Page 19 of Unresolved

I ignored the sudden, brutal stab of jealousy.Though I was happy for my brother, a part of me wondered where I’d gone wrong with Gemma.I’d had countless women warming my bed and wanting so much more from me, yet I’d had to chain Gemma to my bed in a cabin in the wilderness just to keep her.

My stomach clenched even as my dick jerked in anticipation.

She must be going crazy wondering when I’d claim her body.But something held me back.I wanted more than her body.I wanted her heart, her mind and soul.

I cleared my throat, then reminded my brother—my don, “Therewassome urgency in me coming here today?”

Ethan stepped aside, his wife following suit.“Of course.Everyone else is already here.They’re waiting upstairs in the parlor.”

I nodded.“Then I’d better not keep them waiting any longer.”

Sabrina winked.“I guess I’ll go and finish my orange juice with the girls.”

As Sabrina went one direction, I took the stairs to the next level with Ethan.I looked his way.“Is Sabrina’s brother joining us?”

Ethan nodded.“Yes, his family is under attack too.They want to resolve this as quickly and efficiently as we do.”He chuckled.“I’m only surprised our women have chosen not to be involved.”

“Behind every great man is a great woman,” I quoted.“I’m betting every female inside this house has whispered a suggestion or two into the ears of their men.”

Ethan made a noise low in his throat.“See this is why you’re the underboss.You’re cynical and disillusioned enough for the job, while still holding out hope for a positive outcome.”

I winced.Ethan knew what I was capable of.That I’d yet to tell him what I’d done didn’t make me a bad person.He had enough on his plate without me telling him about the hostage I’d taken, a woman I intended to force into submission...perhaps even into loving me.

Hadn’t Ethan done the same by kidnapping and forcing Sabrina into marrying him?It certainly hadn’t worked against him.I’d never seen two people more in love...well, aside from the rest of my brothers and sister, and our enforcer.

For fuck’s sake.I must have been missing in action when my family had been gifted their lucky in love vouchers?I’d probably been too busy fucking some nameless whore.

Whatever.I’d found my woman.Now I just had to keep her.

We stepped into the parlor.

My brother-in-law, Salvatore lifted his platinum-haired head, his light blue eyes holding mine even as he nodded greeting.Valentino’s shrewd dark eyes held mine next, as though communicating the seriousness of the meeting.Serafino sat back in the shadows, as per usual, though the coldness in his gaze had lifted like a veil.Alessandro smiled, his stare glittering.

All the men looked different, happier.Of course they did, they’d fallen head-over-heels for their women.A pity that kind of happiness came with great responsibility and risk.No matter the precautions, they were aware our enemies could too easily take away the women they loved.

My heart contracted in my chest, and suddenly I was glad I’d kept Gemma a secret.If my enemies didn’t know about her, they couldn’t hurt her.

She was mine to hurt.If anyone else dared to touch her I’d kill them slowly, painstakingly.

It was only our consigliere, Carlo, who looked dissatisfied, perhaps even a little resentful.But then Carlo hadn’t been himself since Ethan had overthrown our father by putting a bullet in his head.

One of Ethan’s soldiers stalked to the bar and poured whiskey shots for us all as our don spoke.“We all know why we’re here.”There was rumbling assent before Ethan continued.“We’ve come under attack, our position as mafia members threatened by rivals daring to take out our own.As don I can tell you right now Iwilltake vengeance for the cold-blooded killings of our soldiers.”

We accepted our drinks before raising our glasses in the air with violent cheers.

Ethan smiled, though there was no warmth in his stare.“I have trusted men watching our enemies as I speak.Once we’ve worked out their daily rhythms, their everyday routines, we’ll strike hard and fast!”

More vicious cheers sounded and I nodded with grim satisfaction.We had no choice but to strike sooner rather than later to send a clear message.Never fuck with an Agostino.I doubted anyone would want to start a war with the Costas, either.Our families were now tied by blood, and were far stronger for it.

I also didn’t doubt that was why the Accardi and O’Malley mobster family had united.They needed strength in numbers to try and take out our powerful alliance.

Ethan turned to Carlo.“Let’s hear what our consigliere has to say,”

Carlo nodded, his gray, receding hairline somehow adding to his charisma, to the power radiating from him.“I say we scatter their ranks, dethrone them before they settle into a unified mobster family.”

Everyone cheered, and tipped another shot down their throat.

Ethan looked my way.“Evander, do you have anything to add?”

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