Page 19 of Explosive Union
“You look beautiful, sweet girl,” she whispers.
I glance down at myself. “Thanks for the dress, Mam,” I say, knowing she’s the one who bought it. It’s her style, not mine.
She grins. “I know it’s not your usual style, but I thought that for tonight, you could wear this. We have a gala we have to attend soon. I have a black dress for you for that event.” Her nose crinkles in distaste.
I smile, knowing it’s no doubt got a thigh high slit, or my breasts could almost be on show. My mam’s extremely modest, even with being married to the Head of the Clann. “Can’t wait to see that one.”
She laughs as she links her arm through mine. “Let’s get some drinks. It’s going to be a long night.”
“Yeah, I’m going to be gawked at the entire night. Everyone is going to be looking at me like I’m a leper.”
She gently pats my arm. “Don’t worry, sweet girl, it’ll all be okay,” she assures me. “Everyone is already downstairs waiting.”
The eagerness in her voice has me glaring at her. “You mean Rocco?”
She nods. “Yes, he’s already asked about you. Whatever happened between you this morning has left a lasting impression on him.”
“I’ll leave him with more than that,” I mumble, still pissed about how things went this morning.
He’s sorely mistaken if he thinks I’ll come to heel. I’m no one’s lap dog and certainly won’t become anyone’s either.
Rocco Gallo has a lot to learn, not only about women, but about the Clann. He’s in for a rude awakening once he realizes the truth.
Heaven help him if he tries to step in my way.
CHAPTER6
ROCCO
Igrit my teeth, my gaze firmly on the staircase Jade is slowly descending. She got every man’s full attention. She's mine, and yet every asshole here is looking at her. The purple dress she's wearing clings to her body, like it’s molded to her skin. Her curves are out of this world: small waist, heavy breasts, and her ass is beyond anything I could have dreamed. Her jet-black hair is sleeked and falls down her back. Her face made up with makeup, she looks like a fucking Hollywood star.
She’s beautiful. I knew that the moment I saw her this morning, when her face was bare and I could see the sprinkle of freckles across her nose and cheeks. I lucked out, that’s for sure. I knew what it meant to get into an arranged marriage, especially one where I didn’t see my fiancée for three years. She could have been hideous, and I’d have been stuck with her. But instead, I have Jade.
The woman has everyone’s attention. There’s not a fucking hope in hell that she’ll not star in my men’s dreams. I never knew I had a jealous streak until her. The mere thought of someone touching her makes me see red.
Jade's gaze scans the room, and I know the moment she spots me. Those gorgeous blue eyes of hers narrow slightly, and she purses those pouty lips. The woman has made an impression on me, and by the looks of things, I have on her too. There’s a sizzle in the air as our gazes hold. A pull that’s almost too hard to ignore.
"Dude,” Dario grins as he steps closer to me, pulling my gaze away from the woman I’ll be marrying in just a few weeks. "Have you seen the women in the Gallagher family? Utter perfection.”
I shake my head. He's on the prowl for the night. I couldn't give a fuck, as long as he steers clear of Jade. My brothers don’t care about what a woman’s marital status is. The moment they lay eyes on someone they want, they won’t stop until they get her. Unlike my tactless brothers, I don't need to chase anyone. I’ve never had any woman turn me down. Until Jade.
And I certainly will not tolerate anyone making moves on my woman. Brother or not.
"You're no fun," he tells me. "That redhead… she looks as though she'd be a fun time."
I grin at his stupidity. "She's also Romero Bianchi's wife."
His smile fades. “Fuck,” he grits out, his gaze scanning the room. “Well, there’s plenty of fish in this big old pond.”
“Behave yourself,” our father instructs as he steps up to us and places his hand on Dario’s shoulder. I know by the white knuckles that he’s got a firm, warning grip on him.
“Don’t worry,” Dario tells him as he shrugs him off and straightens his jacket. “I won’t mess this up. We all know how much you want this alliance with the Gallaghers.”
“You’ll thank me one day,” Dad says with a clenched jaw. “You may not like what I’m doing, and frankly, I don’t give a damn. I am head of this family, and until I’m six feet under, that’s not going to change. So, what I say goes.” He looks at me, and I see the anger swirling in his dark brown eyes. He despises whenever someone questions his judgement. “Go find your soon-to-be bride, Rocco, and fix whatever the hell you did to her this morning.”
“What?” I hiss low at him.
“That girl is pissed. She was fine before you chased her into the hall. Whatever you said to her, apologize and fix it. You are not the only Gallo that would work for this. Elio is close in age to you.”