Page 20 of Explosive Union
Now I’m the one who’s pissed. Fucking bastard. I don’t do well with threats. I’ve killed men for less. My father is the only man who can push me to the edge. As much as I respect the man, he crosses the line too many times.
"Jade Gallagher is mine,” I snarl as I step closer to him. “I don’t share, Father. Best remember that.”
His smile is filled with triumph. “Then you’d best show the men here that then, son, because from what I can see, she has plenty of admirers.” With that bombshell, he steps away, smiling and greeting people as he does.
“He was baiting you,” Elio tells me. “You fucking walked into it. Christ, Rocco, what have you always told me?”
Never show your weakness.
I glare at the asshole. “Where have you been?”
His smile is as wide as Dario’s when he’s causing mischief. “With a petite blonde.”
I roll my eyes. I should have known.
Elio, however, isn’t finished. “But Dad was right. You haven’t given the felon an engagement ring. It’s not common knowledge that you and the Irish beauty are to be married. So, the fish are swarming. They’re just waiting for the bait. Any of them would love to get their hands on her.”
That’s the wrong thing to say. A red haze forms over me. I’m moving before either of my brothers can say another word to piss me off.
Jade is currently huddled in a corner with some surfer-type guy. Those gorgeous blue eyes of hers are bright and filled with happiness. Whatever the fuck the guy’s saying to her is making her smile, and for some fucked up reason, I want to tear him apart for putting that look on her face.
“Send me the info, Leon, and make sure you’re at the meeting tomorrow. You’re not going to want to miss it,” she tells him. She’s full of authority and determination.
“Can I help you?” she questions me as I move closer to her. The surfer guy walks away, leaving us alone.
“I thought it best that we spoke.” I press as close as I can to her, loving the coffee, vanilla, and flower scent she wears. “We got off on the wrong foot this morning.”
“No,” she replies. “We didn’t. You showed me what an ass you are, and I showed you that I am not your mam, nor am I like any woman in the Famiglia that you are used to. I don’t take orders, Rocco, and I’ll never ever allow a man to tell me what I’m supposed to be.” Her voice is soft, but her eyes are hard, and anger swirls around those beautiful blue orbs.
“I have known you less than twenty-four hours and you anger me unlike any other.”
She steps closer to me. “Yeah, well the feelings are entirely mutual. Christ, Rocco, how the hell have you survived for this long without someone killing you?”
I laugh. Damn, how the hell does this woman manage to do this? One minute, she’s making me madder than Hades, and the next, I’m almost busting a gut laughing.
“I’m sure it’s been hard for them.”
Her lips twitch. “I’d say. As you’ve said, we’ve only known each other a day, and I’ve wanted to kill you more than once.”
"I guess our marriage is going to be interesting—what with you trying to quell your need to kill your husband."
She releases her laugh, and it’s raspy and deep. "Now, Rocco, who said anything about me quelling my need to kill you? Haven't you heard yet? I have no patience, nor do I possess any willpower. Unfortunately for you, dear fiancé, you are well and truly fucked." Her grin widens, those amazing eyes of hers bright and filled with laughter. "But… I'm sure there's still time to end this farce."
I narrow my eyes at her as she flips her hair behind her shoulder and moves to walk away. My hand clamps around her wrist, and I push close to her. Our positions are similar to how we were earlier on this morning.
"Do not push me, Jade. You will not like the outcome. I, unlike you, do possess willpower, and I’m able to control my emotions, but continue to push me and I’ll have you pressed up against the wall, that tight motherfucking dress bunched up at your waist, and my cock so far inside of you that you can taste me."
Her eyes widen a fraction, but the shock quickly vanishes, and then she runs her goddamn mouth. “Funny,” she laughs. "And here I thought you were a good little famiglia boy."
My teeth clatter together at her calling me a boy.
"I wonder how your father would react to finding out just how depraved his son is? You wouldn't dare touch me before the wedding!”
Oh, she's baiting me. I shake my head. She's sorely mistaken if she thinks that'll work on me. Dario, yes. Not me. "Jade, you are mine. If I want to fuck you with everyone in this room watching, then I damn well will. I’ll make you come with everyone hearing you."
Her smile is filled with triumph. "I'm sure a guy or two here wouldn't mind." Her gaze flicks around the room seductively.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" I growl.