Page 52 of Bloody Union

“Actually, she killed at least four men at her wedding,” Alessio informs everyone and Dante stiffens beside me. Guess he didn’t know that.

“Only four?” Malcolm quips as his lips twitch. “You’re slacking, Kenna.” He shakes his head in mock disgust, causing me to smile. God, I’ve missed these guys.

“I’ve actually been good. I’ve managed to hold off on killing my brothers along with Dante’s. For me, I’ll call that a success,” I say with a grin.

Dante throws his head back and laughs, “Yeah, she’s managed to quell her bloodlust.”

“As have you,” I respond immediately.

“Jesus Christ, you two are a couple made in hell,” Malcolm grouses.

Da chuckles, “That’s what I told him before he married her.”

The door opens and Holly walks out, her body not as tight as it was when she went in. Romero and Denis walk behind her, Romero with a stupid smirk on his face and Denis with a scowl.

“Holly, you’re excused,” Granda says and she nods before leaving the room. “Now, it’s time to get down to business. Matteo Bianchi is going to die.”

Everyone in the room grins. This is what we’ve all wanted. Every single person in this room hates that bastard. I know that Dante wants to do the honors and I’m going to ensure that he gets to do just that.

Sixteen

Dante

Entering the clearing,the cold air hits us and cuts through me. I’m surprised at just how manymade menthe Irish have. There has to be hundreds here. Makenna is the only woman and yet as she walks past her men, they stand taller, the respect is clear. She keeps her head held high as we walk ahead of her father and Denis. Henry walks ahead of us as Malcolm and Danny bring up the rear, Romero, Alessio, Finn, Patrick, and Cian are in the crowd. Henry wanted them dispersed so that if anyone had any problems they’d be on hand to deal with them.

When my father dies, I’ll be having a meeting very much like this one. I’ll be making sure to get rid of the naysayers and the doubters. The Famiglia have many men that would kill to take the reins. They’d betray the family if it meant they could lead. They’re the ones I need to get rid of and I will. I want to kill my father, not so that I can lead the family, but to get rid of the cancer that he is. He went too far when he ordered the hit on my wife, a hit that nearly killed me too. Makenna has managed to survive both times he’s tried to have her killed. I’m not sure she’ll survive the next. Although, there won’t be a next time. I’ll end him, before he touches a hair on her head again.

We’ve still not come to an agreement on how to kill him. Romero and Alessio want it over and done with quickly, whereas, the rest of us want him to die slowly and painfully for what he did to Makenna. I’ve seen Makenna researching drugs and shit; knowing my wife, she’s going to come up with a way to keep my ass clean.

“Gentleman, thank you for coming today,” Henry begins as he takes center stage so to speak. He’s standing in the clearing facing his men. Seamus, Denis, and Malcom on his right, Makenna, Danny, and I on his left. Henry himself told me that I was to be standing upfront with them. That I’m now part of the family and when we have meetings with the men, we’re a united front.

“You’ve heard the rumors, well I’m here to set them straight.” He continues and he’s got the audience’s full attention. “We are expanding. We’re going to move into the Midwest and once that’s done, we’re going to move to the west coast. There’ll not be a single inch of the US that we don’t fucking own.”

Makenna smirks as her Granda nods his head to her. “That means gentlemen that there’s opportunities for you to rise through the ranks. We’re going to need Underbosses for when we take over the rest of the USA. Those that stand with us will be rewarded. Those that go against us,” she smiles brightly, “well those motherfuckers will realize what it means to betray the family. Their blood will be spilled.”

She squeezes my hand letting me know that I’m free to talk. “As you’re aware, I married the badass that is your Boss.” Makenna and her brothers laugh at my words. “I’m also your Boss, and when I take over as the head of the Famiglia, she’ll be their Boss too. Times are changing, our union is only going to make our families stronger. Anyone who has a problem with who I am or what my wife and I are doing, then I encourage you to be a man and step forward.”

The murmuring begins as the men start to talk among themselves. No doubt wondering what’s going to happen if they step forward and go against us. After a couple of minutes three men step forward.

“Speak, Thomas,” Makenna demands and the man flinches at her harsh tones.

“Boss,” he starts, his voice unsure and trembling. “We don’t need an Italian fucker to lead us. We’re Irish, we have pride.” He sneers in my direction and I glare at him.

“Yes, we have pride, we also have fucking respect,” Makenna fires back. “That is my husband you are talking about, the man that is going to rule with me.”

“Eric, talk,” Makenna tells him as she leaves that other fucker standing there wondering what’s going to happen to him. I glance to the man on my right.

“Boss, I’m just not sure if joining forces with the Italians is the right way to go.” He’s softly spoken, like he’s talking to a friend, trying to get her to see reason. It’s not going to work.

Makenna turns to her father, dismissing Eric.

“Michael, speak,” Seamus says, and I turn my attention to the left where a man is standing alone.

“Boss, I have been with you from the beginning. You have had my trust and loyalty from the get-go. But this? A woman leading us.” He shakes his head in disgust and I’m itching to move forward and snap his fucking neck. No one disrespects Makenna. Ever. “A woman...” he spits out. “Has no place here.”

“Anyone else have a problem with my granddaughter being the fucking Boss?” Henry asks, his voice booming as he does. No one says a word. “Clinton, tell me, what do you think of Makenna Bianchi?”

The man in question steps forward and holds his head up high. “The Boss is someone I respect, sir. She has my loyalty and in turn, I know that she has my back if things get tough. She’s a hard but loyal Boss and I for one am happy to have her lead us.” Every man in the clearing, except for the three fucking bastards, nod in agreement.

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