“Fuck, Kenna.” Dante’s voice is husky and full of heat. “When I get you home, I’m not letting you up for air. I hope you fill your belly now, it’s the only chance you’ll get today.”
I laugh as Maddie places our plates onto the table in front of us. “If you guys need anything, just yell.”
“Thanks, Mad,” I tell her as I pick up my knife and fork.
“Anytime, Kenna. Enjoy.” She saunters off and I bite my lip as I notice that Alessio watches her ass sway as she walks away.
“What’s the catch?” Romero asks and I smile, he’s smart as hell. “I’m not stupid, Makenna. I know you wouldn’t offer me the position if there wasn’t something in it for you.”
“Actually there’s nothing in it for me,” I reply instantly. “The position is yours, you’ll have to deal with the ignorance of the Irish men. They will not want an Italian leading them. It’s bad enough that I’m married to one.” I turn to Dante. “Their words, not mine,” I tell him in hopes of softening the blow. “But ultimately, Romero, it’s your decision. You could marry an Irish woman. It would give you the respect that not marrying one would have. It would also mean you’re part of the family and all the perks that come with it.”
He’s silent, carefully watching me, so I say what I need to and then leave him be. “Look, I don’t care if you hate that I’m the Boss. It doesn’t bother me. I haven’t offered you this position because you’re my husband's brother. If it were that reason, I’d offer Alessio the position too. You have a lot of potential, Romero, and right now, you’re standing in the shadows when you really shouldn’t be. Dante is going to lead, that was a given, but you? You deserve to forge your own path. I’m giving you that opportunity. As I said, you can go it alone or you can marry a Gallagher. We’re not all raving psychopaths. Some of us are more docile than others. The choice is yours; just think about it and let me know.”
I start eating, and let what I’ve just said linger in the air. If Romero is smart he’ll take the position and the opportunity to marry into the family. I have the perfect person lined up for him. She’s sweet and soft, she’ll bring out his protective instincts.
Twelve
Dante
Everyone is silent as we finish our food. Romero’s still in shock, I was surprised that she offered him the position, but it makes sense. I also believe that she has a hidden agenda and when I get home, I’m going to find out what the hell she actually wants.
“Are we going to Makenna’s or are we going to ours?” Alessio asks and I don’t answer. After spending just a night in Makenna’s house, I don’t want to go back to my fucking apartment.
“You can stay with me until I find a bigger house,” she says not lifting her eyes from her cell. She’s been engrossed in whatever the hell is on the screen for the past five minutes.
“Bigger house?” Romero echoes.
She sighs as she taps her phone and places it down onto the table. She finally looks up. “Yes, a bigger house. I may only be married to your brother for a day, but I know that you three share a bond and that means your asses are where we are. So yes, I’m going to find a bigger house, something that all four of us can live in and we won’t be ready to kill each other within a few days.”
Both of my brothers stare at her, the respect they have for her isn’t just because she’s the Boss. We’ve only been married for twenty four hours but she’s shown us who she is and how loyal she is. From saving Alessio and not breaking a sweat, to sharing her home with us all, giving Romero a position that means he’ll have power and not just as my brother, but now, she wants to get a house where we all can live.
She says she doesn’t know how to love but she does, every single thing she’s done for us so far has been out of love. Oh, I know that she’d never admit it, hell most of the time she glares at Romero like she wants to kill him, but deep down she cares and for that reason alone, we’ll always have her back.
“Kenna, would you like anything else?” the server asks and I see Alessio giving her his panty-dropping smile.
“No, thanks, Mads,” Kenna replies with a smile.
The server nods and picks up our empty plates then walks away.
“Owww. What the fuck?” Alessio glares at Makenna who’s smiling sweetly at him. “Why the hell did you kick me?”
She raises a brow at his tone, “Keep your eyes to yourself, arsehole. She is not someone you fuck with.” Her voice is darker and harder than I have ever heard before.
Alessio glares at her, he’s always hated someone telling him who he can and can’t fuck.
Makenna reaches for my hand under the table and squeezes. “Listen to me, Alessio. Maddie is my friend, she’s not just some random woman you can fuck. She’s had enough of arseholes to last her a lifetime. You want a quick screw, go find someone else, I’m sure there’s plenty of willing women. Just not her.”
The table is silent as we wait for either of them to say something. When Alessio sits back in his chair, I know that he’s not going to respond to her. She turns to me, a small smile on her face. “Ready to go?”
I nod and slide out of the booth pulling her with me, her smile widens and she leans into my body. Her softness and curves makes my dick stir, as it does whenever I’m around her. “You okay, baby?”
Her eyes flash with irritation, “Baby?”
Ah so that’s what she’s pissed about. “What would you like me to call you?” I ask as we leave the restaurant.
“I can name a few,” Romero comments. “Psycho is the most obvious one.”
Makenna’s lips twitch, “It takes one to know one, Romero.”
He scoffs, “Please, I’m perfectly normal in comparison.”
Both Alessio and I chuckle at their banter, Makenna throws her head back and laughs, “Wrong. I’m well-adjusted to what I am Romero. I don’t hide behind the darkness, in fact, I embrace it. It’s who I am, who we all are. Let your crazy come out to play sometime.” She fucking winks at him leaving him standing there slack-jawed, watching her walk away.
I slap him on the back as Makenna climbs into the car. “What the hell?” he mutters once she closes the door. “How the hell does she know so much about us?”
I walk around to the front of the car, “I have no idea. What I have learned is that she’s fucking smart, intuitive, and savvy. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s done a whole lot of research before marrying me. After what Dad did to her, I wouldn’t put it past her. Know your enemy and all that.”
He nods and we climb into the car.
“I did research you. All of you,” she says once she pulls into traffic letting me know that she heard our conversation. “But I know more by observing. Romero, you’re the quiet one. You’ve stood in the shadows of your brother for too long.”
“Look, Kenna,” he says and I know from him calling her by her name, he likes her. Not that I didn’t already know, but having him call her Kenna cements that. “I get that you’re a badass, but you know nothing about me.”
She nods, but her face is void of emotion. “Okay, if you say so.”
“Oh, wise one, enlighten me,” he quips as he rolls his eyes.
Makenna’s lips twitch. “Fine,” she spits. “You’re the middle child, the one that was overlooked. Your mom, because Alessio was the youngest, meaning she spent more time with him than you. Your father, because he was grooming Dante to take over the empire. You had to find your ground and you did, but not in the way you had thought.”
“Keep going,” he says, his jaw clenched tight.
“I don’t know what happened, but I can guess. How old were you when you killed first?” she asks but she doesn’t let him answer. “My guess, you were young, probably not even a teenager. It shaped you, made you believe that you had something inside that needed caging. You may have even been told that.”
He nods and I glance at Alessio, he’s watching enthralled, but wary, we didn’t know this about Romero. “Mom was the first one to find me after I had killed the me
n.”
Makenna sighs, “What did she tell you?”
“That I was a monster, that whatever was inside was evil just like our dad.” His words are cold and even though he’s hiding it, I can tell that what our mother said stuck with him.
Makenna’s grip on the steering wheel tightens. “You are not a monster. We are not monsters. What we do isn’t easy. Not everyone could do it. Look I’m not blowing smoke up your ass, you’re Dante’s brother and I could have left you and not asked you to take over one of my cities, but I have. You can control your emotions, you’re able to keep cool despite what’s going on around you, and if need be, you’re able to kill without hesitation. That’s not being a monster.”
Silence fills the car. I look at my wife, she’s fucking beautiful and she’s right. Romero has more potential than what he’s been given.
“What is it called then?” Alessio asks.
“It’s called being made. It’s what we do. It’s who we are. It’s ingrained in us from a young age. Sometimes, people are born with it, like Alessio and Dante. And other times, we’re shaped to become them, like Romero and I are. The difference between us and them, is when we cross the line, there’s no coming back.”
“How far have you gone?” Romero asks and it’s as though they’re talking another language because I have no idea what the hell they’re talking about.
“Further than you. I’ve killed more men than I can count. Including family.”
Romero nods and sits back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest and closes his eyes. “What do you think would be the best course of action to take over as the Underboss of Connecticut?”
My lips twitch, good, he’s finally taking this seriously.
“Are you asking me or Dante?” she asks him as she glances at me looking confused.
“Both of you. I want to know what you both think.”
I nod, “I think it’s a great move. You should have been made an Underboss already and the fact that you haven’t is our father’s way of pulling your strings. It’s bullshit. Makenna’s giving you the opportunity to do what you should have been doing all along. Take it. As for the best course of action—do you see yourself falling in love?”
He laughs. “No, fuck, no. We don’t do that shit,” he tells me and I catch the hurt that flashes through Makenna’s eyes.
“Sometimes it sneaks up on you,” I tell him while looking at my wife. I never thought I’d love someone but in the past twenty four hours that thought has vanished. Makenna has gotten under my skin and pierced my dead heart.
“For you to gain respect from the men, I recommend you marry Holly. You met her brother today. It would mean that you’re stronger as you’re tied to the Gallagher family, giving you their full backing. You’d be the husband of the great-granddaughter of the Mafia. But ultimately Romero, you’re going to have to lead these men. Show them that you’re not a fucking fool. Show them your dark side and fucking embrace it.”
“Have you spoken to your grandfather about this?” he asks and I don’t interrupt. It’s going to be his position and he only should come to the decision.
If it were anyone else other than Makenna offering him the position over the Irish Mafia I’d have told him fuck no and put a bullet in their head. But it’s her and I know that she’s only wanting to build her empire, and by doing so, she wants the best of the best defending her.
“Yes, I wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t run it past Granda, he agrees that Holly would be the perfect choice. You being Underboss for me is my decision and mine alone. That wasn’t ran past anyone.”
He sighs as he scrubs a hand down his face, he’s frustrated.
“Romero, you have twenty-four hours to give me an answer. If you decide to marry Holly, Granda will set the engagement up and you’ll have a quick wedding. If you don’t want to marry Holly and do want to be my Underboss then you’ll be introduced at the next meeting we have.”
Romero nods, “Thank you.”
She ignores his thanks and turns to me. “Are you ready for the shit storm that’s about to happen?” I take her hand and hold tight, “Da’s going to go mental.”
“He’ll be fine, once he gets over the shock. Besides, you’ve already set it up to have Danny turn up. It’ll be fine. What can he do?” If he even thinks about hurting her, I’ll end him. I don’t give a fuck.
She nods, “I spoke to both Danny and Killian about that fucker Kurt and they’re both working on it. Killian has enough contacts to find out anything I need and Danny, well that arsehole, is useful in his own way.”
“What’s up with Danny anyway?” Alessio asks, “You and he are really close.”
Makenna’s eyes narrow. “Yeah, and?” Her Irish accent is thicker, I’ve come to learn when she’s annoyed or pissed off her accent gets heavier and thicker. Hell when she was talking with Danny and Killian, her accent was thick and fast.
Alessio grins, “I just meant how did you become so close. You’re not siblings.”
She shrugs, “When I was in Ireland, I stayed in Denis’ house. Danny, Malcolm, and Holly are all older than me. Well Holly is a few months older than me. We’re all really close. There’s no rivalry as we’re all doing what we want to. I run the east coast, Danny runs the UK, Mal runs Spain, and Holly, well that woman makes sure that our money is safe. She has a legitimate business and makes investments for all of us. If you were to marry her, she’d set up a business over here.”
She glances in the rear-view mirror and whatever she sees makes her sigh. “I’m not a bitch to everyone. Especially not my family unless they warrant it. I don’t like people, I fucking hate most of them and I’m a woman ruling a man’s world. Those men that are below me constantly try to test me, hence why my Granda thought marriage would help. He was sick of me killing my men.”
I know that it makes sense having us married but hearing her detail why pisses me off.
“Any more questions?”
“Yeah, just how old is your brother?” Romero asks with a grin.
“Denis is forty, Fin is thirty three, Patrick is twenty nine, and Cian is twenty-five. Denis’ children are: Danny, twenty-two, Malcolm, twenty-one and, Holly is twenty. Then there’s a break, and the next range from thirteen to six months.”
“Jesus,” Romero mutters.
“Yep, tell me about it. Now Danny’s starting.” She shakes her head, but not in disgust, she looks disappointed.
“Romero and Alessio, are you coming home with us or do you need me to drop you off somewhere?” She squeezes my hand and I watch the heat spread through her cheeks.
“Drop them off at our apartment, they can come back later this evening,” I tell them and she smiles at me. “I want you to find out who the fuck Kurt works for,” I instruct my brothers.
They nod, “I’ll talk to our father. See what he has to say, you know what he’s like, if I make out that Makenna’s being a bitch it’ll loosen his lips,” Romero tells me and I caress Makenna’s hand with my thumb.
“When we find out who is behind it, we’re going to end them all,” Alessio tells us.
“It would be the perfect way to get rid of your father,” Makenna says softly. “Pretend that Kurt killed him, that your father found out that Kurt was behind the hit at the wedding. After all, Alessio was shot, your father was outraged and confronted Kurt when he discovered the betrayal. Kurt, who is already fucked, did what any man who’s fighting for their life does. He shoots your father and kills him. Then, you take out Kurt for not only shooting Alessio and I, but also killing your father. You had to put him down. Case closed, everyone mourns that fucking arshole, no one knows that you killed him and you get to become Capo.” She gives me a bright smile, she’s a fucking genius.
“Holy shit that could actually work,” Alessio grunts.
Makenna’s lips turn up in disgust, “Of course it will work,” she sneers, probably pissed that he was shocked that she came up with it.
“It’s fucking brilliant and it’s wha
t we’ll do. No one is going to see it coming. We’re all going to be focused on finding out what the hell happened at the wedding and getting revenge on the Bratva. Nobody is going to be looking at us and our father,” I tell her and I’m rewarded as she smiles at me, her eyes full of brightness.
Makenna pulls up out front of our apartment building. “Are you going with them?” There’s a slight hesitancy in her voice, I fucking hate it.
“No, I’m staying with you. Always.” The relief in her eyes would bring a better man down. “Romero will grab the bag I have packed.”
“Okay,” she says softly.
“Makenna?” Romero says as he’s getting out of the car. She turns to look at him and I do the same. “Set up the wedding.” He closes the car door behind him and walks toward the apartment.
“You knew he’d say yes, didn’t you?” I ask her as she drives off.
“Yes, what Romero doesn’t know is that my Granda is hell bent on taking over the entire USA, he wants every state to be run by the Irish. Holly is Irish, she’s a woman who wasn’t trained as I was, but her husband and any husband of the women born a Gallagher will take over as Underboss. But Romero has skills that could see him as Boss. Skills that would put him ahead of any of the other married made men.”
Holy fuck, Romero would fucking love that. It’s something he would never have thought off.
“Dante, you’ll be Boss soon enough. Have you thought about doing the same as my Granda has?”
“Taking over more than the east coast?” She nods. “No, I haven’t, but I’m also not going to dismiss the idea either.”
“You want to take over the world, I’d stand by your side and take everyone down as you do,” she tells me with a soft smile.
Fuck. Hearing those words makes my chest burn. “When I get you home, I’m going to fuck you, Kenna.”
Her breathing deepens as her cheeks flush. “Dante.”
I grin, “Yeah, baby, that’s what you’re going to say when you scream out your release.”
Bloody Union Page 11
