Gangster

by Sapphire Knight

  Grace climbs in and I stand in the doorway, keeping watch so Max can run around the vehicle and get in the driver’s seat. Once his door’s safely shut, I climb in. My door’s not even closed all the way and he’s peeling out.

  We drive our alternate route—the long way home. It’s on purpose in case someone’s following us. They’d never make it through my security gate at home, but I don’t want to have anyone following us regardless. The less people know about me, the better.

  “He’s dead, Thaddaeus,” Grace mutters softly, tears falling over her cheeks.

  She mourns for a man she’s barely crossed paths with. Some may call her soft. I call her pure, untainted, kindhearted.

  Nothing like me. It’s one of the things I love most about her. The goodness she has inside draws me in, making me wonder if I can keep something so sweet in my possession without breaking it.

  “I know, cara, I know. Now shh,” I say sternly. It’s the last thing I want, to tell her to be quiet right now, when I know she needs to process it all. But I need to think.

  I killed the last asshole to threaten us, which Grace still doesn’t know about, thankfully. Who could this be? Perhaps his right-hand man? Those little gangs are like an infestation in the city, popping up everywhere, killing their own and anyone else in their paths. They have no idea what loyalty’s about, what respect is. One falls and three more run to take over his spot. The very reason I live and breathe holding my position is because of loyalties. My crew has been with me for many years; my familia stays true to each other, as do I.

  It’s never just me you deal with; it’s four more right behind me, having my back. These idiots want to play games; I’ll cut them off at the source, as I did with their last leader. They’ll learn the hard way as others have. You don’t touch what’s mine, and at this point, Grace belongs to me, to my crew. They’ve placed her on the pedestal she deserves to be on, even if she has no idea. She’s got them eating from her palm already and she’s not even my wife yet.

  “You need to be my wife.”

  It leaves my lips before I can think over the repercussions. I don’t care though; I want her to have my name. She needs to be a Morelli for my sanity and my heart’s sake.

  “Wh-what?” she sputters, taken off guard. I feel the vehicle swerve, Max obviously listening to our conversation as well. Nosey bastard.

  “We need to be married.”

  “Why would we do that? Did you see what just happened?”

  “I did and if we marry they’ll back off.”

  “How can you possibly know that?”

  “It just came to me, Bella. I was thinking over my familia’s loyalties. Right now, whoever’s doing this, is only fucking with me and my crew. You become my wife, you become familia.”

  “That’s not any different than me being your girlfriend, just a piece of paper.”

  “No, you’re wrong. That piece of paper tying you to me does so much more. The threats on your head become a threat to my familia—along with what just happened to my uncle. I may not be Mafia, but my uncle who just passed was. You become familia, and death to a Mafia man declares war. They’ll protect you and use you as an example of not to fuck with the mob. Not only will I be protecting you, but half of Chicago will be at your back. It’s all because of my uncle; his death is going to keep you alive.”

  “No, Thaddaeus, I can’t. I couldn’t use that poor man like that.”

  “You will. If I have to drug you and forge your signature myself, you will.”

  Now’s not the time for her to be stubborn. I need her in this one hundred percent. It’ll save her and tie her to me permanently all at once. This nonsense will be over with. My familia sees me serious about her and the threat linked with her and my uncle will become hell on earth for whomever has the audacity to cause chaos in the city.

  “I can’t!” she argues, my hands going to her upper arms, shaking her as I yell.

  “Yes, you can! You will, damn it. I’m done being easy about this. I’ve paraded you around town already, everyone knows your mine. A marriage document isn’t enough cause for this fight. You should be flattered that I’ve given you a choice. Most women would be bending over themselves for a marriage proposal from me.”

  “Newsflash! I’m not most women!” she yells back at me.

  “Bloody hell!” comes from the front. “The two of you need to stop the pissin’ already; I’m driving for fuck’s sake.”

  My stern gaze meets her petulant one, both of us remaining silent, our eyes saying so much. Hers telling me she’s not giving in; mine saying that I’ll bend her will until she snaps, giving me what I want.

  “We’ve arrived.” Maximillian announces, punching in his own code and signaling to the guy I have watching my gate. “With a headache, no less, and no snacks for later,” he adds, irritated. He pulls to a stop at the side entrance, so we’re not out in the open.

  Grace flies out the Denali, storming toward the gardens. Stubborn-ass woman. The last thing we need is to be out in the open, even if it’s in my own damn yard.

  “Bella!” I shout, following her. She’s quick, even with her strides being smaller than mine; I nearly have to jog to catch her. I’ll be damned if I leave her alone though.

  Reaching for her, I snatch her bicep to get her to acknowledge me. She twists around so fast, my other hand going to the opposite bicep, and thank God I do because she lays into me. Fists pound against my chest, laying into me, full of hurt and fear.

  “Stop it, woman,” I growl, holding her tighter and tighter to myself while she beats against me, spending her frustrations on my body.

  A weaker man would crumple to the ground. Not me. I stand sturdy and strong, exactly as she needs me to be. I will always be someone she can lean on when she needs it.

  Moments later, I’m met with more tears. My poor, broken amore.

  Her face pressed against my pecs while she weeps, holding me with every ounce of strength she has—like a lifeline. The first time in an incident like the one at the shop is always nerve-racking. It’s hard for your mind and body to understand something so out of your control. Nuzzling the top of her hair, I press a few kisses, showering her in tenderness.

  “I thought you were shot when you were on top of me. I couldn’t hear anything. The world was silent so I concentrated on feeling your heartbeats against my back. It’s what kept me from passing out, I think. I can’t believe it happened. And like that, it was so fast and out of nowhere. I didn’t know it was coming and you had me to the ground as the first shot rang out; it all happened so fast. Then everything was in slow motion, I thought it was never going to end and in the same breath I was terrified it would end.” She babbles on in one huge burst, my heart squeezing for her, my own sadness overshadowing me, hearing how scared she was.

  “I know, cara. But you’re fine now, you’re home and no one will ever hurt you here.”

  “But-but what about the others? What are we going to do? What if something happens to them?”

  “I told you, Grace, the others will be fine. As for us, I told you what we’re going to do about that as well.”

  “You’re serious? You want to marry me? But it would ruin your life. Marriage should happen because of love, not because of a circumstance. I don’t want you to end up hating me.”

  “Grace my feelings run very deep for you. You’d make me a very, very happy man if you married me. I think that one day you could even love me.”

  “I’m just so confused right now; I need to think about everything.”

  Our conversation’s cut off as a taxi approaches. It must be my men, to have gotten through the gate. I hold her to me, her body tightening up, still on alert as I watch the car come to a stop and Dillion and Cage step out, paying one of the few cab drivers we have on call.

  They’re bloody.

  “Well?”

  “I know who it is.” Cage grumbles, and Grace pulls her face away, wanting to see the guys with her own two eyes.

  �
��See Bella, they’re in one piece.”

  Dillion holds his hands up, grinning, and Cage nods at her. I feel her chest expand with a deep breath. Woman will probably tank soon and pass out from the adrenaline drop.

  “Wash up and meet me in my office.” I glance at Max. “All of you.” They follow my order as I walk Grace into the house, tugging her along. She may as well be dragging her feet with her slow steps. I could carry her, but I don’t want her to feel like I’m rushing her.

  “How about you lay down for a minute, baby, and get some rest. I’m going to discuss everything with my crew.”

  “I could use some time alone.” I don’t agree with her on that, but keep my thoughts to myself. I need to talk to Cage and Dillion too badly to argue.

  “You hungry?” I ask as we pass through the kitchen.

  “No.” She shakes her head and we trek up the stairs.

  Once in my bedroom, Grace toes off her shoes and crawls onto the bed fully clothed, curling up into the mountain of pillows. I cover her with a plush white throw and softly place a kiss to her temple.

  “I’ll be back to check on you as soon as I’m done.”

  She nods silently.

  Everybody’s a gangster, untila gangster walks in the room.

  - Awesome Meme

  “You’re marrying her.” It’s uttered like an accusation rather than a question from Maximillian. With today’s events, I’m not in the mood to argue with anyone.

  I glance at him, then Cage and lastly Dillion. I wish my brother were still here; he’d understand why I’m doing this, why I’m like this. I like to think I can blame it on a long Italian bloodline full of stubborn men such as my grandfather. These three will never understand as they didn’t grow up in my familia.

  Things weren’t always so black and white, such as they are now. I know what I have to do, what’s expected of me. Back when I was a kid, I had the notion that anything was possible. Not so when you grow up surrounded by Mafia. Your fate’s sealed early on.

  My grandfather let me get away with not joining in the ranks with my cousins, knowing how I felt about my father’s actions and the way things were run in the mafia. In the same breath, I was cast out. I was charged with running the streets and only permitted to request help from the mob if it was a life or death situation. I wanted to make my own way so it was no love lost on my part. Even in those times, they didn’t help. It was always, “Figure it out and don’t bring shame to our name,” because Morelli is a real household name.

  I learned to get my own crew—one that was loyal to me. The same goes for a woman. She must be able to stand beside me through the street grit, not bow down to the gutter trash around the city and watch my back. The Mafia will do nothing with all this going on right now with Grace. But, with her as my wife and with my uncle deceased, I can work the mob to my benefit—to Grace’s benefit.

  My crew has no idea what it means to finally find a woman who’s strong enough to uphold what’s required of me as a Morelli. It means everything and I’m not letting her slip through my grasp for them or some dicks with an automatic weapon.

  “Yes. It’s been my plan for a while now, you all knew this. I never hid my intentions with her.”

  “Right. But you promised a fuck in exchange for her safety.”

  “Are we really going there right now? I told you that if she came to you willingly, that I wouldn’t step in the way.” Big fucking difference. I never willingly promised she’d fuck any of them, and I never would. I gave him the option to try to coax her to his side; I’m not sure if I would’ve let him live in the end though. It killed me to promise him even a chance with her, but that’s how much she means to me. I’d do anything I had to, to keep her alive and unharmed.

  “You’re bloody marrying the cunt! It was tough enough before, now she’ll never give in. Lass strikes me as a bit too loyal for her own good.”

  “And she better. You come near her as my wife, and you won’t live to see another day, friend. You had your chance—a fair chance.”

  “I’ve had five fucking days.”

  “You’re actually pissed over pussy, Maximillian? I never took you for lacking in bedmates.”

  “It’s the significance, not the snatch between her legs that I give a fuck about.”

  “Oh? How so? Please enlighten me.” And, so help me, watch your tongue or I’ll cut it out.

  “She should belong to all of us. We’ve been a crew for years—years, Joker.”

  “You had your chance; you pledged your loyalty. Are you renouncing that as well now?”

  “Oh, sod off. You know I don’t break my word, even if I’m out a bit of pussy.”

  “Good. I need to know I can count on you, on all of you.”

  Dillion sips his brandy, lips downturned in a tired frown. “I think it’s a smart move, as long as she’ll go for it. I’ll be honest—I don’t mind Grace or even having her around here. She’s easy on the eyes and she’s kind. Being with you, she could’ve been a total bitch to us, but she’s remained respectful.”

  I nod. I know she is. She’s everything someone like me needs beside him. My mind’s already made up; this is all just so they think they’re involved in my decisions.

  “Cage?”

  He shrugs, running a palm over his face. “I don’t care as long as you’re happy and she stays out of our business. If she makes you all lovey and shit, then fuck it. I don’t sleep in your bed at night, you know?”

  “Lovely. Guess I’m the only bloke with shit for brains,” Max huffs, his tone flat with boredom.

  He doesn’t like being the odd man out. He prefers having someone in his corner. When it comes to me though, he’s usually by himself when confronting me on his contrary opinions. Truth is, he’s cocky. He thinks he knows it all, including what’s best for me. He’s gotten too comfortable in our friendship over the years.

  “I should call Tyson.” He’s my friend with the wandering spirit. I wish he wasn’t like that; he’s the one who gets me the most. Max may be closest to me, but that’s because Tyson’s always gone, handling business for us.

  “I’ve spoken to him,” Cage grumbles.

  “You have?” I’m surprised. I guess I shouldn’t be since we’re all friends, but Tyson usually calls me more than the others.

  He nods. “Yep, told him all about our girl trouble and the assholes that shot at us today.”

  “Well shit, you’ve recently spoken to him then.”

  “I called him while we were waiting on the cab.”

  Dillion takes another gulp, finishing off the nasty amber liquor. “Needless to say, Tyson’s still your biggest fan.”

  Good. Makes me want him here, beside me, even more.

  “Yep. He thinks we should roll with your plan. Told us to trust you, that you know what you’re doing.” Cage agrees.

  Max scoffs. “You lads should’ve gotten the idiots who shot at us, not fretted over ringing Tyson.”

  “We went after them, goddamn it,” Cage scowls. “It was Jimmy Fantiome, one of Franco’s old boys.”

  “I gave you an order before. I want their hands cut from their limbs for shooting at us. I want their hearts cut out for attempting to shoot Grace—my heart. Got it?”

  “Yep,” Cage answers.

  “Yes,” Dillion agrees.

  “Maximillian, I want you with them. See that it’s handled. Take whatever you need to get it done. And make a fucking example out of these rats; string them up in the streets if people don’t realize that I mean business. You let them know they don’t get to fuck with my crew, understand?”

  “Got it, Joker.”

  “And why were you two bloody when you got here?”

  Dillion moves so I can see his shoulder, and Cage holds his arms up so I can see his forearms. They both have a few decent-sized cuts that’ve been freshly stitched up. They must’ve been busy sewing up their wounds when I put Grace to bed.

  “Shit.”

  “I’m fine.” Cage shrugs and I tu
rn to Dillion.

  “Me too.”

  A scream loud enough to break through my closed door, pierces the air, causing us all to jump to our feet. Goose bumps overtake my flesh, knowing it’s my Grace making that sound. I swear to God, I’ll castrate whoever’s bothering her.

  “Go, now! I’ll handle whatever’s happening; you take care of business.” Drawing our guns, I take off toward my bedroom where Grace’s voice carries through the hall. The others run off in the other direction toward the stairs to collect my new trophies.

  I wake myself up from my own screaming, my skin slick with a light coat of sweat. The yell must’ve been loud enough to jolt me from the nightmare I was having, but I’m grateful for it. The dream was awful, replaying what happened earlier at the pastry shop.

  Only this time, all the guys had been shot. They were bleeding out all over the floor, surrounding me. I had no idea what to do or how to help. Seeing them all like that completely broke me. I felt helpless and I hated every second of it.

  I was busy trying to get Thaddaeus to come back to me when two men entered the shop. They were dressed like evil clowns, their sinister smiles full of razor sharp teeth, staring at me with beady eyes, ready to pounce. One of them came at me with a huge knife full of pointy edges, while the other swung a baseball bat full of nails. I knew the one with the knife was going to saw right through me and that’s when I started screaming.

  Thank God, I did too; it woke me up at the perfect time. I’m not sure if I could’ve survived something like that, even if it was just a dream. It felt so real and I know what happened, that alone will haunt me enough.

  My mind’s groggy and disoriented and I nearly let loose a scream again when Thaddaeus’ bedroom door suddenly flies open and he rushes in his room, his chest moving as he heaves breaths. He must’ve run from the other side of the house.

  Eyes wide, his gaze reeks of promises full of murder and torture as his body’s strung tight and on alert. He glances around, his gun drawn looking for what, I have no idea. He came to protect me. He’s always right there when I need him the most, no matter what the issue is. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life to meet someone like him. Now I finally have, and I’m willing to let him slip away from me because I’m being stubborn? Not anymore.