They do as they are told, but not without Gemma scowling the whole way.
Once the door shuts, I turn my attention back to the Irishman in front of me, almost feeling pity for him but not quite. He could have warned us but didn’t. In my book, that makes him an enemy rather than a friend.
“Here’s the deal. You’ll continue selling us weapons, but the negotiations change from fifty-fifty to seventy-thirty percent. You basically held the gun to my Don’s head, my fucking father, and I won’t forget that.” I watch as Danny’s face begins to turn red like his hair, and his fists clench on top of his desk with rage, but he slowly nods in agreement.
“Aye,” he grumbles and sends up a silent prayer, crossing himself before looking back at me. “I know you well, since you were a lad. What else do you want?”
“You’ll be telling your church that no one messes with the Messinas, and I’m coming for them. I want names, O’Connor, and you’re going to help me if you don’t want a full-out war.” I let that sink in without breaking his gaze and slowly start to smirk as his eyes narrow in suspicion.
“Anything else?” he manages to grit out, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.
I stand up, buttoning my suit jacket, and loom over his desk with one brow raised, letting him sweat until I finally let the words slip out that have been on my mind for months.
My obsession is about to become a reality.
“Your daughter, O’Connor. I plan to make her mine.” I demand, holding his furious gaze as his brown eyes blaze with a spark of hate, but he knows he’s stuck in a corner. I will destroy his whole brotherhood, saving him for last, and still take his daughter away from him.
I just want his agreement because it gives me power, and it's something I can hold over his head for as long as helives. It disgusts me how easy it is for him to hand over his daughter. I’d burn down the world for my precious Iris before even considering handing her over to anyone. She’s become my everything since the day she was painting in the courtyard.
“You have my blessing,” he grinds out and slams back more whiskey straight from the bottle. I turn my back on him without another word, leaving the lonely man to his sorrows.
This is a day of profound sadness, but a bright turning point because Iris will finally be mine.
“You plan to take my rose away from me now?” he stutters in astonishment, probably thinking I gave up my obsession after not coming to collect her. Years have gone by without me doing anything.
“It’s always been the plan. I let her settle to heal, and you’ve had time to make your amends with her for what you’ve done to her. I’m taking my wife home.” I’m not fucking around, and I enjoy watching him stumble and drop back heavily into his seat, with disbelief evident on his face.
“I—I thought you’d forget…” he starts to mutter, but shakes his head and just stares at me with wide brown eyes.
“You think I’d forget I have a wife and leave her behind? You forget yourself, old man. Iris has been mine for years, and I’ve been taking care of her when you couldn’t. I’m being generous, letting you see your daughter to say goodbye, that is, if she even wants to hear your voice.”
“When?” he chokes out, slumping back in his seat with watery red eyes, no doubt the guilt eating him alive since it’s his fault that his daughter is practically blind and married without her knowledge.
“I was going to give her two weeks, but I’ve grown impatient. In five days' time, she’ll be leaving the States with me and will be safe.” I at least promise him that, and I can feel the vein in my neck throbbing because, until Bratva is dealt with andVictor learns not to mess with Messinas, I won’t feel comfortable without Iris by my side, where I can keep her from getting hurt.
“Don’t hurt her again, Danny, or I’ll fucking kill you myself.” I warn and leave without another word, just listening to an upset, sad father destroying his office with howls of rage behind me.
CHAPTER 6
ROMEO
That one night, two and a half years ago
Iwonder what she’s doing at this very moment.
Ever since she caught my eye, it’s become a sick obsession of mine. I’ve never even thought twice about a woman after bedding her. But Iris… I haven’t fucked her, and she’s all I think about. I hardly recognize myself. I feel paranoid, as if I should be watching her and making sure she’s safe. Preferably in my bed. She's O'Connor's daughter, and I shouldn't be lusting for my business partner's biological daughter. It’s just part of the rules. You leave the women and children out of the family business and don’t stick your cock in their daughters unless you want to start a war or get shot point-blank in the forehead. But I already said fuck it, she will be mine, and I plan on keeping her. Screw Danny O’Connor.
“Boss. There’s been some talk… underground.” Vixen strides into my office without bothering to knock and plops herself down in the chair across from my desk with a grunt.
“Yes, do come in. Disrespectful brat.” I gesture sarcastically towards the chair where she is already lounging, displaying lazyand unladylike behavior with her legs spread open and arms crossed over her chest, wearing an arrogant grin.
“You love me, cuzo. Everybody knows it, including me, so I like to use it to my advantage since I know I can get away with shit. Sometimes it’s great being the female cousin in a family of alpha assholes. I can keep them in line by kicking their asses.” She chuckles as I raise an eyebrow at her, my lips twitching to hold back my amusement.
“Yes, yes. You're a badass. Now tell me what you heard and leave out the details of how you obtained this information. I’m scarred for life from the last time I, unfortunately, asked how you gain intel.” I suppress a shudder and mentally bleach my brain as memories try to resurface. Her detailed description of her last assignment was told with a beaming grin on her face, about how she pulled information on the north side gang of the cartel that was trying to open business on our turf. I still cringe and want to protect the family jewels just from the memory. Whoever gave my cousin a blade deserves a salary raise, or maybe not. No man wants to hear how she carved the fucker up and shoved his balls down his throat.
“Ah, don’t be like that. I got the assignment done without any traces leading back to the familia. The task was completed quickly and efficiently. I dare say you are building a reputation on the streets, where no one conducts business without coming to you first.” With a wolfish grin, she spins the blade lazily in her palm.
“Jesus. Put that away. I don’t need you flashing everyone with that thing.” I softly joke, knowing that I’d let her get away with any shit, unlike the rest of my cousins. She’s the only female in the family who works on the business side of dealings, but in a different way. She brings pride to the family and consistently completes tasks, regardless of the difficulty. Dare I say better than most of my men when it comes to a hit.
