Page 8 of Fragile Union

"Well, well don't you two look cozy," the sneer is loud enough for us to hear.

My lips snap shut, and I grit my teeth as my body bristles. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Fucking Georgina.

"Doll face," Rome says so only I can hear him, "when a bitch, any bitch, threatens what we have, what we're growing, you don't back down. You stake your fucking claim and make it known. You are mine and I am yours."

I stand up taller and face her. He's right, he is mine and I'm his. He's also the Underboss and he deserves respect. I am his wife, the daughter of the head of the Irish Mafia and the Great-granddaughter of the original leader of the Clann. I deserve the respect.

"And don't you look desperate," I say with a bright smile on my face. "I mean, you've already been told nobody wants your skanky arse, and yet you're still here."

Her cheeks pink as she stamps her foot. "You little..."

I shake my head. "Ah, ah, ah. Now we learn this shit when we're at school. You do not throw a tantrum when you don't get your own way. Now stop being a desperate slag and please feel free to go to the bar and get yourself a drink. I'm sure as the night wears on, the alcohol starts to flow, and the beer goggles start to come round, you'll be able to persuade some poor unassuming fella to bring you home."

Romero's hand tightens on my hip. "You were warned, Georgina." His voice filled with anger and she shudders. "I fucking told you what would happen if you came after my wife."

She narrows her eyes at us. "Why?" she asks. "Why her? What does she have that I don't?"

I suddenly realize why she's so desperate. She's lost the man she loves.

"So fucking much," he tells her, his tone getting colder by the second.

"Now, you've been told to move on," Da says, injecting himself into the conversation. "You have a choice," he says with a wicked smile. "You can go to the bar and get a drink. Fuck. As many as you want, it's an open bar. But you stay, you leave my son and daughter alone."

"Or," Makenna says, stepping up to her so they're face to face. "You can carry on being a fucking bitch and I'll have no problem laying you out. I don't give a fuck if that means going to war with your uncle."

"Georgina." The heavy sigh of a man pushing through the throngs of people has Romero on edge, and his hand at my hip tightens even more. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He grips her wrist and pulls her roughly to him. "I apologize for my niece," he says to Romero, Makenna, and Dante. "We'll be on our way."

"Like I said," I begin and I see my Da smirk. "If she can behave herself, she can stay. She's only upsetting herself. She doesn't matter to us."

"Atta girl, doll face," Romero praises me.

"Carter, sort her out," Da grounds out and it's weird to see this side to him. Around us he's easy going and fun loving. But then he can switch so quickly. It's clear to see why he's the boss.

"Mr. Carter, please have a wonderful evening and thank you for joining us in celebrating our union," I tell him with a bright smile.

He's caught off guard; from the way Da and Romero are scowling at him, he didn't expect to have me be nice.

"Thank you, Mrs. Bianchi," he says with a smile. "You're a lucky man, Romero. Congratulations."

"Fucking asshole," Romero grunts when Mr. Carter leaves. "Doll face, can I just say, that was fucking epic. I mean, I know you were pissed but you kept your cool and killed them with kindness."

"That's our Holly," Da says as he kisses my cheek. "Don't let that tramp get you down."

"Romero was right. You're so much fucking better than that bitch, she was so desperate for attention she practically wore white to your wedding."

"Come on, let's get you some food, you've not eaten since breakfast," Romero says as he begins to lead me away from the throng of people.

Malcolm catches my eyes and smiles. For those words alone I know Malcolm approves.

“Holly, did you really have to wear that?” Ma sneers at me hours later. God, I forgot she was here. Somehow, she had managed to keep her mouth shut for a few hours and kept away from me.

Georgina and Mr. Carter left a while ago, only staying for an hour before he dragged her out of here. I thought the drama and bullshit had left but I was wrong.

I watch in shock as Melissa reaches for Ma’s arm. “That’s enough, Zoe,” she says as she pulls her from the reception room.

I go to stand, but Romero puts his hand on my shoulder stopping me. “Leave her, doll face. She’s a fucking cunt and if she says one more derogatory thing about you, I’ll forget she’s a woman and fucking end her.”

“He’s right, Hols, leave her. She’s obviously been pissing the women off today. What happens, happens, she deserves it,” Mal says cryptically and now I’m wondering if something is going to happen other than them talking.

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