She punched my shoulder. “You got a kiss, not more. Toni’s working tonight, so I get to see her too. I haven’t since the wedding because she had to help her dad in the Arena, thanks to Fabiano beating him up.”
“Next time, he’ll know better than to accidentally give us a smaller percentage than agreed,” I said coldly.
Gemma scanned my face. “Sometimes I forget that you’re a Falcone because you’re so easy going, but you can be really scary.”
I tried to keep my scary side from her. It had its time and place but usually not around my family.
“The Camorra is my life, Gem. My brothers and I won’t allow anyone to mess with it. Roger’s lucky he only got beaten up. I don’t believe it was a fucking accident that he messed up the bookkeeping. He wanted a bigger part of the pie for himself. That’s betrayal and would mean death under normal circumstances.”
“Then why is he alive?” she asked.
“Because Diego has a soft spot for Toni and because I have a soft spot for you, and you’re best friends with Toni. But I won’t turn a blind eye again, so Roger better get his act together.”
Fabiano wasn’t stupid. He knew the truth and so did Remo and Nino, but Roger wouldn’t survive another bookkeeping mistake.
Gemma licked her lips. “It would break Toni’s heart if something happened to her dad.”
“Then she should make sure her dad stays in line, Gem. That’s all I can say. Remember your loyalties.”
She stepped back. “I’m loyal to you and to Toni. I’ve known her all my life. She’s my best friend.”
“And I’m your husband.”
She swallowed. “Toni’s more responsible than her dad. She’ll make sure things go smoothly.”
I kissed her temple.
Around eight in the evening, I waited for Gemma in my living room. The moment she came down the stairs, my heart sped up. She was wearing a tight red skirt and a red crop top. Holy hell.
Slowly I pushed to my feet, not sure if I wanted to take her into public like that.
Gemma tried to act casual but this wasn’t her usual style. Until recently, she’d still worn those horrendous dresses. “I have a feeling I’m going to kill someone tonight.”
“You threw someone through a window for talking to me, don’t you think that was bad enough?”
“He survived, didn’t he?”
She huffed.
The moment we entered the Arena, every fucker with eyes in his head checked her out. Only a death glare from me stopped them. The Camorrista spending their evening here gave me polite nods. Like usual, they made up only about a quarter of the customers, the others were the people that really brought us money: gambling addicts.
Toni waved at us from behind the bar. We headed that way and she and Gemma hugged each other over the counter. The bar was crowded and apart from Toni, I could see only one other waitress.
The girls whispered among each other briefly, probably about our still non-existent sex life. Like all girls, Gemma had definitely kept her best friend updated on the progress of our bed activities.
I kept my hand on Gemma’s waist to dissuade a guy from looking at her. We took seats at the bar, not my usual spot, but I could tell that Gemma wanted to be close to her friend. Diego joined us shortly after, grimacing when he saw where we were sitting.
He and Toni were in the off part of their on-and-off affair once more. Gemma hugged her brother briefly. Toni gave him a look that suggested she hoped his balls would fall off.
“What’s with them?” she whispered.
“After the quickie at our wedding, things cooled off again,” I said.
Gemma sighed, giving Toni a worried look. I clapped Diego’s shoulder. The first fight was over within two minutes, a fucking bore, but the one after reached a level of bloodshed that would have made Remo proud.
I chanced glances at Gemma who looked shocked but unable to look away. I loved that I could take her to fights with me without having to worry that she’d pass out. Fuck, I could even discuss moves with her afterward.
She gave me a distracted smile when she noticed my gaze before she returned her focus to the cage, completely mesmerized. “Can I have a quick word with you?” Diego asked after the second fight.
I nodded and followed him into the back. “What’s the matter?”
“I’d like to deal with the Arena instead of Fabiano in the future.”
I shook my head. “Diego, that’s a fucking bad idea and you know it. Toni’s going to take over from her dad at some point. She already handles part of the business.”
“I can handle it. We’re only fuck buddies. Let me deal with it.”
“Remo’s not going to like it, neither do I. Do you really want to bring yourself into a position where you risk sitting between chairs?”
“I can handle it,” he said again.
“Not if you keep fucking her. That’s not going to work.”
When we returned to the bar, Gemma was serving drinks because Toni had to deal with a customer at a table. The looks the guys at the bar gave her made my blood boil.
I strode over to the bar and sat down, causing them to back off. Gemma gave me a hesitant smile. “Toni asked me to take over for just a moment.”
I nodded. The moment Toni returned, and Gemma came back to my side, I pulled her between my legs and kissed her hard. She squirmed. “Savio, everyone’s watching.”
That was exactly why I was kissing her like that. I ran my tongue along her mouth then sucked her lower lip gently. “That fucking mouth is mine.” I nibbled at the sensitive skin. “And I want every fucker in the room to know it.”
She leaned back, raising her hand with the engagement ring. “I think this thing is getting the message across.”
“Maybe, but better safe than sorry,” I said. “Don’t tell me you don’t like my ring? It’s
