“Isn’t that forbidden?” Elvio asks.
“It’s my club and my rules. My papà and my wife’s papà started our club. We sat down one day and decided that we needed to change our club. That the old ways of doing things weren’t going to work anymore. So my wife is our historian, my Isabella is our secretary, my Luciana is our treasurer.” Giacomo says as he smiles at his family.
“That’s something I’ve never heard of. And I’ve also never considered talking about things in front of our women.” Ramón says.
“There are quite a few things we do that’s not like the old days. But it works for us and it’s saved us before.”
“Ivan threatened that he could take over my territory. My men are all on high alert right now. And that the only way to keep that from happening was to merge our families. As I said before, he wanted my Gabby to marry Yakov?—”
Apollo snorts. His papà, Zeus gives him a stern look. He puts his hands up.
“I’m sorry. His name just makes me laugh. I’m truly not trying to be rude.”
“Such a pain in the ass.” Ares says under his breath. “But you’re not wrong.”
“Right?”
“You both realize you’re not really whispering, right? I apologize for my sons.” Zeus sighs.
Ramón finally cracks a smile.
“They’re a welcome break in a too serious situation.”
“I told you all I’m funny.” Apollo says as he takes a bow.
Zeus sighs.
“So what was your plan with Ivan?” Zio Antonio asks as he’s chuckling at Apollo and Ares.
“My plan was to either take the Bratva out or try to offer him a smaller portion of my territory.”
“Did you really think that would work?” My papà asks.
“I think there was a part of me that hoped we could make a deal. But then he said that he was sending someone to take Gabriela. That’s why I sent her here. I worried that he would take her. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“We’ve been actively dealing with the Koslov Bratva for the last five years. Even longer within our extended families. Whenwe took out Fyodor, we thought it was over. But then Ivan came after another one of our family members.” Enea explains.
“We also know that Fyodor killed my previous consigliere. While he was having dinner with his wife and children.” Elio adds.
“I have to apologize to all of you. I should’ve talked to you instead of assuming that I knew what was right. I’m sorry. And I would really appreciate all the help you can give us.”
“First of all, what does Ivan think you’re doing right now?”
“He thinks we left Valencia to pick up Gabriela. I’m sure he knows where we are, I noticed that he made a comment about having Gabriela meet Yakov in Chicago. I pretended I didn’t hear him.”
I hold Gabriela tighter to me when he says that last part. I will kill him myself if he touches my Gabriela. I don’t care what the consequences are. He already hurt my son’s mama. He won’t hurt another woman I care about.
“How long are you staying here for?”
“We planned to only be here a few days and head back home with Gabby.” He says as he looks at me.
Oh fuck no. She’s not leaving Lake Renegade.
“There is one way you can keep Gabriela out of Ivan’s hands. But I don’t know if you’ll like it.” My papà says.
“I’m listening.”
“You can let Gianluca and Gabriela get married. She would carry the Mancini name and she would be more protected.”
