She sighs as she squirms in her seat. Less than five minutes and I’ll be inside of her. “Fuck,” she whimpers.
“Oh, baby, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
She glares at me but I can’t keep the smirk from my face. I’m going to worship every inch of her body, paying close attention to the Gallagher crest tattoo she has on her ass.
Thirteen
Makenna
I take a deep breath as I open the front door to my parent’s house. Romero and Alessio are a step behind Dante and I. I’m actually nervous about what’s going to happen today, but there’s not much that I can do. I’m here an hour before Killian and Danny are due to arrive as I need to talk to my da in private.
Things between Dante and I are amazing. Our relationship has gotten stronger and stronger. . It’s been three days since I met with Killian and Danny, four days since Dante and I have been married and yet it feels like years. We’re getting closer and I can feel myself falling for him. It’s stupid, but I can’t help it. If he betrays me, it’ll destroy me and I’ll kill him.
“Hello? Anyone home?” I call out as I step into the hall and Alessio closes the door behind him.
“Nope,” Finn replies and I smile. “You’re early, Ma’s panicking.”
I roll my eyes, “I’m early ‘cause I need to talk to Da, where is he?”
“What? Am I not good enough?” Finn grins at me and this is why I return every Sunday. Things between us Gallagher children are easy and we all love each other.
“Shut it,” Da tells him as he steps into the hall. “She wants her da.” He pulls me into his arms, obviously not giving a shit that the Bianchi’s are here.
“Do you have some time? I need to talk to you,” I ask as I nibble on my bottom lip. I hate feeling this way, I’m not usually like this, but I hate the thought of my da being disappointed in me. I’m still his little girl, hell I always will be.
“For you, always.” He leads me toward his office.
Dante, Romero, Alessio are behind us. Dante made it clear that he’d be with me when talking to my da, I think he believes that my da will hurt me when he finds out the truth.
Once we’re in the office, Da takes a seat and I take one opposite. The door closes and I turn to see not only are Dante and his brothers here, but mine are also. Great, just what I need, an audience.
“What’s going on Makenna?” Da’s voice is hard, he’s not usually like this with me, but I see the worry in his eyes.
“You’re not going to like what I’m about to tell you and I’m sorry for that.”
His nostrils flare and his eyes flash with warning. “Start talking,” he demands as he sits back in his chair and glares at Dante.
“After what happened to me, Killian thought it would be best to train me. He didn’t want me to be vulnerable…”
“He did what?” Dad grinds out, his jaw clenched.
“Da…” I tell him giving him a look, he sighs and waves for me to continue. “Anyway, when Killian thought I was trained enough, he took me to Ireland. Granda decided that Killian had done a great job that I’d be best served coming back here and taking over the business.”
Da gets to his feet, his palms slamming down on the table as his chair topples over. “Over my fucking dead body!” he roars, his torso leaning forward as he glares at me.
I get to my feet. “Too late, Da. I’ve been running the east coast since I was seventeen. I know you don’t like it, but there’s nothing you can do about it. You rule New York, I rule the rest of the east coast. I wouldn’t have told you except Granda is coming over next month and wants a meeting with everyone.”
Da lets out a low growl. “Kenna…” he says and my heart hurts for him, he sounds tortured. “This life, it’s…”
“I know, Da,” I say interrupting him. “I know first-hand what it is, I’ve been on both ends of this world and I’m here standing. Don’t make me out to be this perfect little girl. I’m far from it.”
He sighs, his jaw clenches and he rights his chair. “I didn’t want this for you,” he tells me as he sits down. “But from everything I’ve heard from my men, the Boss of the east coast is a fucking monster.”
I smirk at his words. Yeah, I’m the bitch, I’ll make my men pay if they fuck up and if anyone tries to hurt the family, they won’t get the chance to live to regret it.
“You can’t be serious?” Finn snaps and this is why I wanted it to be just Da, my brothers are over emotional when it comes to me. Finn especially as he was the one that found me lying in a pool of blood. “Da, what the fuck?”
Da shakes his head, “I don’t like this, not one bit.”
I get to my feet again, Dante’s hand is on my hip instantly and I love that he’s right here with me. “I’m sorry, but that’s something you’re going to have to take up with Granda.”
“So you’re really the Boss of the east coast?” Cian asks with a grin.
I roll my eyes, “What do you want?”
He throws his head back and laughs, “Always so distrusting.”
I flip him the bird and turn my attention back to my da. “I know you’re pissed, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. You sent me away. Killian did what he thought was best and then Granda took over.”
“I’ll talk to your Grandfather about this.”
I shrug, “You do that, it’s not going to change anything, Da. Just the same way it’s not going to change that Denis rules Ireland. Or that Granda is wanting to take over the mid-west and wants Liam to rule that and wants Hayden to be Underboss of Chicago.”
His eyes widen a fraction before he composes himself and then he slowly nods. “Okay, I take it your husband knows about this?”
I roll my eyes, “Of course he does, Da.”
“Wait, who’s Denis?” Patrick questions looking between Da and I.
We both ignore him. “Look, Da, I get it, you’re pissed. But nothing is going to change what’s happened, what I am. You need to deal with it and then we can move on to more pressing matters.”
Just like that, my da changes, gone is the pissed off father, in his place is the Boss. “What’s happened?”
I sigh, thank God, he’s moved on from that. “We found out that the ambush at our wedding was actually a betrayal. One of the henchmen for the Famiglia hit the deck before the shooting even started. We need to find out who he’s working for and then take them down.”
“We?” Patrick echoes and I glare at him. “Makenna, you can’t be serious.”
I lift my boot and slide my hand in, my fingers connecting with the handle of my knife. In one swift move, I lift the knife from my boot and throw it across the room. It pierces Patrick’s shirt, just above his shoulder and embeds both his shirt and the tip of the knife in the wall. “Next time you question me, I will go for your throat.”
My brothers all stare at me as though they’ve never seen me before. I ignore them and focus on my da, who’s grinning like a lunatic. “We’ll figure out who the fuck is betraying Dante, then we’ll deal with it. You may be a Bianchi, son, but you’re now a Gallagher too. We take care of our own.”
The doorbell sounds and Da frowns, he has no idea what’s about to happen. Glancing at my watch I see that Killian and Danny are fifteen minutes early.
“Um, Da…” I say but it’s too late, the office door opens and in strolls my uncle and nephew.
“Seamus,” Killian says with a grin.
Danny has a grin on his face and I bite the inside of my lip to stop myself from smiling. “Granda,” Danny says with a nod of the head.
Da’s face is slack as he takes in Danny. Anyone with a fucking brain can see that Danny’s related to us, he’s the image of Denis, who looks like Da.
“Da, this is Denis’ son, Danny,” I say making the introductions.
“Fuck,” Killian comments as he stares at my da.
“Get over here,” Da grunts to Danny and I watch on as he walks over to my father and gets pulled into a hug. “Fuck, it’s good to
see you.”
When my da releases him, Danny walks over to me and throws his arm over my shoulder. “You okay?” he asks and I nod. “You tell him?”
“Yeah, Danny, I told him. What about you, you get that thing sorted?”
He grins, “Yep, I called Da and told him, then I called Melissa. She’s pissed to say the least but we’re getting married. I’ve to deal with that arsehole of a brother of hers when I get back. But you were right.”
Killian groans, “Don’t fucking tell her that.”
I laugh, “I always am.”
Danny rolls his eyes, “And so modest too.”
“What the hell are we missing?” Finn asks and I turn to Da and see him staring at Danny and me.
Taking a deep breath I steady myself to tell them the story. “When I went to Ireland, I was shocked. When Da was seventeen, he fell in love. This woman was the love of his life and if Da had the choice, she’d have been the woman that he married but he was already engaged to our mother. Anyway, this woman got pregnant and because she was unwed and only seventeen, she was sent to a home where pregnant women go.”
I turn to Danny and see he’s looking down at me with a smile on his face. Glancing back at Da, I find him with his head bowed as he sits in his chair. “Da was forced to marry Mom, even though he didn’t want to. Granda had already promised her parents they’d be married and well we all know what happens when you renege on a promise.” I turn to my brothers and find them starting at me, their attention on me as they wait for me to finish the story.
“So when the woman came home, she had a baby with her. Denis. By this time, Mom had demanded that Da leave Ireland and to come here where they started a new life. Mom didn’t want Denis to be a part of our lives and Da agreed.”
“What the fuck?” Cian growls as he glares at Da.
“Yeah, so we have a brother. He’s forty. He’s the one that rules Ireland, and he’s cool as fuck. This is his eldest son, Danny, he also has five other children. Malcolm rules Spain and I’m pretty sure Holly will be moving here soon,” I inform them, knowing that Da has no idea about any of this. Or so I thought, but looking at him now and remembering his interaction with Danny, I realize I was wrong. Da knew about Dan. But how?
“Denis and I have been in contact recently, he’s told me all about his family, although he did leave out that he’s met you,” Da explains, probably seeing the confusion on my face.
I nod, “Danny, these are my brothers. Finn, Patrick, and Cian. Guys, this is your nephew, Danny.”
Danny removes his arm from my shoulder and I take a step backward into Dante’s arms. He kisses the top of my head and I shiver at his touch.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Danny says as he shakes their hands.
“Same,” Cian replies with a smile that helps me relax; things between them are going to be fine.
There’s a knock on the office door and I know it's’ Ma. “Dinner is ready,” she tells us, not coming in. She’s not allowed, this is Da’s space.
“Coming,” Da replies and starts shooing us out of the room.
Once we’re in the dining room we all take a seat. Ma has the servers bring out the food. Everyone’s silent, probably trying to wrap their heads around what they’ve just found out.
“This is fantastic,” Danny says taking another bite of food. “Thanks Granny.”
I bite my lip to stop the laughter from bubbling out. Killian chuckles and my brothers are trying their best to hide their laughter.
Ma gasps as her hand comes up to rest on her chest. I roll my eyes at her dramatics.
“Oh, Danny, you should tell them your news,” I say with the biggest grin on my face and Killian’s chuckle turns into full laughter.
Danny’s eyes widen and he grins. “Oh yeah, so, I’m getting married and Melissa’s pregnant. You’re going to be a great granda and great granny.”
Ma’s gasp is even more audible and Da stares at us like we’re crazy.
“Da, he’s being serious. You’re going to be a great-granda.”
He smiles brightly and that has the rest of us laughing. Finn, Patrick, and Cian can’t hold their laughter back, Cian’s wiping his eyes where the tears are.
“God, this is hilarious. So, Ma, you ready to be a great granny?”
“What the hell? Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” Ma demands as she glances around the table.
“You may remember my granny? Lisa Morland.”
I’ve never seen my ma look so pale in my life. “What the hell are you doing here?” she demands.
“I invited him. After all, he is my nephew. If anyone shouldn’t be here, it’s you.”
She snarls at me, “Don’t be a bitch.”
I laugh, “Really, Ma? You really want to go there?”
“Makenna, I don’t think this is the time,” Killian tells me and I realize he knows what’s happened.
“Someone had better tell me what the hell is going on,” Da says looking between mom and I.
“Nothing, Seamus,” Ma says as she goes back to eating.
“It’s obviously not nothing. Fucking answer me,” he demands, his hand slamming down onto the table making her jump.
“What I really want to know,” Finn begins, “is why Makenna hates you.”
I sigh, this isn’t what we should be discussing. I was pissed that she was being a bitch to Danny.
“Leave it alone, Finn, this has nothing to do with you,” Ma says softly, trying her hardest to move the conversation onto something else. “So, Danny, what do you do?”
Danny glares at her. “Fuck you.”
“Oh Jesus,” Killian mutters. “Danny boy, did you really have to say that?”
Danny nods, “Yes, she’s a fucking cunt and while I know why Makenna never said anything, I don’t understand it. If it were me, I’d have gutted her where she stood.”
“Danny,” I warn, he’s pushing this now and it’s not the bloody time.
“Holy fuck!” Finn growls, “It was you?”
“Finn, not now,” Killian warns.
“What’s going on, Killian?” I ask, he’s not wanting this to blow up. I get it, I know what’s going to happen but this is Killian, the man kills for fun.
He sighs, “Your Granda wants to sort her out.” Ma gasps as tears spring to her eyes. “But that’s not going to happen now. Fucking hell. I shouldn’t have worn my good shoes.”
“What the hell am I missing?” Da asks, glaring around the table.
To my surprise it’s Dante that answers him. “What the other’s know that you don’t is who it was that slit Makenna’s throat.”
Da’s eyes flash. “Tell me now,” he grinds out and I’ve never seen him so angry. His hands are shaking, his nostrils are flaring and he looks as though he’s going to cry.
“Tell me.”
“It was Ma,” Finn says and the room is filled with silence. You can hear a pin drop.
“It was you?” Da growls as he gets to his feet. “You’re the one that tried to kill my daughter?”
“Seamus, I’m sorry, it was a mistake,” Ma says as she gets to her feet, trying to worm her way out of it.
I throw my fork onto the table and sit back in my chair. There’s no way I’m eating after this shit.
“Mistake? Tell me what the fuck happened!” he tells her as he advances on her. “Start talking, now,” he demands as he boxes her in.
“I was having an affair,” she tells him softly, but Da doesn’t give a fuck about that right now. “Makenna found out and he was mad. He hurt her and demanded that I finish her off. If I didn’t, then he was going to tell you and he’d have killed her.”
“So you slit her fucking throat? That is your daughter. You should have come to me, I would have protected her,” Da yells as the tears stream down Ma’s face. “Who was it? Hmm, who meant more to you than our daughter?”
Ma doesn’t answer him and Da loses his patience, he puts his fist into the wall behind her causing her to
squeal.
“Someone tell me who the fucking bastard was?” Da demands and my heart sinks. This is why I never said anything, my da is beyond angry. I know there’s no coming back from this.
“It was my father,” Dante tells him and Da loses it.
He pulls out his knife from his pant leg and slices it across ma’s throat, slitting it from ear to ear. The shock on Ma’s face as she realizes what’s happened is karma. She doesn't make a sound as she falls to the floor in a heap, her eyes wide open as Da turns to face us. His eyes are wild; anger, pain, disgust, and worry feature heavily in them.
I turn to Finn, he’s panting, his fist clenched and jaw tight as he stares down at our mother’s dead body. He’s not able to take his eyes off her. Looking at Patrick, I see his gaze on the floor, his brows pinched and I see a tear fall down his face. Out of all of us, he was the one that was closest to her. My attention turns to Cian, he is very much like Finn, his chest heaving as he stares widely at the scene in front of him.
I’m numb but relief washes over me. She’s no longer going to have the opportunity to hurt me again. I should feel something—guilt, anger, pain. But I don’t, I feel bad that my brothers are hurting, that my da’s hurting, but I’m not. I’m glad the bitch is dead.
“Your father isn’t going to know what hit him,” my da says.
Dante nods, “I already have a plan in place.”
Da grins. “Good, I want in. No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it.”
I’m pretty sure there was a threat in there somewhere.
“We’re the motherfucking Gallagher’s,” Da says. “We’re the ones that strike fear into everyone when they hear our name. We don’t keep secrets and we certainly don’t fucking keep secrets when it concerns my daughter.”
Killian shrugs, “Kenna didn’t want you to know and I was never around. I let it be, your boys loved their ma.”
“I don’t give a fuck. That woman should have paid the consequences a long fucking time ago.” Da stomps over to his chair and sits down, picking up his whiskey glass as he does.
“No more secrets, no more lies,” he tells us. “We’re a family, stronger than ever. We’re going to fucking rule the world, that includes being as one with the Italians. To new beginnings and being the motherfucking monsters we were born to be.”
Bloody Union Page 12
