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The front door opens, and I see Jade’s husband, Rocco, and his brother, Elio, walk in.
“You ready?” Elio questions, his tone filled with impatience.
I roll my eyes. He’s so abrasive. I don’t think he can help it.
“I’m ready,” I tell him with a big grin.
He releases a grunt as I get to my feet. “Is he always this welcoming?” I ask deadpan.
Rocco’s eyes flash with anger. “I apologize for my brother. He’s under a lot of stress.”
I wave him away. “I’m joking, Rocco. His abrasiveness doesn’t bother me. Have you met my brothers and cousins?”
My brothers Malcolm and Danny aren’t very welcoming at the best of times, but it’s Hayden who is the scariest of them all. Given the chance, Hayden would hide Adelina and their baby away from the world. No doubt having everyone visit them has him ready to blow. He’s not very tactile at the best of times.
“I’m surprised your da’s letting you go to Indianapolis by yourself,” Jade says as we walk toward the door.
My da is known for being extremely protective of his kids, and she’s right, he wouldn’t usually let me go alone, but he’s loosening the reins and letting me grow.
I laugh. “Ma would kill him.” I grin. We all know my Ma has my da wrapped around her fingers. He’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy, but he’ll also do whatever he can to make his kids happy. He’s giving me independence even though he hates the idea of me being without any back up.
“Besides, having Elio take me was the compromise we made.”
Jade laughs. “Not sure whose idea that was, but Elio is not exactly the most entertaining brother. He should have chosen Dario. At least you’d have been more at ease.”
“Convict,” Elio grunts. He’s been calling Jade a convict ever since he found out she served five years in prison. “Denis isn’t stupid. He wants his daughter’s innocence intact, so of course he’s not sending Dario with her.”
Rocco nods in agreement. “I’m not going to war with your family because my brother can’t keep his dick in his pants.”
I shake my head as Jade sighs. “Yet again, we are not held to your traditions, Roc.”
The Italian mafia demands that their sons’ brides be pure. It’s a hypocritical tradition. The man can sleep with as many women as he wants, but the woman they’re marrying has to be a virgin. There would be war if they weren’t. Thankfully, my da and granda are in the twenty-first century and know that women have rights and are able to be their own person. Only Makenna and Holly were subject to the rules as they were marrying into the Italian mafia. Jade would have been, but thankfully, the Gallo famiglia aren’t as traditionalist as others.
“Jesus, don’t fucking say that around Dario,” Elio says while shaking his head. “The fucker wants Chloe, and if he knows she’s allowed to have sex, he’ll be all over her like a dog in heat.”
I raise a brow. “Who said I want him?” I like Dario. He’s intense as hell and smooth with his pick-up lines, but he’s not for me. He’s a little too clean shaven. Only one man has ever piqued my interest and that’s James.
For the first time since I’ve been in Chicago, I finally see a smile on Elio’s face. “You and I may just get along after all.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure,” I tell him as I walk into Jade’s outstretched arms and give her a hug. “I’ll see you soon,” I say. She’ll be in Indianapolis in a few days to see her brother, Hayden, and her niece.
“Yep. Don’t let the men bully you. I know what they’re like. They’ll try to keep you locked up. Ignore them. Go out and have fun.”
That’s one of the downsides to having a big family. All the men are overprotective, and the mention of me going out or having fun is shot down. They want to keep me wrapped up in bubble wrap and protect me from the world. Thank God I’m able to have fun when I’m at home. I’d suffocate being around all these men constantly. I have no idea how Jade does it.
Once we’re in the car, Elio puts on music, and I smile. The drive from Chicago to Indianapolis is almost three hours. Thankfully, Elio isn’t much of a talker, so I’m able to get some sleep.
* * *
The soundof motorcycle engines pulls me from my sleep. Opening my eyes, I glance at Elio. My body tightens when I see his face. His eyes are narrowed as he focuses on the road ahead of him, his gaze moving to the rearview mirror every so often, but it’s the white-knuckled grip he has on the steering wheel that has me sitting up straighter.
I glance behind me and see there’s at least twenty motorcycles behind us. The air in the car is thick, and I’m getting worried.
“Do you know them?” I ask softly.
His nod is terse. He doesn’t say a word, just continues to drive.
I have a feeling the motorcycle club isn't out on a normal ride.
