Page 5 of Owned By the Mafia
It took years for me to overcome my fear of him and for him to stop stalking me.
Years.
I will never let a Quinn brother make me fear for my life like that again.
Chapter 3 - Robbie
I eventually shoot the beer cans so many times that there’s nothing left of them, and ultimately, there are none left. I can’t believe this bullshit that I find myself in. I have successfully managed our muscle for years now, and at the slightest whimper from the Sorvino brother, I’m in shit for not treating his thugs like the little ballerina princesses they are.
There’s nothing I can do about it, though. My loyalty to my brother is unconditional, even if I think he is making a bad decision. I am considering talking to Daniel about it, but he’s married into the Russian family, and he’ll probably take the Russian’s side in this.
My father is probably turning in his grave because of this alliance. It makes sense; other families won’t touch us because we’re affiliated with the two most prominent names in the organized crime industry. At the same time, we make money by providing their security services, training their men, and avoiding the daily media shit show that most families are involved in.
Once everyone has left the office, I ask Aidan to lock up, and I leave to go to the pub. Ronan is already pissed with me; no need to further his ire by being late for dinner prayer.
As I walk in, I take my suit jacket off and hand it to Molly, who takes it to hang up on the coat rack. I stride over to where Ronan sits, right where he was this morning, with his leg propped up.
Everyone comes in slowly, and I sit in the booth furthest away from Ronan. He glances at me and shakes his head. “Come on, usual spot.”
I sigh and move to my regular seat nearer him, and we wait until the first crowd is in and settled down.
We close our eyes and bow our heads as Ronan prays over the food we’ve received, that we made it back safely tonight, and for continued protection over the family, all members, blood or not.
We all say amen and tuck into the delicious roast that Molly and her team have prepared. There are smooth mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, salty buttery corn, and creamed spinach with bacon topped with melted cheese. There are boats of thick savory gravy to drown the food in, and then there are the pork belly roasts. The meat is falling off, but the crackling is crisper than the morning air before dawn.
Roast night is one of my favorite nights, and I suspect Ronan had a hand in the choice tonight to make up for our earlier spat.
As we finish dishing our food and tuck in, Ronan turns his attention to me. “You’re not going to like what I have to tell you, Robbie. The families have decided to bring in a supervisor from Katya’s family to oversee the merging of the security divisions and to make this someone chaotic phase execute more smoothly. I expect you to work with them instead of against them.”
My temper flares. The food isn’t an apology for earlier; it is a bribe for the news he just dropped on me. “For fucking hell’s sake Ronan. I don’t need a fucking supervisor. I’ve been doing this all my fucking life. I need obedience, and there’s a surefire way to get that.”
Ronan looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “That level of discipline would incite a war between the families, which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid. You’re being hardheaded and quick-tempered, and you need to learn to approach things with a sense of fairness you’re not used to giving.”
“You don’t think I’m fair to our boys every day? You don’t think I base my decisions on fact? Yeah, I get a bit pissed, but I have never let this family down. Why would I now?” I look away grumpily.
“You are loyal to this family, Robbie. You always have been. The family has issued an order. This is what your boss is telling you needs to happen. Are you going to go against my order?”
I realize the entire room has fallen quiet, listening to the conversation. I didn’t notice we’d gotten so loud. I shake my head. “You know I won’t disobey your order, Ronan.”
Everyone goes back to their food, chatting softly. Ronan nods, and we continue to eat while I mull over this information.
“Look, it’s a Russian woman named Dinara. She’s got a background in stealth and security. She’s good, Robbie. She’s not going to be a hindrance to you. She’s going to amplify your skills. Just give the woman a chance because this is who Katya Sorvino wants heading this project.” Ronan bites into his meat and moans softly. “Dammit, Molly can cook.”
At the sound of Dinara’s name, an image instantly conjures in my mind, and adrenalin rushes through me. I know the woman that Ronan is talking about. She was, no, sheismy intoxication. I’ve found ways to temporarily stave off my obsession with her, but there was a time when I knew her every move, breath, and look. I remember her writhing underneath me, her wrists handcuffed to the wall, and her legs around my waist. She’d never done something like that before, and her innocent cries of pleasure drove me mad as I slammed in and out of her until I came over her belly.
She had left quickly. I had scared her. I get a bit wild, I admit.
She was twenty-one and naive. I was closer to thirty-seven. Twelve years her senior. It had been raunchy and hot, and I had left nibble marks all over to remind her of me.
I smirk. Working with Dina won’t be so bad. She’s pretty bendable to my will and has a healthy respect for me.
I notice Ronan staring at me, and I raise an eyebrow. “What?”
“Why has your mood flipped?” he asks. “Your whole vibe has changed. I am pretty sure you almost cracked a smile.”
I snort. “The thought of a woman bossing me around is kinda hot, I won’t lie. Especially a good-looking Russian woman giving me orders, I could get behind her…”
Ronan shakes his head. “You’re impossible, little brother. Absolutely impossible. You’re pissed you’re being supervised, and then you’re not pissed because it’s a woman you can hit on. She’s not going to go to bed with you, Robbie. Despite what your delusions tell you, you’re not an instant chick magnet.”