Page 26 of Luca
“Margaret Callahan–” she started, but was quickly cut off.
“Don’t you even fucking start,” Aiden growled softly. The threat in his voice and in his gaze was clear. He’d had enough.
“Everyone shut it,” Uncle ground out, cutting us all off. His jaw was clenched and a storm brewed in his eyes. “This has gone on for far too long.”
Aiden took a drink, a shadow of something dark passing beneath the frozen oceans of his gaze.
The twins’ gazes had hardened from amusement to steel as they let out a low growl.
“Tell that to your wife,” Tyran hissed. “She’s been on my sister’s case for months. So look to your fucking left and handle that shit.”
My eyes burned. My brothers made me so proud and their love just made my heart clench in warmth. Jesus, the last thing I needed right now was to start bawling.
Palpable tension stole the oxygen in the room. My brothers wouldn’t back down. They never did. And even if I was wrong, they’d stand by me. Cassio and Luca observed with interest, but they wouldn’t intervene.
Áine looked slightly annoyed.
“I hate to say it, but it’s time you let it go, Mum,” she finally broke the silence. “I told you it all worked out for the best.”
“No, what Margaret did was wrong and you paid the price.” God, my aunt could be such a bitch.
But I’ve had enough. I wouldn’t put up with this shit. Not against me and not against my daughter. I squared my shoulders and locked my eyes on Cassio.
“She was the end game all along,” I finally declared. There was no accusation in my voice. No bitterness. Just a statement.
I refused to back down, my eyes narrowed on my cousin’s husband. He didn’t seem bothered.
“Wasn’t she?” I demanded to know.
“She was,” he answered, his voice cold. There was no apology in his tone nor his dark gaze. Not that I expected it, nor wanted it.
Turning my attention to my aunt, I glared at her.
“There you go, Aunt,” I declared victoriously. “No matter what I did, you cannot hold this shit against me. If you can’t get past it, I’m out of here. I don’t need this shit.”
She sighed, but I could practically hear my uncle’s teeth grinding under his clenched jaw.
“No, you are not out of here. You’re my niece. We’re a family. We’ll work this out and move on.”
I smirked at his words.
“Work what out?” I demanded to know. “As far as I know, it’s your wife that can’t seem to let it go. She didn’t want her daughter as part of this underworld. But she sure as fuck didn’t mind screwing around with the men in it.” My uncle growled and his expression darkened, but I was too far gone to be cautious. “And she sure as fuck didn’t mind reaching out to the mafia when it was convenient.”
My aunt’s face turned red, the usually elegant woman colored by fury. “How dare you–”
I took a step forward, getting right into her face.
“Stop acting like you’re better,” I snapped. “You married into this shit. Look at your husband. He’s running the goddamn mafia, not parliament.”
Yes, I knew I was out of line. I was being a bitch. But fuck it, I’d had enough.
Uncle shook his head.
“Margaret, firstly you won’t talk to my wife like that.” Uncle was furious, but his rage didn’t compare to mine. I could feel everyone’s eyes darting back and forth, holding their breaths. My brothers were at my back, like a shield ready to protect. “Secondly, my wifewillapologize for the hard time she has given you.”
The expression on my aunt’s face said she would rather die than apologize. And suddenly, I’ve had it with everything and everyone.
“You know what?” I scoffed, fury boiling through my veins. No matter what I did or tried, nothing would ever be good enough. In my aunt’s mind, I destroyed her dreams for Áine. “Don’t fucking bother. Because I’m done with this family. I’m done with you. It was you and your darling wife that made the bloody wedding arrangement without talking to me. Did I complain? No. Despite the fact that the King family murdered–” I cut myself short. I almost slipped. “They prey on innocents. Kill them.” Then I narrowed my eyes on my aunt. “But one fucking thing didn’t go her majesty’s way, and I’ll never hear the end of it.“
