Page 3 of Bloody Union

"What the fuck was that about?" Romero asks as he makes his way out of the bar behind the bikers.

I have no fucking idea.

* * *

"Are you ready for this?"Romero asks and I glare at him.

"Of course he's ready," my father says and I shift my glare to him, unlike my brother he doesn't back down. "War between the families has been going on for decades, this wedding is finally a way to bring peace." It's a warning. He's telling me not to fuck up.

"I know my duty, Father," I say through clenched teeth.

"The wedding is in three days, Dante. One mistake and we'll pay dearly."

I don't answer him, instead I keep my gaze firmly in front of me. Seamus, Finn, Patrick, and Cian Gallagher stand at their door, all of their eyes on us. Seamus glares at my father, whereas the Gallagher brother’s death glares are aimed at me.

"Do they really think they can out shoot us?" Alessio comments as he takes in the guards that surround the monstrosity of the Gallagher Mansion. The Fucking Irish don't do things small by any means. They're flashy assholes.

Our father gives Alessio a harsh look, we've seen that look a thousand times. It doesn't work on any of us. Not anymore. "Enough of your shit," he demands.

We walk toward the Gallagher's, none of us are happy about this but right now, we've got to deal with it. "Gentleman," Seamus calls out and I grit my teeth.

"Where is she?" My father asks, with a bite to his tone.

Christ.

"She'll be here soon. Right now, we've got some things to iron out." Seamus' eyes are hard as he glares at my father.

As Capo, my father leads. I, as his capo bastone, or Underboss as most call it, follow. Although, if I have anything to say about it, Romero will be my capo bastone when I become the Capo. My father's time has come to an end and it's only a matter of time before he meets his. My father is a monster, we all are; it’s who we are. But unlike my father, I'm not a fucking monster to those closest to me. I protect those that are and retaliate against those that hurt them.

My father nods, that's his signal that we're to follow the Gallagher's into the lion’s den. My father first, followed closely behind by me and then my brothers, our men hidden around the perimeter of the Gallagher mansion. Seamus and his sons lead us toward his office. I haven't been here since we agreed that I'd marry his only daughter, Makenna. She was fourteen when I last saw her, over five years ago. She was small and scrawny, pretty in an innocent way but I didn't pay too much attention. I'm not into kids and Makenna certainly was a child. I'm curious to see how she's changed.

Seamus opens the door to his office and I see that nothing’s changed since I was here last. The huge mahogany desk takes up half the fucking office. Yet again, it makes me wonder why they have to try and be so flashy, are they trying to make up for something?

My father takes a seat and I take the one beside him, both my brothers and the Gallagher brothers continue to stand.

"This is a waste of our time," my father grits out. We had come under the impression that we'd be seeing Makenna today, instead, we're going into his office to fucking chitchat.

"My daughter’s well-being—" Seamus begins, "—is not a waste of time," he growls. This is the first time that I've seen this side to him. Usually he's calm and composed. Sitting across from me now isn't the Ceannaire ar chách, instead he's a dangerous man who's determined to make sure that I look after his daughter.

This should be fun.

"Are you trying to insinuate that my son won't be a gentleman?"

I glance to my side where Romero is standing, a smile tugging on his lips. My name and the words gentleman don't belong in the same sentence. I'm anything but, and if Seamus thinks telling his daughter that will help, he's sorely fucking mistaken.

"Like Dante knows what being a gentleman consists of," Finn growls.

These men are playing a dangerous game, they've shown us their ultimate weakness and by doing so, they've shown us where to target them if need be.

"You have something to say?" I ask with a raised brow.

Seamus regards my father first and that pisses me the fuck off. I'm a grown ass man, one that has killed hundreds of men, my name is feared by everyone and yet I'm ignored because my father's the capo. My father nods, and Seamus turns his gaze to me.

"My daughter is—" He pauses if to find the right word. "Unique," he says with a glare at me.

"Difficult," Cian says and I see the loving smile on his face.

"A pain in the ass." Patrick grins.

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