Page 28 of His to Break

It’s interesting to see how my wife and her brother interact. At first glance, they seem to have a good relationship. There was genuine warmth in their greeting. I wonder if Carlo’s aware that his children get along with each other. I’ll need to ask Vinnie about it later.

“It’s nothing personal, V.” Daniele’s assurance means nothing to her if the outraged huff she emits is anything to go by. “Jack Gallo’s coming here tonight. He’s pissed you blew up the arrangement to marry his uncle by marrying a Volante.”

News of our marriage obviously spread quickly. I wasn’t trying to keep it secret, but I didn’t broadcast it either. I prefer not to let people know what’s going on in my life.

“But he doesn’t know who I am.” Vinnie puts her hands on her hips, giving off a no-nonsense vibe. “I’ve met none of our relatives.”

“Maybe not, but they know who Leo is. He killed Jack’s brother, Joey, and his cousin Vito.”

“Really?” I feign innocence. “Why would I do that?”

Nobody should know that Antonio was shot since his assailants are dead and only immediate family members are aware of what happened. If Daniele does have some knowledge of the events of that night, someone has talked out of turn. My money would be on Isabella since she’s already proved herself capable of treachery.

“They were trying to move in on your territory. Everyone knows you were out for blood after they sold those AKs to the Russians.”

I smile tightly. “Hardly a reason to kill two men.”

Actually, it’s more than enough justification to strike at bottom feeders like the Gallos. If one of those assholes breathed on me wrong, I’d be happy to put an end to him.

“Look, Leo,” Daniele says in a measured tone. “I don’t care if you cut them into tiny pieces and fed them to your dog, but Jack is out for blood and he’s pissed at both of you. I don’t want my sister getting hurt. You need to leave.”

Putting Vinnie in harm’s way isn’t something I want to do either, but I can’t just slink out of here with my tail between my legs. Before I have the chance to weigh my options, Vinnie intervenes.

“So you’re throwing us out? You’re choosing the Gallos over me?” She employs emotional blackmail with obvious success, as Daniele actually flinches.

“It’s not like that, V.”

“No, it’s fine.” Her tone says it’s anything but. “I get it.”

She whirls around and storms from the room. I go after her, catching up to my wife as she reaches the door leading back into the VIP area.

“Are you okay?” I ask, taking her hand as we walk out into the club.

“I’m fine,” she assures me. “I didn’t want either of you to lose face.”

With every minute I spend in this woman’s company, I appreciate her a bit more. She threw that little tantrum so I wouldn’t have to give in and let her brother eject me from the club. The fact it also saves Daniele from having to try to make me leave is beside the point. She didn’t want me to be forced to back down. I like having this woman on my side.

As we make our way toward the exit, Jack Gallo steps in our path. As usual, he has two bodyguards with him, both much taller than his five-foot-eight frame. Vinnie doesn’t react to him, so I don’t think she’s aware this is one of her distant cousins.

“Gallo.” I’m not so much acknowledging him as letting Vinnie know who he is. Her fingers curl tighter around my hand.

“So, this is the little cunt Carlo’s been hiding from the world.” He looks Vinnie up and down with obvious appreciation. It makes me want to stick a knife in his throat.

“What do you want?” I demand as two of my friends—Nico, who insisted on shadowing me tonight, and John—approach. I don’t need their assistance, but some of the tension leaves Vinnie, so she clearly feels reassured by their presence.

“Just came to pay my respects to your new bride.” His sleazy grin tells me showing respect is the last thing on his mind. “Pretty little thing, isn’t she? Shame she doesn’t know how to honor an agreement.”

“If I make an agreement, I honor it,” Vinnie spits. “And I certainly didn’t agree to marry that decrepit old wanker you call Uncle.”

“Pity,” Gallo snarls. “He might have taught you some manners. Hasn’t your husband told you not to interrupt when the men are talking?”

“I have no interest in preventing my wife from speaking up for herself,” I say with a pleasant smile, “especially when dealing with a man who’s not fit to lick her shoes.”

Gallo snorts derisively. “So that’s how it is?”

I shrug. “She’s a Volante now. We take care of our own. You might want to remember that.”

His jaw clenches, but he moves out of the way as I tighten my grip on Vinnie’s hand and lead her out through the exit. John is parked across the street, waiting to drive us home. Nico jumps into the passenger seat next to him and Vinnie and I get in the back.

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