Page 50 of Mafia and Protector

CHAPTER 16

JESSICA

After breakfast, Rafael and Gabriel were getting ready to leave when the perimeter soldiers rang to say someone was making their way up to the house.

“The soldiers report that Jacob and Casmundina Bonardi have just arrived,” Rafael said to Gabriel.

Rafael turned to me as I stood at the sink and stacked the dishwasher. “Did you invite your brother and mother over this morning?”

I dried my wet hands. “No, I didn’t. And they didn’t say they were coming over.”

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Gabriel answered it. A minute later, my mother came bustling into our kitchen, followed by Jacob.

My mother was wearing a green rhinestone-encrusted skirt and matching jacket. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the rest of her outfit—blouse, shoes, and purse—were also a sparkly green. She always said she had to maintain standards as the wife of a Società Underboss, but today she looked like a Christmas tree to me.

“This is a surprise, Casmundina, and at such an early hour. We weren’t expecting you,” Rafael said drily, reluctantly accepting a double kiss from my mother before subtly wiping the wet marks from his cheeks.

“Rafael, Gabriel, so wonderful to see you,” gushed my mother.

She also gave me a kiss, although she frowned as her eyes took in my dark jeans and oversized khaki top. “What are you wearing, Jessica? Hardly an appropriate outfit for a Santino wife, I would have thought.” Before I could respond, she changed the subject. “I can’t wait to see the house—obviously I’ve never been here before. Well, aren’t you going to show me around?” she demanded.

I felt embarrassment suffuse my cheeks at the blatant busybody that was my mother.

Jacob, however, wasted no time on greetings or pleasantries. “Last night my parents told me what happened to Jessica before the wedding—what your father did,” Jacob snarled.

“We’ve dealt with it,” Rafael replied in a steely voice, looking him square in the eye.

“Once the engagement contract was signed, she became yours. That meant you were supposed to protect her,” Jacob spat before turning to me. “Jess, you don’t have to stay here in this house.”

“This does not concern you.” Rafael’s voice was pure ice. “She is a Santino now and my wife.”

“She’s my sister and your family has dishonored her. Like hell it doesn’t concern me!”

“Watch your tone—don’t forget I’m a Santino,” warned Rafael.

“And we rule the Società,” added Gabriel, his tone severe.

Jacob looked at them fiercely. “I don’t give a fuck what your last name is. The Santinos and the Società failed to protect Jess, just like they failed to protect my other sister.” Jacob reached for his revolver.

“Jake, no!” I cried, my hands flying to my chest.

As soon as Jacob drew his gun, Gabriel pulled his weapon too and aimed it at my brother.

“Why didn’t you protect Jess before the wedding? Once she was engaged to you, she was your responsibility,” thundered Jacob.

“Dear God,” I whispered, my eyes fixed on his revolver which was pointed at Rafael. “Jake…it doesn’t matter now.”

“How can you say it doesn’t matter? They should have protected you. I should have protected you.” Jacob raked his free hand through his hair. He looked awful, guilt eating away at his conscience. “It will always matter, Jess. You don’t have to stay in this marriage. You know that, don’t you?”

“Mother, do something,” I pleaded to my mother, who stood beside us looking at her nails.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked in a bored tone.

“But why did you come here today if it wasn’t to help calm Jake and avert a crisis?” I asked desperately. Crisis was an understatement when describing the potential fallout from today if shots were fired. I looked at my mother imploringly.

“Jacob said he was coming over and I thought I would get a ride with him.” She then adopted her martyred tone. “What else am I supposed to do but come here if my own daughter doesn’t bother to visit me? I can’t believe I’ve raised such self-centered daughters—first Juliana, now you.”

“Look, Jacob, lower your weapon and we’ll talk about this in the office, away from the women,” gritted out Rafael, eyeballing my brother and his weapon.