I turn to Finn, he’s panting, his fist clenched and jaw tight as he stares down at our mother’s dead body. He’s not able to take his eyes off her. Looking at Patrick, I see his gaze on the floor, his brows pinched and I see a tear fall down his face. Out of all of us, he was the one that was closest to her. My attention turns to Cian, he is very much like Finn, his chest heaving as he stares widely at the scene in front of him.
I’m numb but relief washes over me. She’s no longer going to have the opportunity to hurt me again. I should feel something—guilt, anger, pain. But I don’t, I feel bad that my brothers are hurting, that my da’s hurting, but I’m not. I’m glad the bitch is dead.
“Your father isn’t going to know what hit him,” my da says.
Dante nods, “I already have a plan in place.”
Da grins. “Good, I want in. No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it.”
I’m pretty sure there was a threat in there somewhere.
“We’re the motherfucking Gallagher’s,” Da says. “We’re the ones that strike fear into everyone when they hear our name. We don’t keep secrets and we certainly don’t fucking keep secrets when it concerns my daughter.”
Killian shrugs, “Kenna didn’t want you to know and I was never around. I let it be, your boys loved their ma.”
“I don’t give a fuck. That woman should have paid the consequences a long fucking time ago.” Da stomps over to his chair and sits down, picking up his whiskey glass as he does.
“No more secrets, no more lies,” he tells us. “We’re a family, stronger than ever. We’re going to fucking rule the world, that includes being as one with the Italians. To new beginnings and being the motherfucking monsters we were born to be.”
We all raise our glasses as we toast. I glance back at my ma who’s still on the floor with her eyes open and for the first time since I was twelve I feel a little relief, and yet I know the worst is yet to come.
Fourteen
Dante
It’s been three days since Makenna’s father found out the truth about what happened to his daughter and did what any father would do. Killed the bitch that hurt her. Seamus has so many cops on his payroll that he managed to have her death swept under the rug. No one is going to go down for it. It’s the way it is in the Mafia. If we know the right people, have them on our payroll, everything can go away. The more money you have the better your life is. It’s a fact.
Today, we’re going to the funeral. It’s a fucking farce and if I had the choice, I’d burn the bitch’s body and leave it as that. But Seamus and Makenna both agreed for the sake of Finn, Patrick, and Cian they’d hold a service for her. Since Makenna has to be in attendance, I will be as well.
“Babe,” I say as she steps into the bedroom. She’s wearing black matching underwear, it’s lacy and she looks sexy as fuck.
She turns to glare at me before pulling on her black heels. “Dante, don’t. You’ve already fucked me twice this morning. We have to get ready otherwise we’re going to be late.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Kenna, after everything that bitch did to you, how the hell are you even calm?”
She walks over to me and my dick twitches. Seeing her in just her underwear and heels makes me want to throw her onto the bed and fuck her into complete oblivion. Her hand rests on my chest and she takes a deep breath. I’m completely gone for this woman, there’s no if, buts, or maybes. Makenna Bianchi owns me heart and soul. Her other hand rests on my jaw. “Are you going to be by my side?”
“Of course,” I scoff. Did she think I wouldn't be?
“That’s why I’m calm. Fuck, Dante. We’ve been together for a week. A fucking week and it feels as though we’ve been together for a lifetime. Whatever the hell it is between us is real.”
“It is, real, raw, and fucking passionate. You’re it for me, Makenna,” I tell her honestly and watch as she closes her eyes. I rest my forehead against hers. “I’m serious, I’m not going to lose you, Makenna. I’m going to spend the rest of our lives showing you just how much you mean to me.”
“You’ve accepted me from the get go. You never dismissed me and for that alone I do trust you. You want to care for me, protect me, cherish me…”
“Love you,” I tell her and her eyes flare with wariness and fear, but also with hope. “Yeah, babe, I fucking love you.”
She shakes her head, “It’s too soon.”
I grip her face between my hands. “Fuck too soon. It’s not. I’d die for you. When I met you I knew you were different. Seeing you in that fucking bar, I was drawn to you and I didn’t know why. Since then all you have shown me is how loyal, faithful, and fucking amazing you are. There was no way that I couldn’t love you.”
She looks up at me and I see the vulnerability shine through her. She looks beautiful. “I love you too,” she whispers. And that right there is why I’d give my life for this woman. She doesn't bullshit me. She’s open and honest, just lets me know whatever she’s thinking. No games. Not with me.
I crash my lips against hers and she melts into me. “I’m your husband, I’m also the man that loves you. It’s ingrained in me to protect you, but I also know that you’re the Boss.”
She smiles brightly at me, her eyes light up as she does, she’s fucking gorgeous. “We’re the Boss,” she corrects me.
“We’re the Boss and I’d never do anything to undermine you, just as you wouldn’t with me. I’m not going to hurt you or betray you. What I want is for us to build a life together.” My hands slide down her body to her ass and I pull her flush against my erection.
“Talking about building a life together, is there something you want to tell me?” She has a smile on her face. I don’t think I’ve seen her this carefree before.
I nip at her lip and her hips push against me. “What are you talking about babe?”
She moans when I bite her neck gently. “I’m not on birth control and you’ve not once used a condom. Are you trying to get me pregnant?”
My body tightens at her words. I realize that she’s right, we’ve not once used any form of contraception. “Are you opposed to children?” I ask cautiously, feeling like an asshole. I should have realized this.
“I’m not opposed. Don’t worry about it, if it happens it happens.”
I relax, “Good, because there’s no way I’m wearing a condom. Nothing gets in between us. Ever.”
She grins at me. “A little caveman-ish, don’t you think?”
I chuckle, “You’re my wife, Makenna, that means you’re mine.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re a Neanderthal. I’ve got to get dressed.” She raises up onto her toes and kisses my lips gently. “Love you,” she whispers and I deepen the kiss.
She pulls away and I can see the reluctance in her eyes. “I need to get ready. Please, will you go see if your brother has found anything out yet?”
I reach for my suit jacket, giving her one last kiss before I leave our bedroom.