Page 61 of Explosive Union
“Alright,Mia cara, I’ll see you in a while. Be good.”
“Never,” she laughs. “Be safe,” she tells me, and then the line goes dead.
I scrub my hand down my face. So much has changed between us and last night only drew us closer. I’m in awe of my fiancée and her strength, not that I’d ever admit it.
I quickly dress and call Elio while I’m leaving Jade’s apartment. I tell him to be at my place in thirty minutes and to have Dario with him.
Forty minutes later, I’m standing outside my house, waiting for my brothers. Where the fuck are they?
“Dario was in the middle of something when I called,” Elio tells me while scowling at our youngest brother. “Where are we going?” he asks when I slide into the passenger's side of his car.
I rattle off the address that Jade gave me, and he nods.
“Where did you disappear to last night?” Dario questions with a smirk.
“I took Jade home,” I tell him as I read through my emails.
“About your fiancée…” Elio murmurs. “Who the hell knew that she was the underboss for the Clann?”
That’s something that pisses me off. I’m angered that her family would put her in a position that could get her hurt, especially after everything that’s happened to her.
“The real question,” I begin, “is how the hell did our father know?”
Elio shakes his head. “The secrets that man is keeping are going to get us all fucking killed. But to not tell your son that his soon-to-be wife is part of the Irish mafia is fucked up.”
“My thoughts exactly,” I hiss. My anger about the entire situation is coming back.
“Can’t be that bad. I mean, you ended up banging her last night,” Dario says.
I pin the asshole with a glare. “Watch your fucking mouth,” I snap. “Don’t talk about her, ever.”
Dario’s back straightens at my words. “Sure, whatever you say.”
Elio shakes his head. “Dario, what the fuck?”
This kid is too fucking cocky. He’s going to end up paying for that cockiness. It’s just dependent on who teaches him a lesson. If it’s me, he’ll live. Anyone else—well, that’s debatable.
The rest of the car ride is silent, but I know Elio’s dying to say something. And the moment we step out of the car, he’s beside me. “Why the hell did our father promote him to captain? He’s green as they come.”
Unlike Elio and I, Dario went through the ranks of the Famiglia alone. He relied heavily on those around him to help him out of a bind and never took ownership for the mistakes he made. And he made a fuck of a lot. But he was made captain and it was something that both Elio and I didn’t think he was ready for. Something he still isn’t.
“Once the wedding is over, I’ll have a sit down with our father and find out what the hell is going on.” Something ain’t right, and I’m determined to find out the truth.
“What is this place?” Dario questions when we walk through the doors to the fancy gym the Gallaghers own.
“Gentleman,” Jade says as she saunters up to us. She’s wearing black yoga pants and a sports bra, her hair tied up, and not an ounce of make up on her face. “I’ve been expecting you.”
Is that a reprimand in her voice?
“We're here,” I remind her.
“So you are,” she replies sarcastically. “Follow me to the basement.”
“Is she going to kill us?” Elio questions with a chuckle.
“You and Rocco are safe,” she assures him as she leads us down the stairs.
“Phew.” He grins, wiping his forehead in relief. “Always knew I liked you, convict.”