Page 21 of Explosive Union
"It wouldn't be the first time they've heard me come." She wrenches her arm free from my hold and saunters away.
Motherfucker.
"Bro," Elio says as he reaches me a few moments later. "You look as though you're about to off someone.”
"That'll depend on my fiancée and if she values people's lives."
"You need to chill the fuck out. This is meant to be a joyous occasion. Your woman is home, and there's going to be a union between the Irish and the Italians. Dad's practically orgasming over the prospect of us expanding."
I chuckle. "He's a greedy fuck, Elio. He wants more money, which means he's going to be working the men harder. They're not going to be happy with me marrying Jade."
"Well, asshole," the woman herself says as she steps between my brother and I. I see she's now carrying two glasses of champagne. "I don't want to marry you in the first place. Carry on, Rocco, and I'll have no qualms in taking you out and having this shit show abandoned.”
Elio chuckles at her words, and I turn my glare on him. "Jade, are you telling us the Irish are going to be happy about this union?" I question, knowing damn well they won't be.
Her lips curl in disgust. "I'm not happy about it,” she mutters. “Of course they're not going to be happy. We do not need you. The Clann has grown immensely without the Italian's input. Our power spans over two continents. We run four countries. We do not need you to continue to succeed. We’re already doing it. Whereas you..." She shakes her head as she glares at both Elio and me. "The Famiglia needs the Clann. Without our union, you cannot grow. Without this marriage, you cannot become the powerful players you have always dreamed of becoming." She hands me a champagne glass. "The next time I hear you bitching, Rocco, we're going to have a hell of a lot more problems than your chauvinistic ways.”
I take the glass from her and bring it to my nose. “Is there arsenic in this?" I question as I sniff. I’m not sure as to why the woman would bring me champagne when she clearly hates me.
Her lips twitch. "I wouldn't waste good alcohol on killing you. That's what I have a knife and a gun for. Although I’ve yet to figure out what I’d like to use on you.”
“If this is your foreplay, God help you when the wedding night arrives,” Elio mutters. “The sooner this marriage happens, the better. If Rocco sees yet another man smiling at you, I think he’ll go on a rampage.”
Jade smiles sweetly at Elio. “But your brother has legendary control.” Her mocking tone does nothing to help diminish my anger.
“He does,” Elio agrees instantly. “But I’ve realized that control doesn’t apply to all that is you.”
Her eyes narrow in on him. “All that is me?”
My brother glances at me for help, and I merely take a sip of the champagne. I’m not stupid. I’m not getting involved in this conversation. Besides, it’s nice to have someone else take the heat for a change. Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and I see my father making a beeline for us. Great, just what I fucking need.
“I just meant that you’re a character, that’s all,” Elio replies sheepishly.
She curls her lips as she looks him up and down. “Are all you Gallos lacking finesse?”
“Not all of us, my dear,” my father says with his shark’s smile. He’s planning something, and I, for one, don’t want anything to do with it.
She raises a brow. “Hmm,” she comments. “Here was me thinking your sons are clones of you. From your looks down to your bad habits.”
I take yet another sip of the champagne, hoping the glass will hide my smile.
“I thought prison would have helped with your manners, but I see not,” he replies, but there’s no anger in his tone.
At least it’s not just me Jade has a problem with.
“I see you didn’t teach your sons how to respect women. But coming from the Famiglia, I shouldn’t be surprised,” she returns without heat.
My father laughs. “I, unlike my father and many other men in the Famiglia, Jade, know the true value of women. I may not agree with women being part of the family, but there is respect for the homes they provide us with and the love they give us.”
She nods, seemingly understanding what he means. “Don’t let Makenna hear you say that. You’ll never hear the end of it.”
My father’s laughter rings loud and clear. It’s genuine, and not for the first time, I’m wondering just how close my father is to the Clann. “Your cousin is something else. She has a good head on her shoulders.”
“That she does. That’s why she’s the boss. She’s a master at everything. But then again, we all were taught the basics to survive this life. It’s what you do with those skills that counts, wouldn’t you say, Aldo?”
My father nods instantly. “Of course it is. Hone them, enhance them, master them. It’s the only way to rise to the top.”
“Maybe you should teach your daughters those skills. After all, they’re going to end up marrying for the family, and as you said, you are unlike the other men in the Famiglia,” she says pointedly.