Page 44 of Owned By the Mafia

“The guards are all gone,” she whispers to me, looking around. I’m keenly aware that the outside festivities have quietened down.

“Please, like the heads of these families don’t have secret backup plans.” I motion for the two of them to follow me to the kitchen, where I open the window slowly and quietly.

This short Italian guy really can harp on about new blood and nonsense.

“You see, gentlemen and ladies. My brother is the head of our family, but I’m most looking forward to running his territories for him. You may not know of us this side of the ocean, but you will know our might shortly. Either we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way, starting with the women.” He motions around. “Which will it be?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dina looking up at me, and I take aim with a smirk on my lips.

“Time for new blood indeed,” she murmurs as I pull the trigger.

The side of the short Italian’s head explodes, and I immediately aim and shoot at Aiden. That’s when chaos erupts as every family member, young or old, pulls out their guns and starts firing at the enemy. Tables are flipped, and bullets fly, but there are more family members than soldiers from the Baldocchi family, and the soldiers are getting slaughtered.

I withdraw my rifle and drop it, taking out my handguns. I lead Dina and Jarryd out to the garden and join the family members in returning fire as the Baldocchi men flee. I don’t think they expected so many people to be armed, especially since many older family members are here. It’s rather amusing, really. They really must be a green behind-the-ears family trying to do this.

Soon enough, I hear Ivan calling for everyone to stop firing, and I look to the center, where the heads of the families are all standing. Ivan, Alessandro, and Ronan make their way over to the three of us, and we stand a little straighter.

“Well done, little Quinn.” The Russian leader is tall, and I have to lift my head to look at him. “You’ve done well today. A lot more blood would have been shed if you hadn’t intervened and caused a decent distraction.”

Alessandro looks around as everyone starts making their way quickly out of the venue. “We should get out of here. I’ll let Dominic deal with the police. He’ll smooth things over.”

I smile and glance at Dina when Ronan clears his throat. “While you two make a good team, you cannot be together.”

My heart drops in my chest, and I can feel Dina tense. Before she can say anything, Alessandro sighs. “I know, it’s rich coming from us. It’s different. You’re seen as one of the guys. You’re on their level. It sows division among the men and causes problems like this.” He motions around him.

Ivan nods. “It is sad. I have come to be one for true love stories. I’m afraid, though, this isn’t going to work.”

Alessandro looks at Dina. “I’ll send you out to work with Shirley, not as a punishment, but absence might make it easier to move on.”

I glance at Dina, who swallows hard. She’s being so brave.

“Can I take her home?” I ask. “So I can say a proper goodbye.”

“This is the last time,” Ronan’s voice has a warning tone as the three men turn to deal with the ruined event.

I squeeze Dina’s hand and take her out of the party. Jarryd follows us onto the street and then hands me the car keys. “I’ll catch a lift with Ronan.”

I smile appreciatively. “Thanks, little lad.”

Jarryd rolls his eyes and wanders off to find Ronan while Dina and I stroll toward the car without a word.

As we pass by people on the street, I notice that no lines are drawn between these family members as they check on each other to ensure no one is hurt. Russians check Italians, and the Irish check Russians. There’s no division.

If we were of a higher rank, we’d be allowed to pursue each other. It frustrates me so much.

Dina squeezes my hand as we pass out of sight of the last people, and I look to see a tear rolling down her cheek.

“No,” I say quietly. I take her face in my hands and wipe her tears away. “Don’t let the last time we’re together be sad. I want you to think of me and smile, no matter what our families say.”

“They’re not my family,” she mutters, taking a shaky breath. “They’re my employers.”

I bite my lip and kiss her softly. “You’re my family. Distance won’t change that. If I can’t have you, I’ll simply become a monk.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “I want you to be happy.”

“How can I when my heart is outside my chest and moving across the country,” I murmur.

I pull her into a hug and stand there, holding onto her tightly until we’re both a little stiff.

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