Page 61 of Bloody Union
“Let’s go see what our brothers have found. They look homicidal,” I comment and she smiles. It’s a fucking relief to see both of them getting along. I thought for sure they’d kill each other by now.
I lead her over to Finn’s parked car and wait until she slides into the back seat, I’m right behind her. “Talk to us,” I demand when Finn pulls into the New York traffic.
“We managed to trace the drugs,” Romero says and he has our complete attention. “Michael was right. He sent out fourteen shipments, in fourteen different trucks.”
He pulls out a tablet and brings up a video, he passes the tablet back to Makenna and I.
“Okay, so tell me what am I looking at?” she asks not starting the video yet. She wants to know what she’s dealing with.
“Did you know that all those trucks have trackers on them?” Finn asks and Makenna smirks. “Of course you did. Hence why you asked us to look into it. You don’t want anyone else knowing.”
Makenna raises her brow and I bite back my laughter, as Finn clenches his jaw. “Christ, I forgot how annoying you are,” he grumbles but there’s no heat in his words at all. Of all her brothers, Finn loves her the most. He’s protective of her and I can see how much he admires her.
“Finn…” she warns.
He sighs, “Right, so we were able to track the vehicles and none made any stops they weren’t scheduled for, when they did stop we were able to find security footage either in the gas station they stopped in, or from across the street.”
Makenna glances at me and I can see that she’s losing her patience, she wants to know what the hell they’ve found.
“How about we cut to the chase?” I tell them and they nod.
“Lawrence is an ass and he received the drugs. The fucker unloaded the shipment in broad daylight. We have him read handed; video proof.”
Makenna hits play and we watch as the old fucker orders his men around as they unload the truck.
“We have another shipment next week. I want this shit dealt with before that,” she says through clenched teeth. “I have to call Granda.” She shakes her head. “Fuck. Just what we need right now.”
She passes me the tablet and pulls out her cell, she’s right, we don’t need this right now. We’re in the midst of getting ready to take over the Famiglia as well as joining the Clann and Famiglia together. Having a thieving traitor among us isn’t great for business. Lawrence will need to be taken care of and soon.
The conversation she has with her grandfather is brief, I guess there’s not much you can say. She ends the call. “There’s a meeting called for tomorrow morning. Everyone is to be in attendance.”
I lean my head back against the chair. These next two days are going to be fucking exhausting. Tomorrow we’ll deal with the traitors; we’re coming into a new era and it’s time to make changes.
“The sooner this week is over and done with the better,” Makenna grouses from beside me; she’s pissed as hell. “Finn, Granda says next week you’ll be taking over Philly. He wants to know if he should put you in contact with a realtor?”
It’s less than a two hour commute, so if Finn does move there at least Kenna can see him without having to drive all day or fucking fly halfway across the world to see them. He’s silent and I’m surprised, he’s usually got something to say.
“Finn, move to Philly. It’s not like we’re not going to see each other. As much as it pains you, you work for me and that means we’ll be in constant contact. If you go to Philly, you’ll be able to grow.”
Fucking hell. When she cares about someone she really wants the best for them.
“Staying with Da isn’t the answer, Finn. As much as he won’t mean to, he’ll try and dictate what you should do. An Underboss rules. I am your Boss but also your confidante. As is Dante. We want our business, our family to thrive and it’s why we want both you and Romero to lead. You both need to step up and show the world that you are both more than just the sons of the Bosses. You need to show them why we gave you the job. Because you’re both fucking badasses and you’re both more than capable of running the families. But you won’t, not unless we die.”
“I don’t want your job, Kenna. I didn’t think I’d be Underboss. But you’ve given it to me and I’m not going to let you down,” Finn says, his voice gruff with emotion. “You and Dante will always have my loyalty and it’s not just because you’re my sister, though that’s a big part of it. I fucking admire you, Kenna, you’ve been through a lot and come back stronger. You have my loyalty because you give a shit.”
Romero nods in agreement. “It’s why you have everyone’s loyalty. You’re not like the others. You show your men that they can count on you which in turn means that you can count on them. Loyalty is earned not given freely and, Kenna, you’ve earned yours more than anyone.”
“Appreciate it,” she murmurs and I smirk, she’s getting emotional. It’s something I didn’t think she had in her until the other day when we were in the shower when I saw the fear and love in her eyes. I knew then just how special she was.
She closes her eyes and I know that she’s done talking. Tomorrow we’ll deal with the traitors. Tonight, we’ll deal with the asshole.
* * *
I’m pissed.Beyond fucking pissed. My father decided that our ‘family dinner’ should include his fucking consigliere Pauly. The entire night the two bastards have been making comments about Makenna, I’m barely holding onto my temper. I’ve been able to restrain from slamming my father’s head down onto the table.
Dad’s at the top of the table, Pauly to his right and I’m to his left. The way it always is. Kenna’s sitting beside me, Romero is seated beside Pauly and Alessio is at the bottom of the table. We’re getting more than a few looks, it’s not every day that the head of the Italian mafia shows up at the restaurant with his family.
“So, Makenna…” my father begins and I watch as my wife smiles sweetly at him. “How are you liking being married to my son?”