Bloody Union

by Brooke Summers

  We all raise our glasses as we toast. I glance back at my ma who’s still on the floor with her eyes open and for the first time since I was twelve I feel a little relief, and yet I know the worst is yet to come.

  Fourteen

  Dante

  It’s been three days since Makenna’s father found out the truth about what happened to his daughter and did what any father would do. Killed the bitch that hurt her. Seamus has so many cops on his payroll that he managed to have her death swept under the rug. No one is going to go down for it. It’s the way it is in the Mafia. If we know the right people, have them on our payroll, everything can go away. The more money you have the better your life is. It’s a fact.

  Today, we’re going to the funeral. It’s a fucking farce and if I had the choice, I’d burn the bitch’s body and leave it as that. But Seamus and Makenna both agreed for the sake of Finn, Patrick, and Cian they’d hold a service for her. Since Makenna has to be in attendance, I will be as well.

  “Babe,” I say as she steps into the bedroom. She’s wearing black matching underwear, it’s lacy and she looks sexy as fuck.

  She turns to glare at me before pulling on her black heels. “Dante, don’t. You’ve already fucked me twice this morning. We have to get ready otherwise we’re going to be late.”

  “I don’t give a fuck. Kenna, after everything that bitch did to you, how the hell are you even calm?”

  She walks over to me and my dick twitches. Seeing her in just her underwear and heels makes me want to throw her onto the bed and fuck her into complete oblivion. Her hand rests on my chest and she takes a deep breath. I’m completely gone for this woman, there’s no if, buts, or maybes. Makenna Bianchi owns me heart and soul. Her other hand rests on my jaw. “Are you going to be by my side?”

  “Of course,” I scoff. Did she think I wouldn't be?

  “That’s why I’m calm. Fuck, Dante. We’ve been together for a week. A fucking week and it feels as though we’ve been together for a lifetime. Whatever the hell it is between us is real.”

  “It is, real, raw, and fucking passionate. You’re it for me, Makenna,” I tell her honestly and watch as she closes her eyes. I rest my forehead against hers. “I’m serious, I’m not going to lose you, Makenna. I’m going to spend the rest of our lives showing you just how much you mean to me.”

  “You’ve accepted me from the get go. You never dismissed me and for that alone I do trust you. You want to care for me, protect me, cherish me…”

  “Love you,” I tell her and her eyes flare with wariness and fear, but also with hope. “Yeah, babe, I fucking love you.”

  She shakes her head, “It’s too soon.”

  I grip her face between my hands. “Fuck too soon. It’s not. I’d die for you. When I met you I knew you were different. Seeing you in that fucking bar, I was drawn to you and I didn’t know why. Since then all you have shown me is how loyal, faithful, and fucking amazing you are. There was no way that I couldn’t love you.”

  She looks up at me and I see the vulnerability shine through her. She looks beautiful. “I love you too,” she whispers. And that right there is why I’d give my life for this woman. She doesn't bullshit me. She’s open and honest, just lets me know whatever she’s thinking. No games. Not with me.

  I crash my lips against hers and she melts into me. “I’m your husband, I’m also the man that loves you. It’s ingrained in me to protect you, but I also know that you’re the Boss.”

  She smiles brightly at me, her eyes light up as she does, she’s fucking gorgeous. “We’re the Boss,” she corrects me.

  “We’re the Boss and I’d never do anything to undermine you, just as you wouldn’t with me. I’m not going to hurt you or betray you. What I want is for us to build a life together.” My hands slide down her body to her ass and I pull her flush against my erection.

  “Talking about building a life together, is there something you want to tell me?” She has a smile on her face. I don’t think I’ve seen her this carefree before.

  I nip at her lip and her hips push against me. “What are you talking about babe?”

  She moans when I bite her neck gently. “I’m not on birth control and you’ve not once used a condom. Are you trying to get me pregnant?”

  My body tightens at her words. I realize that she’s right, we’ve not once used any form of contraception. “Are you opposed to children?” I ask cautiously, feeling like an asshole. I should have realized this.

  “I’m not opposed. Don’t worry about it, if it happens it happens.”

  I relax, “Good, because there’s no way I’m wearing a condom. Nothing gets in between us. Ever.”

  She grins at me. “A little caveman-ish, don’t you think?”

  I chuckle, “You’re my wife, Makenna, that means you’re mine.”

  She rolls her eyes. “You’re a Neanderthal. I’ve got to get dressed.” She raises up onto her toes and kisses my lips gently. “Love you,” she whispers and I deepen the kiss.

  She pulls away and I can see the reluctance in her eyes. “I need to get ready. Please, will you go see if your brother has found anything out yet?”

  I reach for my suit jacket, giving her one last kiss before I leave our bedroom.

  “How is she?” Romero asks as I walk into the sitting room. He’s sitting on the sofa with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

  “As well as can be expected.”

  He narrows his eyes at me. “What happened? You look…”

  “Lighter,” Alessio comments from the armchair, he too has a glass of whiskey in his hand.

  I ignore them both. “You finally admitted you love her, huh?” Romero comments.

  “Jealous that no one loves you?” Makenna says as she waltzes into the room.

  Alessio glares at her. “I need to put a damn bell on you.”

  I smirk, I like that she and my brothers get along. “Romero, my Granda’s in town, he wants to talk to you about your marriage to Holly.”

  Romero sits up straighter. “What does he want?”

  Makenna shrugs. “I have no idea. He doesn’t know what my plans are for you, all he knows is that you’re agreeable to the union with Holly.”

  Romero nods and takes a sip of his drink.

  “Have you looked her up yet?” I ask and see Makenna smirk, she’s not told me anything about the woman she’s setting my brother up with. All I know is that she’s her niece.

  “Not yet. Why?”

  Alessio laughs. “In case she’s fucking ugly. Knowing your luck, you’d get stuck with the runt of the family.”

  “You mean like you are?” Makenna fires back and Romero throws his head back and laughs, it’s one thing I’ve learned about her she’s fiercely protective of her family. She scrolls through her cell phone and hands it to Romero. “All you had to do was ask. The redhead is Holly.”

  I watch Romero’s reaction carefully, he’s good at hiding it but I see the shock along with the sharp intake of breath. He hands Makenna back her phone and she in turn shows me the image. There are three young girls in the picture, along with Makenna and Holly, the other girl looks similar to Holly and must be her sister. She’s cute if you like the red hair and freckles, she’s also innocent, you can see it written all over her. That’s something that Romero would like, he likes his women docile and compliant.

  “Romero, did you find out anything?” I ask him as Makenna reaches for her purse.

  He shakes his head. “Not yet, it’s fucking driving me insane. I’m fucking pissed off that someone has managed to get one over on us.”

  “We get this funeral over and done with, then we’re going to find out who the fuck tried to take us out. Once we do, we’re going to make them see what happens when you fuck with a Gallagher or a Bianchi.”

  I smirk, my wife is bloodthirsty. “It’s time to go,” I tell her and she nods, I underestimate her constantly. When I think she’s going to crumble she doesn’t; instead, she grows stronger.

  Three hours late
r, we’re sitting in Seamus’ sitting room drinking whiskey. Seamus, Killian, Finn, Patrick, Cian, Danny, Romero, Alessio, Makenna, and I are discussing what’s going to happen next. Seamus is hell bent on going after my father even though we have a plan in place to ensure that the bastard dies.

  “Fucker actually had the balls to shake my hand,” Seamus spits out and shakes his head in disgust.

  My father was at the funeral and the smirk the fucker had on his face made every single one of us want to kill the motherfucking bastard.

  Makenna’s on her laptop, she’s changed out of her dress and is wearing yoga pants, a tank top, and barefoot. Her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, her feet underneath her as she focuses on whatever the fuck she’s looking for. She’s been doing this every single night, her eyes glued to the laptop. She’s not told me what she’s searching for but I’m pretty sure she’s trying to find out who the fucking traitor is.

  I’m sitting beside her, my arm outstretched behind her back. Every now and then, she’ll lean back against it, just for a couple of seconds before lifting off. Romero and Alessio think I’m whipped but I don’t give a fuck; with Makenna everything is different.

  “Fucking, bastard,” she snaps as she types away on the keyboard.

  “What, babe?” I ask as I look down on her screen and see Kurt having a meeting with my father.

  “I’ve looked through both Kurt’s and your father’s finances. Kurt received a twenty-five thousand dollar deposit from an offshore account on the day of our wedding. I’ve traced that account back to your father.”

  The silence around the room is deafening as Makenna’s words sink in. Blood rushes to my brain and I try to fight back the rage that’s burning deep inside. My father paid to have my wife killed, he almost had his son killed.

  “Sit the fuck down now. All of you,” Makenna snaps. It’s then that I realize that I was moving. Not only me, but her father, Finn, and Danny were too. “Today isn’t the day we kill him. He’s going to be waiting for us and we’re going to ensure that he won’t be expecting it when it comes. That fucking bastard has taken enough from all of us and now it stops. We’re going to make sure that when the time comes, and it’s coming, that when that motherfucker dies, Dante’s in the position to take over.”

  Danny sighs, “Why the hell are you so level-headed?”

  “Sit down,” she tells us again. “We need to come up with a plan. That arsehole is going down and we need to make sure that the plan is meticulous.”

  “That’s why you’re the fucking best,” a deep voice calls out from the behind us. I turn to see Makenna’s grandfather standing in the doorway with a scowl on his face. He’s just an older version of Seamus, he has a full head of gray hair and his bright-blue eyes are full of life and darkness.

  “Dad, what are you doing here?” Seamus asks as he takes his seat again, the only ones that are still standing are Finn and I.

  “I’m here to end that fucking arsehole’s reign. He hurt my favorite granddaughter and for that he’s going to pay.”

  “Granda,” Makenna chastises him. “Where’s Holly?”

  “She’s at the hotel with her father and Malcolm. I didn’t think it would be right to bring them all here.” He gives Seamus a pointed look.

  “Wait, who’s here?” Cian asks with a frown.

  “Danny’s brother and sister are here,” Makenna informs him. “As is his father.” She can’t keep the smile off of her face, I know how much her family means to her. She’d do anything to protect them and she’s missed them. She’s not seen them in six months, although she does speak to them a lot.

  “Denis and Malcolm will want in on this conversation. I’m here as a courtesy call. Seamus, if you want them here, they can be here in thirty minutes. If not, we’re moving this meeting to the hotel.” The old man turns to me. “We’ve not been introduced, I’m Henry,” he tells me as he holds out his hand. I don’t hesitate, I reach out and we shake.

  “It’s good to see you,” I tell him, and it’s the truth. He may give me some insight into the way Makenna is.

  He nods, “And you too, son, you too.” He then turns his attention to Romero, “You must be Romero.” The two of them shake hands, “You’ll do nicely for my Holly. I’m sure you’re anxious to meet her.”

  “Whoa, what the fuck?” Danny grouses.

  “Danny boy, stay out of this. This doesn’t concern you,” Henry says with a bite to his tone.

  “The hell it doesn’t, that’s my fucking sister.” Danny’s glaring at Romero. “She’s not being given to that arsehole.”

  Henry sighs, “You had no problem when it was Makenna that was forced into a marriage. Besides, I, unlike you, have spoken to Holly and she’s agreed to the union. You don’t have a say in what’s happening. You have your own marriage to worry about.”

  Danny’s eyes flash with anger, “My…”

  “Leave it alone, Dan,” Makenna tells him, not even looking at him, her gaze on her laptop. “I’ve spoken to Holly, she’s fine.”

  The fight leaves him and he nods. “Okay, fine, what are we going to do about that Italian arsehole?”

  My teeth clench at his words. “Watch it.”

  He smirks, “Dante, I no longer class you as Italian, you’re family.”

  “Enough,” Henry growls. “Seamus, do you have a fucking problem having your son and his family here?”

  Seamus sighs as he glances at his sons.

  “No he doesn’t. This is bullshit.” Kenna’s pissed off tone cuts through the tension in the room. “I am not going to divide my time between my family. I have done it enough and it has to stop. Next week it’s a meeting of the family. Every Boss, Underboss, and made man will be in attendance. That means we’re all going to be there. The last thing we need is for our men to think there’s a fraction in the family.” She lifts her head and glares at her brothers then toward her father. “You have a problem with Denis or any of his kids, get the fuck over it. You are not the injured party here. If you treat my nieces and nephews with anything but respect, we’re going to have a problem.”

  Danny grins, “Aww, I feel the love.”

  “Shut it,” Makenna clips but there’s a smile on her face. “Okay, Granda, call Denis and tell him to come over. Holly can work in the other dining room and we’ll figure out a plan to get rid of Matteo Bianchi once and for all.”

  My pride for my wife rises; she’s fucking magnificent. She always has a level head and manages to not let emotions sway her. Anyone else, they’d have tried to kill my father long before now. But not Kenna. No, she’s biding her time, making sure that when she does strike, he’s going down and not coming back up.

  Fifteen

  Makenna

  “Why is it that both of his children are fucking Bosses and we’re not even Underbosses?” Patrick growls looking pissed off. He crosses his arms over his chest as he glares at Granda.

  “Seriously?” I sigh, I’m sick of the childish bullshit.

  Patrick shrugs, “Yeah, seriously, Kenna. This is what we’ve worked hard for, every fucking day of our lives and we’re still just grunts, yet you and them are Bosses!”

  “Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe, it has to do with your father not me?” Granda tells him and I see the anger flash through his eyes.

  “You?” He accuses, “Why?”

  Da glares at him. “Are you fucking questioning me? None of you have shown anything that proves that you should be moved up the ranks.”

  I sigh, nothing good comes from conversations like this. This is something that I want nothing to do with. I believe that all of my brother’s should have been made Underbosses already, maybe even Bosses but they haven’t been close enough to know how things work. They don’t have the confidence of our men.

  “Don’t you see? When the men find out that Makenna is a fucking Boss they’re going to think we’re chumps,” Cian sighs. I clench my teeth. I didn’t think Cian would have a problem with who or what I am. />
  “The men already know. The only people that didn’t were your father and you,” Granda tells them with a smile. I notice the pissed off looks on all my brothers faces.

  Great, just what I need, them to be even more pissed off.

  Cian grunts. “Great, just fucking great. Good ol’ princess. Gets whatever the fuck she wants.”

  My heart pounds against my chest at his words. Hurt, unlike anything I’ve felt before hits me.

  “Cian…” Da growls in warning.

  “No, Da, fuck that. He’s right. Whatever she wants she gets,” Patrick replies glaring at me.

  I get to my feet, anger and hurt running through my veins. “I get whatever I want?” My voice is thick with anger. “I was the one that was left here while our mother fucked Matteo. I was the one that was beaten by him and then had no energy in my body left to fight as she slit my throat. No one was here to help me.”

  Everyone in the room has gone deathly quiet, Da and Finn’s faces are slack and pale. Patrick and Cian are looking at me as though they’ve never seen me before. I don’t care, I have loved my family, would do anything for them and this is how I’m treated.

  “Then I was sent away.” I let out a bitter laugh. “You got to live here and live your life to the fullest, never having to worry about when that fucking bitch would strike again.” My mouth feels dry as I say the words, I’ve never admitted to anyone just how scared I was that my mom would try to do it again.

  “Kenna…” Da says, his voice tortured.

  I ignore him and carry on. “No one was ever here for me. I have always been alone. Always. When I was six and broke my arm when I fell off my bike, not one of you arseholes tried to help me. Instead you laughed and ran off. No one was there when I broke my hand while Killian trained me. No one was there when Granda told me that I was going to be Boss and the men went crazy. No one has ever given a shit. So tell me, arseholes, why should I give a fuck about what you want? Hmm? After all, I get whatever the hell I want. The only fucking thing I ever wanted when I was younger was a family that gave a fuck. Yet, here I am.”