Page 125 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

FIFTEEN

“I think we could have done this on any other day,” Antony said as the Marcello men headed toward his office. “The no business on Sunday rule barely exists anymore, son.”

“This isn’t business, this is—”

“Family,” Antony interrupted. “Except it falls in both categories, and you know how I feel about that, Dante.”

“All right, Papa.” Dante spun around on his heels in front of the two oak doors that led into the office. He pointed at his father, and then at Lucian, and Andino, too. “All three of you can stay outside for this. Gio can join me, but only because I think he’s neutral.”

John had no idea what his uncle meant, but Dante was the boss. He made the calls, not any of them. It was his choice to make.

“Dante,” Lucian started to say.

“No, I don’t want to hear it, brother.”

“At least allow Andino in for Johnathan, then.”

“No,” Dante said simply. “He’s another one that needs to learn a thing or two.”

Andino’s hard gaze settled on the wall, and his posture was stiff enough to be fucking ice. John saw all of those things, sure, but he didn’t take them in properly for what they actually meant. At the moment, he was too pissed off to think about anything other than his own anger.

“It’s my office,” Antony said, his old voice sharpening with a warning.

Dante nodded. “And if this is going to be a problem, then I will move this discussion elsewhere. Speak now, or don’t.”

Antony said nothing.

Dante waved a single hand at John and Giovanni to follow him. John caught sight of his father shaking his head, and scowling just before the doors closed behind them—a sure sign of Lucian’s disapproval.

Likely with John, all things considered.

Hadn’t his statements at the table been enough to tell John that?

Inside the office, Dante headed for the desk. He stood behind it, but didn’t take a seat in the large chair. “Choose some place to sit or stand, but do it fast.”

Gio took a seat next to the window. John stayed standing in the middle of the room.

“I’m good,” he said when the boss shot him a look.

“For now,” Dante replied.

“What do you want, boss?”

Dante smirked, and looked up at the ceiling like he was sending out a silent prayer. “Where is this rudeness coming from, John?”

“I think after the little show downstairs, no one should expect me to be pleasant.”

“And how about your show, huh?”

John straightened on the spot. “What show?”

“Bringing that woman to our church. Having her here for dinner with our family.” Dante pointed a single finger at him, and then shook it with a laugh. “You didn’t even consider for one second to call me and ask if that would be okay. No, you just did it. You know what kind of statement that is to bring a woman with you to church. We do not do that for just anyone, and—”

“She isn’t just anyone to me,” John replied.

In his chair, Gio cleared his throat. “That’s a heavy statement to make, John. You’ve been seeing her for how long, now?”

“On and off after I was released—steady for a couple of months.”