Page 51 of Fragile Union

Dante’s eyes are hard, his jaw clenched. “Then it’s time we showed those fuckers what happens when you mess with us.”

Both Denis and Danny step forward, their eyes filled with determination. “Strength in numbers,” Danny says, his gaze on Melissa, “you find anything, let us know.”

She nods, her mouth set into a tight line.

“We’re going to make a statement. One that can’t be fucking missed. It’s going to be hard, bloody, and messy.”

Liam and Hayden step forward. “Let’s make the city bleed,” Liam announces, the grin he has is sadistic, no doubt wanting revenge for his daughter being shot.

Dante and I walk ahead of the Irish men, Liam and Danny on their phones calling for backup. “Where the fuck is Alessio?” I demand to know, I’m barely keeping my shit contained and my brother isn’t here.

“I have no fucking idea. I’ve called him three times and no answer. When I get my hands on him, I’m going to kill him,” Dante growls, rightfully pissed. Alessio is Dante’s Consigliere, he’s to be on hand at any moment. But Alessio’s not beating to anyone’s drum but his own and he’s looking to get himself killed.

“Get in line, brother, the way I’m feeling, I’m taking everyone out.”

“That’s what love will do for you,” he says and my body goes solid. “Come on, Rome, you can’t hide it any longer. We all know you love Holly, it’s clear as fucking day.”

“Love,” I scoff, that’s an emotion I have no grasp of.

He glances at me and shakes his head, not saying a word until we’re sliding into the front seat of the car having given out orders - we’re to go in hot, with as many men as possible. The Irish men getting into their own cars, we’re all anxious, and pissed.

“Loving someone isn’t a weakness, Rome,” Dante tells me, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. “It’s a fucking strength. Loving Makenna doesn’t mean I’m weak, it makes me fucking invincible. That feeling you have running through you. The one where you want to tear apart the world and get your wife back. That’s what being in love is. You’d do anything to protect them, cherish them….”

Love them.

Fuck. he’s right. I’d do all of that and more for Holly.

“Loving someone is putting them first. Wanting them to be happy, doing everything in your power to make them so.”

I grit my teeth. A piercing pain lances through my chest.

“Loving Holly is what makes you a better man.”

Damn it.

How the fuck did I not realize that I loved her?

“I can’t breathe,” I tell him, for the first time in my life, I’m showing my brother my weakness.

He nods. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, Rome, but we’re going to get her back,” he vows. “That feeling you have. Hold onto it. She’s going to need you to have it. Use it against those who have harmed her.”

The heaviness I have in my chest is making it hard to focus. It’s a reminder of what’s missing, what I failed to protect. Fuck. She’s my wife. The only person in this world I cherish above all else. The one woman I’d happily walk away from the family for. My lifeline.

The rest of the car journey is silent, both of us lost in our thoughts. I can’t think about anything other than Holly. That may make me selfish, I don’t give a fuck. She’s mine. I’d tear down the fucking white house if that’s where she was being held.

Dante stops outside a boxing gym; I turn to him in question. “What the fuck are we doing here?”

He smirks. “This is Maksim’s pride and joy. He has the biggest and best fighters in the States. He prides himself on how nothing touches this business. Well, that’s about to change.” He slides out of the car and I’m right behind him.

Maksim doesn’t want his boxing empire mixing with his organized crime? Well too fucking bad. I reach behind me to my back hostler, my fingers closing around the butt of my gun. Just having the weight of it in my hands makes me feel a little less frantic. I know I’m a little feral right now. I couldn’t give a fuck. That’s what happens when you take a man’s woman. When you take a good fucking woman. One that’s so pure she breathes life into a dead man and that’s exactly what I was until she came into my life.

I existed, I breathed, slept, and worked. I didn’t live. I went through the motions, did what was expected of me. I didn’t feel. Until Holly. Now, well now I’m feeling too fucking much. The pain of losing her almost brought me to my knees.

Doors slam closed and I know we’re being surrounded by our men, by the Irish men.

Dante raises his hand, stopping anyone from going in ahead. “I don’t give a fuck what you do. Shoot to kill if you have too. Leave at least two alive.”

The men nod in agreement, each of them wearing the same expression on their faces. Anger, determination, and vengeance. The Irish want revenge for the bastards taking their princess. The Italian’s want revenge for them taking my wife. We’re all united in one cause. Getting Holly back and making the fuckers pay for taking her.

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