Page 32 of Bloody Union

His gaze moves from Makenna to Alessio, “And you?”

“Fine,” Alessio replies with a grunt and Makenna pins him with a glare. “I’m alive, thanks to Makenna.”

Killian nods, “She’s good. But we’re going to see how good you Bianchi’s really are.” His eyes sweep through the three of us. “I take it you’re the lucky one that she chose for this,” he says to Romero with a grin.

Romero glances at Makenna with a glare and her response? To smile sweetly at him. “And what exactly did she choose me for?”

Killian grins and opens the door in front of us, “You’re about to see.”

When the door is open fully, I see a boxing ring in the middle of the room. There’s at least thirty men here, all of whom turn to face us when we enter.

“Follow me and for the love of God, do not look down. Keep your head held high,” she says, her gaze on Alessio. She strolls into the room and I keep in step beside her. Her stride is full of purpose; she’s working the room like she owns it. Every man in this room has respect for her.

“Boss?” I hear a man call out.

Makenna’s steps don’t falter. “Talk to me after Michael, make sure your son is in attendance,” she tells the man, not even looking at him.

My gaze lands on the man and I see the smile on his lips, what she said is what he wanted to hear. “Yes, Boss, and congratulations on your nuptials.”

That gets a smile from her. “Appreciated,” she murmurs as she reaches for my hand and we stand in front of the boxing ring. “For those that don’t know, I got married yesterday.” There are some nods, a few murmurs, but mostly keen gazes. “I’d like for you to meet my husband Dante Bianchi.”

I give them a nod, not saying anything, this is her show… For now.

“If you have a problem, you come to one of us. He and I are as one. Now, do you have any questions?”

“Yeah, Boss, I do.” A man steps forward, he must be in his late thirties, early forties. He’s got jet black hair and is wearing a suit, one of the very few here to be in one. Makenna motions for him to carry on. “You’re marriage to the Bianchi, does that mean that the Italian’s and the Irish will be joining forces?”

Makenna glances at me and smiles, “Want to take this one, love?”

I roll my eyes at the endearment, it doesn’t suit her. “Sure, baby,” I murmur and her lips twitch. “As soon as my father is no longer Capo, I will be and in turn, Makenna will be. That means that my men and Makenna’s men will be our men. Anyone who has a problem with that let us know now.”

Makenna’s smile widens, “Exactly what my husband said. We are building something here, gentleman, and it’s something that we’ve worked hard for. We’ve known for five years that this day would come and we knew what it would mean.”

The men nod again. “Boss, what about your father?” the same man says and the glances of the other men get nervous.

“That’s a conversation between us, but he’ll be brought up to speed with what’s happening.”

“He’ll also have to be informed that from now on he answers to you.” I turn my attention from the crowd to the voice and see the newcomer standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and smiling as he looks at Makenna. The fucker’s tall, over six-feet. Tattoos cover his arms, as well as one on his neck.

“Fucking hell, Danny boy, I told you to tell her that shit in private.” Killian groans and climbs into the ring.

“Any more questions?” Makenna says ignoring the man. “That doesn't involve my father?”

“What about the other men?”

Makenna nods, “Next week we’ll hold a meeting. Everymade manis to be in attendance. If they're not, there will be hell to pay. Do I make myself clear?”

A chorus of ‘Yes, Boss’ goes around the room.

“Good, now those who are staying for the show, do. Those that aren’t, leave,” she instructs and a dozen or so men leave, bidding her a farewell and giving me a chin lift in respect. This went a hell of a lot better than I had expected.

She glares at me. “This may have seemed easy, Dante, but it won’t be. Those were my Underbosses and they aren’t disrespectful. Well not in front of you. If they have concerns I’m going to hear about it. Themade menare a different problem altogether. Some of them resent the fact that I’m a woman, others because I’m a hell of a lot younger than them, and some are a mixture of the two. It doesn’t matter how many times I prove myself, they’re not going to like it and now having an Italian husband is going to add more fuel to the fire.”

I pull her into my arms and her glare turns feral. “Fuck, Kenna, don’t look at me like that, you make me want to fuck you against the nearest wall.” Her eyes dilate at my words, “Now, what are you going to do if someone disrespects you?”

“I’ll kill them. Just as you would.” There’s absolutely no hesitation in her words. It’s great that she has the talk, but can she actually go ahead with it?

She pulls out of my arms and smiles, “Now, if you don’t mind, I have shit to do.”

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