Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
I Don’t Like You
Uri
A year later …
I’ve just come out of a meeting with Sam Mairettie and Wyatt Black. Now that things have settled and the threat is gone, we’ll be moving forward with the plans for the Alliance. There are only a few more pieces that need to fall into alignment.
I believe Michael will be happy to hear the news I have for him. Shutting Leonardo down will be within our grasp shortly. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m concerned with my brother’s choices and the dark mood he’s always in.
Things have been busy since I got married. For the first time I’ve gone an entire year without going to visit Symphony. Knowing deep down she is the cause of Michael’s brooding; I have felt guilty for not giving her more attention.
The reports I get always say she is thriving. She’s been traveling with her dance company or playing in concert halls. Since no one here in America has any clue who she is, I haven’t worried about her safety as much.
Not that it would be wise to target her. I grin as I think of how lethal my sister-in-law is. I only got to train her briefly, but she’s a quick study. I can only imagine the chaos she’s capable of now.
Not to mention the fact that we keep her guarded like a precious gem. Adriano takes caring for her seriously. When offered to be reassigned, he refused.
“Did everything go okay?” Michael asks as I walk into the sitting room our family is gathered in.
“We will talk later. You have decisions to make. You and the don should talk.”
He frowns and nods, understanding this isn’t the time or the place. Everyone has broken off into families to begin to make plans to leave the Briggs’ compound. I, for one, am ready to return to my home.
Tina needs to see a doctor about our little one she’s carrying, and I would like to have my privacy back. I’m sure the Briggs feel the same.
I walk over to my scowling wife and lift her chin to place a kiss on her lips. As I take in everyone in the room, I groan. This isn’t going to make my mood any better.
“Does she have to stay with us?” Val asks, referring to this Julissa woman, completely ignoring that she is standing in the room with us.
Valentina has made it no secret that she doesn’t like Julissa, or should I say Vanessa. Many of the women aren’t a fan of hers now that they know the history she has around here. I can’t say I’m fond of the idea of her staying in our home either.
However, since Roberto is dead and everyone has begun to return to their homes, this woman needs to go somewhere. Michael has offered for her to come along with us. I don’t think that’s a good idea, but at thirty-five, I can’t tell him what to do with his life.
Michael has lived for another for so long I feel it’s wrong to tell him he shouldn’t do as he pleases. I can only hope he’s wise enough not to do anything to hurt Symphony and make me kick his arse.
“She will be my guest, Valentina. I will find her other accommodations as soon as I can. For now, staying here under the Briggs’ roof isn’t going to cut it,” Michael says.
I cut my eyes to him as I don’t care for his tone. He takes a calming breath and turns to begin pacing. Michael has a heart for those who are in need of help.
I understand why he wants to help this broken woman, but she might be more of a challenge than his wife. Julissa is fragile. She is not made for a man as complicated as Michael.
“I would like to say something,” Julissa speaks up.
“Please don’t,” Val and Annabella say in unison.
Annabella is another who’s not in favor of the relationship Michael seems to be developing with this woman. This is going to need an alternative solution. I will not have this tension in my home.
“I only wanted to say that it’s okay. I am safe from my past. I can handle myself from here. I will get a room at a hotel while I figure things out,” Julissa says.
“That sounds about right to me,” Valentina sings.
“Love, come on now?—”
“Uri, don’t even bother.” She cuts me off and rolls her eyes.
“I will move somewhere else, and you can stay there with me,” Michael says.
“Ugh,” Val grumbles.
“Oh, great. Will you be going to Boston and taking her there with you?” Annabella taunts.
Michael’s expression turns to a murderous one. I quickly move to his side and place a hand on his shoulder. This is not the time for this, although I agree with Annabella.
“Michael, it’s okay. I’ll be fine,” Julissa says.
As I stand beside Michael, Tina stands from her seat and walks over to where Julissa is sitting. She leans down into her face. I clench my jaw and tighten my hold on Michael’s shoulder.
“I don’t like you. I don’t know what kind of spell you put on my brother-in-law, but I’m going to find a way to break it and get your ass away from my family and friends.
“After all you have done, I’ll be damned if I sit around and allow you to smile up in their faces like you belong here. We have no more use for you. You should be gone. You’re lucky you’re still breathing,” Val snarls.
With that, she straightens and walks out of the room with Annabella close on her heels. I close my eyes and thank Christ Val didn’t pull a gun to shoot her. I’m sure it crossed her mind.
“That could have been worse,” I breathe.
“We shouldn’t be judged by the sins of our past. Name one of us who would be free of judgment,” Michael snarls and tugs away from me.
He storms from the room without a glance back. Looking after him, I narrow my eyes. This isn’t about Julissa.
She is only a symptom of the turmoil he’s going through regarding something else. She is something to focus on so he doesn’t have to deal with his reality. I don’t think she will be around for long.
This too shall pass.
“Uri, I?—”
I hold up a hand to cut her off as I move to leave the room. I am not a fool. I will not be placed in a situation that could cost me everything.
“If you want to keep your life, never talk to me while my wife isn’t in the room. Never find yourself in any room I am in alone. If you want these women to respect you, you have to start with giving them respect first. Build their trust back or disappear now,” I say as I leave the room.
Michael
I know I shouldn’t be angry with Valentina or anyone else here who doesn’t like the idea of Julissa’s presence. She has done some foul things. However, I don’t know that side of her.
Since we met, I’ve known a timid, gentle woman. I have been around her enough to know she’s uncomfortable here and only wants to belong. I’ve done my best to be kind. However, I believe I’ve been kind for selfish reasons.
“Will I have to write a check for that punching bag before we leave?”
I close my eyes and hold the heavy bag still. I came to the gym to blow off some steam. Val has a right to say when she doesn’t want someone in her home.
“Are you ready to talk to me about what’s going on? This has nothing to do with Julissa, does it?”
“I don’t feel like talking,” I bite out.
“Fine, then we fight until you are ready to talk.”
I turn to find Uri taking off his shirt and folding it neatly. I sigh. He might be forty, but Uri still kicks my ass when we spar. However, today, I’m in the mood for this. I take my shirt off and toss it aside. Uri lifts his fists, and I move to join him.
“At least your fighting has improved even if your decision-making hasn’t,” Uri taunts after we trade a few combos.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You are angrier than usual. Nothing that you are doing is about Julissa. You can talk about it with me, or you can continue to sulk like a bratty child.”
“What have I done any of this for? You have married and now we are exposed. It is all falling apart.”
“You have done this for Don Trovati and Symphony. You have done this to be the don,” Uri says back.
“I don’t care about being don. It was never about that,” I bite out.
“You still aren’t making sense. I’ve been married for almost two years. Why are you so angry now? Why are you taking up with a woman you know isn’t for you?”
“Because I need this pain to stop. I feel as if I hurt the one person I love and I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know what I did wrong,” I yell.
“Now we are getting somewhere. This is about Sim. You think you have hurt her, but know your actions are sure to hurt her. Do you hear how that sounds?”
“I do, Uri. Fanculo , I do, but how do I make this right?”
“Don’t drag that woman into things. You are playing with her life.”
“When I’m with her, it’s the only time I feel sane other than when I’m hunting and hitting for the families. What do you want me to do? I’m losing myself,” I bark back.
“You continue to work. I have a series of hits you can handle for me. I will handle the rest. You wanted us to have a seat at the Alliance table. Now we make it work for us.”