Page 85 of Shattered Union

She nods. "Better than you by the looks of it."

"I'm hoping it'll get better soon."

A tall blonde guy stands, tattoos cover his neck and down into the collar of his shirt. He holds out his hands and I see even more tattoos on his hands and disappearing into his sleeve. "I'm Danny, this is my wife Melissa."

I smile warmly at him. There's no hostility from him and his wife is stunning. Where the hell did they find all these women? She's got jet-black hair and pale skin. She just like her husband is giving me a smile. Neither seems fake.

"It's really nice to meet you. Denis has told me a lot about you."

Danny grins. "That's because I'm the favourite."

I frown and turn to Denis, who's rolling his eyes. "I thought you said that was Mal?"

Laughter erupts from the table, and Denis leans down and pecks at my lips. "Nicely done,mo ghrá, now sit down and order some food."

"Hey, I'm Holly," the shy but gorgeous redhead says as she reaches for my hand. "This is my husband Romero."

The muscular Italian gives me a chin lift, and that's it. Cool as a fucking cucumber.

"Hey," I say, suddenly feeling as though I'm being judged right now by her and the woman sitting beside her.

"I'm Makenna," the blonde says and unlike everyone else, there's a slight edge to her tone. "This is my husband Dante."

"Hi," I say, keeping my tone friendly.

Denis sits beside Malcolm, and I take a seat beside him. He keeps his arm around my waist and holds me tight. "You okay?" I ask him quietly when everyone talks among themselves.

"I'm grand, baby," he assures me and kisses the side of my head.

"Did you manage to get it sorted?" Ava asks, coming to stand beside me.

"I called Bernard, he'll be here soon. He was still at work when I called. He's going to see if he can find out who called them and what the complaint was about."

"Bastards," she spits. "God help them when you find out."

Amen to that.

"Will you get Marcus to make me a pizza? I'm starving."

Her eyes soften. "Of course, your normal?"

I nod. "Please, and when I'm finished, I'll come and take over from Preston and start getting the breaks sorted."

She smiles at me. "No need. Preston made a few calls. Layla and Sophia are on their way in. You take it easy."

"Yes, boss," I quip.

She laughs. "That's got a good ring to it." She glances around the table. "Can I get anyone else any food?"

"Can I get a pizza too?" Raylee asks, "Just plain with extra cheese?"

Melissa's eyes light up. "I'll have the same, but with pepperoni."

Ava nods. "Sure, what about drinks?" She glances at me. "You want your usual?"

"Yep." I could get used to this treatment.

"Whatever it is, I'll have the same," Makenna says with a grin.

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