He couldn’t believe the bullshit that was coming out of Dominic’s mouth.
Actually, he didn’t even know where it was coming from.
Yes, he had always felt like an outsider to this family. But he had still hoped that he was in a small way, still part of it. That he didn’t have to be super close like the rest of them to still matter.
He had moved across the country with Dominic, followed him out of some sense of loyalty. But now when the tables were turned, he was getting a look at the fact that same loyalty, was very one sided.
“Listen Dominic, I don’t care what it is you think you have on her—”
“She could be working for them Mark! How can you not see that?”
Mark took a deep breath, trying to keep his anger in check.
He had always tried to be respectful to the Mancini family and the Familia. But right now, Dominic wasseriouslytesting his control.
“Dominic listen …” Rick said, trying to butt into the conversation, more than likely to help him out.
Then again, he wasn’t so sure of anything anymore.
“Fucking stay out of this Rick!”
Mark grit his teeth.
“He doesn’t know what he’s getting into. Some pussy shows up and he just up and leaves for a year! He’s putting this whole family in danger!” Dominic continued.
At the word pussy, his control snapped, he couldn’t take this anymore. The pain of hearing it from a man that he considered a mentor, a brother, and his family, was just too much.
Before he could do anything, the doors flew open hitting the wall behind them. All three of them stood quickly, tensing as the women walked in.
Alice looked nervous, her hands twisting in front of her, her eyes flying between all of them. Christine had her head held high and she looked livid.
But his eyes were on his little bird.
She was standing in front of the other two, her hands on her hips and her eyes were shooting fire straight at Dominic.
“I don’t know what your problem is, but if you have a problem with me, you take it up with me. You leave Mark out of it,” she said and he smiled, as she walked right up to him and placed herself in front of him.
Standing directly between him and Dominic
He had never seen a more beautiful sight.
With her blond hair up in a ponytail showing the delicate curve to her neck, her curves fitting to him like a mold as she leaned back into him, giving him her weight. He wrapped his arms around her, letting the feel of her soak into him.
For the last year he had always been there for her, no matter what. It had become his purpose and reason. He never once thought of asking for anything in return. But the fact that she was there not only defending him, but standing there in front of him.
Protectinghim.
It meant more than she would ever know.
To have someone that was truly there to take your back.
That little hole in his chest closed just a little bit more. Just another stich in the gaping hole that she was slowly weaving together.
Mending him.
But he didn’t have the time to contemplate it all.
