Page 49 of Fragile Union

“Go…” he says, his voice weak as his body trembles.

“No, I can’t, please don’t make me,” I plead with him, tears soaking my face. This is too fucking much.

“Jade,” Finn groans.

Jade pulls at my arm, “Come on, Hol, we’ll get to the safe room and we’ll call for help. Please,” now she’s the one pleading with me, but she, unlike me, hasn’t broken down, she’s all business.

I let her pull me to my feet and notice the gun in her hand.

“Take another step and I’ll shoot him dead,” a male voice calls out and I turn to see a balding guy step forward, gun in hand pointed at Finn.

I stand stock still, unable to move. My throat lodged with fear as my tears continue to cascade down my face.

“Go,” Finn urges us, but neither Jade nor I can.

“Ms. Gallagher, you’re coming with us,” the arsehole demands.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Jade yells, her gun pointed at the man and she fires. I watch with absolute horror as the man falls to his knees, blood pouring from the wound in his chest.

The sound of footsteps has me backing up a step, the man on his knees lifts his gun and takes aim once again. Gunshots sound and pain slices through my shoulder. I release a strangled cry as more shots sound, this time when fire and pain throb from my leg, I collapse to the ground, my head connecting with the steps with a jarring thud. Blackness seeps into my vision, the pain in my body intensifies and the last conscious thought I have is that I didn’t hear a sound from Jade.

Eighteen

ROMERO

“Antonio…” Dante says with a nod of his head. “It’s good to see you.”

Our cousin flashes us his easy smile, “Same, although, I’m pissed no one thought to inform me of what happened the last time you were here.”

My teeth clench at his words. The last time we were here was a few days ago when Holly was shot. The image of her laying on the ground bleeding is something that repeats over and over in my mind. I don’t think I’ll ever not be able to see it. I should have protected her.

Antonio Conti is the head of the Conti family. His mother and our father were siblings. Antonio’s father, mother, sister-in-law, and nephew were slaughtered at the hands of their enemy - the Romano’s. When that happened, we, the Famiglia, went to war and wiped out the Romano’s. Of course, they’re not all gone. There’s two that remain Stefano and Fabio. The uncle and nephew duo are the worst of the Romano’s but went into hiding when our family went on a rampage.

“Well, you were…” Dante begins, “pre-occupied and we needed to get Holly home.”

He nods, “I understand,” he turns to me, “your wife is very beautiful and probably one of the smartest women I’ve met. She takes no shit from anyone and that includes Luca.”

Luca Conti is the coldest motherfucker I have ever met. He was in love with Aurora Romano when he was a teenager, he watched as her car got blown to pieces with her inside, not to mention he saw his parents and nephew dead. He changed, as would any of us, he’s the most feared man in Illinois. But he’s also one of the most loyal men I’ve ever encountered and would do anything for his family. That includes Dante, Alessio, and I.

I smile as Dante smirks. “That’s Holly, she also has a mean right hook.” Antonio grins, eager to learn more. “Georgina showed up the next morning and Holly had enough of her shit.”

Antonio rubs his hands together. “I need to know, Fratello, where are you finding these women?”

“Ireland,” Dante replies dryly, which has Antonio throwing his head back and laughing. The ass.

The door opens behind us and in walks, Luca, Marco, Enzo, Dominic, Manny, and Giovanni. “Well now, I had no idea we were having a party,” Enzo says as he takes in Dante and I.

The Conti brothers are close, as I am with Dante. But the seven of them have managed to integrate into society more than most Mafia families. I suspect that’s down to Marco, who studied law at his father’s insistence, hoping it would make the family seem more respectable. The rest of the brother’s own multiple businesses. They have the biggest front than any other outfit.

Antonio ignores his brother. “So, what brings you here?” The brothers are here in New York trying to work out a deal for some real estate.

“Carter,” Dante quickly explains all the shit that’s happened with Georgina, “how well do you know him?”

Antonio shrugs. “The man’s trying to be in everyone’s business. He wants to make a name for himself but it’s never going to happen. Yes, he’s got contacts but they’re not the right ones to make moves in this industry. Why?”

“I have a feeling about the man,” I say, he’s too slick.

Luca nods. “I agree, the man is a fucking sap, yet thinks he’s the biggest player in town. Fuck. There’s something I do not like about him.”

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