"You're fucking kidding, right?"
She sighs, "About what? Tell me what you think I'm joking about. Please, I really want to know."
"You think you can drop a bomb like that and everything is going to be okay?"
She moves so she's sitting on the bed. "Dante, grow the hell up and welcome to the twenty-first century. I am a woman, one that is more than capable of looking after herself, along with running the entire country if I wish. So you have a choice, be an arsehole, or be the Boss.”
I curse her under my breath. I'm not fucking stupid. She'll fucking kill me, or I'll kill her. Damn, why the hell does the thought of her trying to kill me turn me on? Now I understand a hell of a lot more. Why she's been kept under wraps and it had nothing to do with her father. We're all her grandfather's puppets right now. He's the one that orchestrated this marriage, but what I need to know is why.
"Okay, so talk to me. What exactly do you do?"
She raises her brow, looking at me as though I'm a piece of shit and yeah, I probably am with the way I sarcastically asked her what she does.
"Do you mean how I own the drugs in the east? Or the fact that I have over sixty farms to grow that shit worldwide?"
I take my seat beside her on the bed, hoping she doesn't have a weapon on her. "Fuck, Kenna, this isn't how it's supposed to be."
She laughs, "Dante, do you honestly believe that if you had been given a docile woman you'd have been happy? Look at you, you're practically eye fucking me at every chance. Is it the fear of when I'm going to kill you that gets you off?"
I don't give into her bait, she's trying to get me off topic and that's not going to happen. "How many people have you killed?"
She shrugs, "More than I can count. I've been doing this a long time. When you met me the first time, my granda had told me that when I returned to Ireland I'd be put to work. The first man I killed personally was for Kinsley, but I've ordered more than my fair share. Does this really bother you?"
It's my turn to laugh, "Not in the slightest. It's good to know that you can take care of yourself. But I hate that I was kept in the dark."
She nods, "That's good, I can work with that. If you did have a problem then it would get awkward. I've been through hell and back, Dante. Kidnapped, tortured, shot, you name it, it's happened. But I've survived and I'm not a weak woman that needs to be smothered. Try it and I'll smother you while you sleep. I can fight better than most men, because I need to show my men that I'm capable of the job. I can out shoot even the best snipers in the world and I can orchestrate a perfectly well thought out attack on someone in a matter of minutes. I've got men that are loyal to me. So much so that they work for me and haven't divulged my name. Anyone even tries and they'll die."
My respect for my wife has skyrocketed. "Okay, what do you want from me? You have a life, I don't understand why you needed me."
She rolls her eyes once again and I want to spank the shit out of her. "Dante, it's not about needing you. It's about bringing the Irish and Italian's together. It's about having someone who we can trust and be a part of our lives forever. Do I trust you? No, but I have to. So here it is. I've given you one of my biggest secrets, the one that you wanted to know and in doing so I'm showing you that I'm trusting you. Break my trust and I'll break your legs. Burn me and, Dante, I don't give a fuck who your family is. I'll slaughter the lot of you."
"Kenna, the moment I saw you in that fucking bar I wanted to fuck you. Finding out that you were my fiancée made me go on a killing spree."
Her eyes widened, "It was you? You killed the Russians? I thought it was Ace."
"No, baby, that was me. He hurt you, so I ended him."
The smile she gives me now is softer than I've ever seen before. "Damn, Dante," she whispers as she wraps her arms around my neck.
"Fuck, baby, you don't do sweet do you?"
She shakes her head. "Nope, nobody's done anything like that for me."
"Get used to it. You're mine now, Kenna, and I'm not letting you go. That means, all of you is mine. All your secrets and all your dreams. Baby, I'm going to make sure you achieve whatever the hell it is you want."
"Fuck," she whispers, her voice raw and husky. "Dante, don't do this."
I slide my hand to her face, "Do what?" I ask, my mouth inches from hers.
I watch as she swallows hard, "Don't make me fall for you."
Fuck, having her love me isn't something I ever thought of, but I sure as fuck want it. "Tough," I say through a grin. "Things changed a hell of a lot tonight, Kenna, once I uncover all of your secrets, then I'll know that you've fallen for me."
I hear the sharp intake of breath all the way to my cock, "I don't know how to do this. I don't think I have the capability to love someone.
"Bullshit," I counter. "I know you do. You love Kinsley, you love your family."
"But they've been with me from the beginning." She makes it sound so simple.
"Doesn't mean you're not capable of it. I'm not asking you to love me, I'm just telling you to let me in."
She looks at me in wonder, "But, Dante, I have let you in."
I lean forward and kiss her. Her lips are plump and irresistible. "You have, to some degree. I'm not stupid, the things you've told me, you had to. We're married now, I was going to find out eventually."
She nods, "I don't think you're stupid. How about this? I'll tell you something that nobody on this earth knows?"
Like I'd turn that down? I don't know what it is about this woman but she makes me want to know everything about her. I want her more than I have anyone else and fuck if I know why her family have tried to protect her. She's sitting here, the sexiest woman I've ever had, probably the deadliest woman in the state, if not America. Yet as she looks at me, all I see is vulnerability. I know that if I tried to coddle her, as I would have done if she were different, she'd go for my balls. "Of course I want you to tell me."
"Kinsley is my best friend; she has been for as long as I can remember. We do everything together. She knows almost all of my secrets and I probably know roughly the same amount of hers. She told me that her grandfather was beating her and Ace. She was beaten to a pulp and I found her, she couldn't hide it, she was so bad. And honestly, I'm not sure if I hadn't found her would she have shared." I hide my smile when she crawls into my lap and rests her head against my shoulder, releasing a small yawn as she does. "Anyway, I had a plan in place. I'm in and out of the clubhouse just as much as Kinsley is. It's like a second home to me. Anyway, one night Ace came to see me, he said he needed my help."
I tense, wondering what the fuck he needed her help with.
"He wanted me to go to my da and ask him to take care of his grandfather for him. He told me to tell him, he'd owe him a marker. I said I'd ask and to leave it as that. His grandfather died the next day, his coke stash was shit."
"You asked your father?" I'm wondering where she's going with this.
She rests her hand against my chest, just as she did yesterday. "No, I didn't. I already had a plan, I poisoned his stash and waited. I couldn't let him hurt her anymore. To this day, Ace believes that my da was the one to kill his grandfather. Only you know that it was me."
Holy fuck. She killed the president of the Fury Vipers MC.
But he died years ago, meaning she got away with it.
Yet again, she surprises me, I thought she was done talking but I was wrong. "Sometimes, my heart races a little too fast. It's not that I'm scared or anything, it just races. I've never known how to make it stop until yesterday..." She confesses quietly. "I placed my hand right here..." She flexes her fingers on my chest, just over my heart and smiles. "I felt your heart beating and a calmness washed over me. It settled me."
I kiss her again, this time my hand gripping her thigh.
"Hurt me, Dante, and I mean it, I'll kill you."
I have no doubt in my mind that she would do it without losing an ounce of sleep.
"Same goes for you, baby."
She b
links, almost as if the mere thought of hurting me is incomprehensible.
I glide my hand up her thigh to her ass and squeeze, my other hand going to her hair and I pull her closer to my body. "I'm going to fuck you now. Then we're going to get food."
She smiles brightly. "I like your way of thinking." She nips my bottom lip. "Fuck me, Dante."
"My fucking pleasure," I tell her, slanting my mouth over hers and consuming her.
Eight
Makenna
My stomach rumbles as I sit up. Dante’s asleep on his front, his arm thrown over my stomach and his face turned into mine. I didn’t intend to tell him about what I did to Kinsley’s grandfather, nor did I plan on letting him know that he settles me. I don’t trust Dante, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to. But he’s my husband and for some twisted reason, I feel safe around him.
I slide out of the bed trying not to wake him. God, the man is lethal, we spent our entire day in the bedroom and only came up for air when we needed food. Poor Angela has been waiting on all of us. Dante hasn’t told me anything about his past and I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s hurt me and I’m mad at myself for feeling this way. Alessio is still in bed; he’s tried to move but I’ve warned him if he does, I’ll shoot him again. He laughed and thought I was joking, until Dante told him I wasn’t. He’s assured me that he wouldn’t try again, well at least until he’s gathered more strength. Romero has been fixated on his laptop, I’m not sure what he’s searching for but I’ll have Dante find out for me.
“Sneaking out?” his amused voice calls out as I reach for my yoga pants. “Here I thought we’d gotten past this.”
I roll my eyes, the man needs to relax. “This isn’t a one-night stand, Dante, it’s a marriage. I’m not sneaking out. I’m going to check on your brother and get some food. I’m starving. I also need to work today. My darling husband, fancy coming with?”
He chuckles, “Yeah, baby, why not.”
I turn to face him, he’s sitting up, the sheet around his waist showcasing his abs and muscles. “Don’t sound so excited. Besides, today, I’ve got to meet up with Killian.”
His face tightens and it pisses me off that he’s made assumptions about my uncle without having ever met him. We don’t get to criticize anyone, of all people, we don’t have the right to judge. “Am I invited to that meeting?”
I should laugh at the pathetic attempt at acting as though he doesn’t care, but I don’t, I’m tired, annoyed, and hungry. “Sure.” I pull on my tank top and move to the door.
A hand clamps around my waist, and spins me so that I’m facing him. “Want to let me know what’s wrong?”
I sigh, “Why do you think anything’s wrong?”
His eyes narrow at me, oh, looks like I’m pissing him off. “Your tone for starters. Fuck, Makenna, I’m not a damn mind reader, just tell me what the fuck is wrong.”
I push him off me, “You are, arsehole. You expect me to tell you everything and yet, you haven’t told me a damn thing about you. Now, I have to go and check on Alessio before he decides he’s getting out of bed again. And while I’m doing that, maybe, you can check on Romero and see what he’s looking for. Then I’m going to have some breakfast and go to Killian’s, if you and your brothers want to come, you are more than welcome.”
“Fuck!” he roars, but I ignore him and move down the hall to check in on Alessio. I’m surprised to see Romero here.
“Morning,” I say as I step into the room, their heads immediately come up and they both give me chin lifts. “How are you feeling today Alessio?”
He grunts and Romero laughs, “He’s going stir crazy.”
I nod as I walk over to the bed, checking on the bandage. “Do you want to try to shower?”
He looks relieved. “Hell fucking yes.”
“Okay, but leave the door open and Romero will stay here in case you need help. Don’t be stupid, if you feel your energy draining, call him. Otherwise you’ll end up pulling your stitches out, which will mean being on bedrest for a while.”
“Scouts honor.” He grins and I laugh. I watch as he climbs out of the bed, I’m impressed with his speed, but he should be more careful.
“He’s fine, Makenna,” Romero says, not taking his eyes off the laptop screen.
I sigh, “Okay, well when you two are finished, we’ll have breakfast and as long as Alessio hasn’t busted his stitches open, you both can come with me and Dante today.”
Romero raises his brow at me, probably wondering why I’m dishing out orders, but fuck him. It’s my house and my life, I’ll do whatever I want.
“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” I call out to them as I leave the room. The door to my bedroom is closed and I ignore the need to see him, I’ve given enough the past twenty-four hours. So much so, that I’m afraid of losing who I am.
Once I’m in my office, I make some phone calls, firstly, to Kins; I need to check to make sure she’s okay.
“I’m good, Kenna, honestly. Ace got me out of there. How are things going with you? Have you killed any of them yet?”
I laugh, “Not yet, although, the day has just begun.”
“Are you okay?” Her voice is full of worry and I know that she’s been stressing about it.
“I’m grand. I got nicked and it bled for a bit but it’s fine. Dante was ever the gentleman last night.”
I hear her name being called, “Shit, I’ve got to go. Call me later.”
“Yeah, I need to get drunk.”
She giggles, “Hell yes we do. Talk to you later, Kenna.”
I hang up and listen, the shower’s on which is a good sign. Hopefully Alessio is up for a day out, I need to get out of this house, I’m going stir crazy.
My cell rings and I glance down at the screen. Dad is calling.
“Hey, Da, everything okay?”
“That was my line,” He grumbles. “We’re all fine, we wanted to make sure that you were okay.”
“I’m fine, Da, honest.”
“Good, your uncle’s here, and wants to talk to you.” My da isn’t much of a talker when others are around. Killian arrived late, he was supposed to be here a few days ago in time for the wedding, but he’s only just arrived.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later, are we still on for Sunday?”
“Yes, and don’t think you can come up with any bullshit excuses.”
I smile, “I won’t. Promise.”
“Okay, Kenna, I’ll talk to you later,” he says and I wait until he passes the phone to Killian.
“Hey, kiddo, heard about yesterday.”
I roll my eyes, he’s the only one that calls me kiddo. “Yep, guess you were right.”
He coughs, “I’m sorry, can you say that again?”
“No, fuck off, I’m not repeating myself. Your head is big enough as it is, I do not need to stroke your damn ego.” I’m unable to keep the smile off of my face. That’s one of the many things that I love about Killian, he knows how to cheer me up, even if it’s by annoying the hell out of me.
“What was I right about?”
“That marrying the Italian would lead to a bloody wedding.”
I hear a growl just as Killian laughs, glancing up I see Dante, Romero, and Alessio standing in the doorway looking at me.
“You never listen to me, Kenna.”
I roll my eyes, “Hey, you’re going on speaker.” I wave them in, seeing as they’re standing there and have no intentions of moving.
He grunts, “Is that Italian asshole there now?”
“Jesus Christ,” I sigh, why does my family have to have so much hatred for the Italians?
“Makenna Gallagher, do not take the Lord's name in vain.” Killain tries to sound stern but it doesn’t work.
“God help me,” I mutter. “Killian, no matter how hard you try, you and the Lord aren’t ever going to be on good terms.”
He scoffs, “You don’t know that.”
“When was the last time you went to confession?” His silence
is enough of an answer for me. “Probably before I was born.”
“Oh and tell me, wise one, when was the last time you confessed your sins?”
“Last week,” I say with a smile.
“Fucking goody-two-shoes.”
“Jealous much? Anyway, you wanted to talk to me?”
“Are you in a rush?” His voice is full of amusement, he’s bored, and just wanting someone to annoy.
“Yes, I’m starving and I’m about to have breakfast. So what do you want?”
“Are you coming by later?”
I roll my eyes, what the hell? “Yes, I said I was, didn't I?”
“I was just checking, I wanted to make sure that Italian asshole hadn’t tied you to the bed.” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“He’d die if he tried. Now, is that all you wanted?”
“I’ll set up the ring. Oh and Danny boy is here. He’s eager to talk to you. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Yeah, bye.” I hang up and wonder why the hell Danny’s in New York. Hell, why he’s even in America at all.
“Who was that?” Alessio asks as I get to my feet.
“Her uncle.” Dante answers for me and I raise an eyebrow, “I was listening to you.”
I shrug, “We’ll leave here soon enough. Are you okay to come?” I ask Alessio and he smirks, I’ll take that as a yes.
“I was promised breakfast,” Romero grumbles, obviously having had enough of the chatter.
“I was promised a husband, not his entire family, but hey, we all make sacrifices,” I bitch back as I storm ahead and into the kitchen.
“Whoa, what the hell did you do to her?” Alessio questions and I’m not sure who he’s talking to Dante or Romero. “Bro, she’s going to kill you in your sleep,” Alessio laughs.
“I know,” Dante replies, making me smile, at least he knows.
“Good morning, Mrs Bianchi, I have eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast ready. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
I groan as I take a seat at the table. “Yes, please.”
Bloody Union Page 7
