Juno released a mock gasp and put a hand over his heart, then turned to Scar. “Did he just slut shame me?”
“If the shoe fits,” Scar said with a deadpan look.
Juno blew out a raspberry. “Ya’ll are some shitty friends.”
Bones and Emery were halfway out the door when Emery popped her head back through the door as said, “You love us anyway,” with a huge grin on her face.
Juno shook his head, a smile on his lips.
Yeah, he really did.
Rome
Rome fought the urge to tap his foot. It was an old habit that only tended to show up when he was in tense situations and this was certainly one. He watched his boss for a second before turning his gaze on the men sitting across from him. Marco Serrano wasn’t a man you wanted to piss off and right then, he was pissed all right.
His father had been a made man and Rome had followed in his footsteps at a young age. He’d been working for Marco’s father since he was sixteen and then for Marco when he took over eight years ago. Marco was a tough son of a bitch, but usually, he was also fair. Not that that made him a good man. None of them were.
“You expect me to believe you didn’t know?” Marco asked the two men in front of them.
Either way they answered, they were fucked, and, from their pale faces, they seemed to know that.
“I-I but we—”
Marco cut him off. “So you’re saying you’re either so god damned incompetent you didn’t realize what was happening right under your noses or you were in on it.”
“No,” Cosimo said, shaking his head. “We’re not behind it and how could we know?”
“How…” Marco breathed in deeply and let the air out slowly. “How could you have known?”
Yeah, they were so fucked.
“So. Incompetence is what you’re going for?” Marco asked and sighed. “You know, if you’d been honest about trying to screw me over, I would’ve at least respected that. I would still kill you, but at least you wouldn’t be a fucking disgrace.”
Before either of the men could react, Marco had his gun out and pulled the trigger. He fired three times at Cosimo, his body jerking with each hit. The other man was quick to crawl under the table. Whatever made him think he would get away like that, Rome didn’t know. Marco flipped the table over and kicked the man in the head, sending him sprawling across the floor. Rome watched Marco’s face as he shot the man. All he saw was rage, but he knew underneath it was the pain from the betrayal.
“Clean this shit up,” Marco growled before turning on his heels and taking off toward the door.
Rome nodded at Gianni and followed Marco. With Marco’s temper this high, there was no way he was leaving his side. Marco wasn’t stupid but sometimes his temper just got the best of him.
He caught up with Marco at the car and opened the door to the backseat for him. Once Marco was inside, Rome slid in next to him.
“Rico, take us home,” Rome said before Marco could even open his mouth.
He ignored the deadly glare Marco gave him and leaned back in his seat. Marco didn’t say anything and just seemed to be stewing in his rage. Rome pulled out his phone to check his schedule. He noticed he had an appointment with his tattoo artist the next day. The piece on his chest needed a bit more work, but he hadn’t had time the past month. He’d had to move his appointment three times already. He threw a quick glance at Marco. Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to cancel again, but there was no way of knowing with Marco.
When Rico pulled up in front of the house, Marco was first out of the car. Rome squeezed his eyes closed and said a little prayer before following. He headed up the front steps and held back a curse at the open door. He stopped just inside when he found Marco kneeling on the floor, his nephew’s arms around his neck. If anyone could pull Marco out of this, it was Dante. Marco’s love for the kid was as heartwarming as it was terrifying. That love could easily be used against him. It didn’t happen that often. Most people weren’t stupid enough to go after the Cosa Nostra. But some were just desperate enough.
“You should be in bed already, Gigio,” Marco said.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Dante mumbled and glanced down.
Marco sighed and said, “Well, let’s get you tucked in, then.”
Marco stood and picked up Dante who began to talk a mile a minute about his day. Rome watched them for a moment, a smile teasing his lips. Looked like he’d get to that appointment after all.
Juno
He walked into the clubhouse and headed for a couch. There was some music playing and people were drinking but nothing crazy yet. He found Gabe, Auggie, and Russell on the couches. Auggie had a band-aid across his forehead and was sulking.
“I see the band-aids are making a comeback,” Juno said as he sat down across from Auggie and Russell. “What happened?”
Auggie thrust his bottom lip out in a pout.
“He forgot he had his pants around his ankles and tried to walk,” Russell answered for Auggie.
“It’s your fault,” Auggie grumbled and gave Russell a dirty look.
Juno felt a smirk spread on his face. “What led to you having your pants around your ankles?”
Auggie flipped him off, saying, “You’re such a perv.”
Juno threw his head back and laughed. There was a lot of truth in that and he’d never deny it.
Juno turned to Gabe and asked, “How’s your sister?”
Gabe snorted and said, “Stewing.”
Juno
