Page 43 of Hateful Union

Raylee tilts her head to the side and glares at her best friend. “Gabs, seriously?”

“What pervy arshole?” I query, as I look between the two girls.

“Ramirez,” Gabby answers in disgust. “He doesn’t look at Raylee’s face, just her breasts.”

“Not that I can blame him,” Christian mutters and I snap my fist back and push it into his gut, earning a winded grunt from him. “Fuck, what the hell was that for?”

“Watch your fucking mouth,” I snap. I won’t tolerate anyone treating her like she’s a piece of meat. I won’t tolerate my men talking about her either.

“Shit,” he hisses as he sucks in a deep breath. “Sorry, Ray.”

Raylee waves him off, “It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

My jaw is going to be broken by the end of the night with the amount I’m fucking clenching it. I ignore what she said as I know if we get into who’s treated her like shit I’m going to go on a rampage. “Who the fuck is Ramirez?”

“The cop,” Raylee explains, “the liaison between the Spanish police and Interpol. They couldn’t find anyone better and sent that arsehole.” She rolls her eyes, “It says a fucking lot about Interpol if he’s the best they’ve got.”

Gabby nods, “He treats her like shit, like she’s not worthy of his time. He’s an arsehole. But he changed his tune today when she gave him all the evidence he needed. He’ll probably end up getting a promotion from this case.”

She’s not wrong. Bringing down one of the biggest crime families is huge. But bringing down one of the biggest traffickers in Europe is career changing.

“What I’d like to know,” Christian says once he’s caught his breath back. “Is how you managed to get all that evidence? We’re good, and we haven’t even got a third of what you did.”

The girls share a look and Gabby nods. “Gabby’s father’s helping me,” Raylee announces and the vibe around the table changes instantly.

“Your father?” Christian says cautiously. “Your birth certificate lists no father.”

“Well her mum sure as fuck isn’t the Virgin Mary and it was no immaculate conception which means she has a father,” Raylee snaps, her eyes narrowing as she glares at him.

I interject before my woman takes my man’s balls. “Okay, so why the secrecy?”

“My dad is married,” she rolls her eyes. “It’s the typical bullshit, he went to London on a business trip, met Mum, they had an affair and then he left. Mum was pregnant and when he found out, they came up with an arrangement to keep me quiet and he purchased a villa here in Spain so we could live here in peace.”

Now I’m curious. “Who’s your father?”

“Joe Ranieri,” she replies and the tension ramps up yet again.

“Your father is the Denver Mafia Boss?” Christian can’t keep the awe out of his voice. “He’s ‘The Snake’.”

Gabby’s scowl grows deeper, “I’m well aware of who my father is.”

The Snake is the most notorious Mafia Boss on the West side of the States. He’s sly and cunning, and has no hesitation in double crossing even his closest allies. The man is very rarely wrong and will do whatever it takes to ensure that he stays as Mafia Boss. Although he’s the most notorious, he’s also the most respected as he’s upfront about who he truly is. You cross him, you’re fucked. He even finds out that you’ve thought about it, you’re done.

“Your father lets you be around Harry Silver?” Christian asks. “Is he fucking stupid? That man is a piece of shit. Hell the entire Silver family are.”

Gabby’s eyes narrow as Raylee sits up straight, her golden-brown eyes filled with anger. “Fuck you,” she hisses and I can see just how much what Christian said has affected her. “I’m nothing like my father. Don’t like me? The door’s there, don’t let it hit you on the way out.” She reaches for her glass that is still full and gets to her feet, moving back into the villa.

“You’re an arsehole,” Gabby snarls. “Raylee is putting herself in danger, putting her life on the line to ensure that no one else has to befall what the other women have at the hands of her father. She’s nothing like Harry.”

Christian scrubs his hands over his face. “I didn’t mean her.”

Gabby’s not letting him have an inch. “I don’t care. What Raylee’s doing…” She shakes her head. “She’s fucking frightened that when they find out they’re all going to turn on her. She’s just found out that Mayer started the ball rolling with the cops and she’s determined to finish what he started.”

“What?” Now that was something that was kept fucking quiet. Mayer was a CI?

“And you…” She turns to me, her finger pointing in my direction. God, this girl’s got some balls. Then again, she’s friends with Raylee, it’s no wonder she does. “All her life, she’s been used as a means to get to her family. Men use her in hopes of being brought into the fold. Girls befriend her to get close to her brothers. Not one person has ever wanted Raylee for Raylee except Mayer and I.”

With that tidbit she gets to her feet and follows Raylee into the villa.

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