37. Constantine
CHAPTER 37
Constantine
“ T he perimeter is secure. All of our snipers are in location. They’re ready to fire at your command,” Rico informs me monotonously. I spare him a glance as I fix my cufflinks. The right with the engraving of our wedding date, the left with the engraving of our names.
I nod my head as I then adjust my tie to where it doesn’t feel suffocating. If I am to choke it better be by the hands of my soon to be wife. Preferably with me balls deep inside her snug cunt.
“I still can’t believe we are doing this,” Tao mutters in disbelief. “Is nothing sacred?”
My lips twitch. I’ve long lost the faith in the Catholic religion. And I know my men have, too. It’s almost ironic how the leader of the triads is more concerned about our morality than we are.
Drug dealing and arms trafficking along with bribery and murder is acceptable, but opening fire in a church is where the cutthroat leader of The Triads draws the line.
Pietro snickers. “Says the man who held a meeting at the abandoned warehouse down in Hell’s Kitchen.“
Tao’s eyes narrow on his. “How do you know about that?”
“You’re in our territory. There isn’t anything we don’t know that happens here.”
“It needed to be handled,” Tao responds coolly.
“Right,” Pietro drawls with amusement. “The Russian soldier just had to die. Not by anyone’s hands but by yours.”
He says tightly, “He was sniffing around my business. I did what had to be done.”
“Your business or your supposedly dead sister?”
Tao’s eyes are cutting and his voice hardened like a steel blade. “How the fuck do you know what we were talking about?”
Pietro smiles conspiringly. “Eyes and ears are everywhere, Tao. Best to remember that.” He adds with a wink. Cheeky bastard. I smother a smirk.
Tao, on the other hand, fumes silently. Rage fills his eyes and the man who has built himself to have composure becomes unraveled.
Everyone has a weakness. And unfortunately for Tao his sister will always be his Achilles heel. Killing a Russian soldier was a rash decision based on fear. He’ll never admit it of course. But knowing the Russian was close enough to sniffing his sister out had led him to killing without thinking of the consequences. Now Kirill has a piece of the bone he was salivating for. A death of his own from The Triads means his suspicions of Zhen being alive must ring true.
Tao unknowingly and stupidly put a target on his back.
“You do realize you just gave Kirill ammunition.”
Tao responds tightly through terse lips. “I didn’t give him shit.” He turns his attention to me and accusation gleams in his eyes.
Before he can dare question me I remind him of who I am. “I’ll have your tongue if you dare question me, Tao. Your sister’s location has not been shared. Nor will it be as long as you don’t cross me.”
He nods his head stiffly but one can clearly see his cages are still rattled. As much as I admire his fierce need to protect his sister, I need him protecting someone else today, and that’s my soon to be wife.
One who is in the room down the hall surrounded by her family. She would better be left with a pack of starving wolves.
But of course Father Frank couldn’t allow the bride to see the groom before the ceremony.
Fucking Catholic priests and their damn traditions.
At least I can have some semblance of a peace of mind with Gino accompanying her as well.
He’ll slice any one of their throats before they can raise a hand at her.
A rap of knuckles at the door gains all of our attention. The door opens to none other than Father Frank.
He has seen better years yet his genes have blessed him with a handsome face. And even though his eyes may seem kind and not judgmental he has forgiven one too many sinners to be considered clean.
While I want to believe Father Frank is an honest and good man, his involvement with Savio proves me to believe otherwise.
Because a good man with a right conscience would not have allowed an innocent woman to suffer.
As far as I’m concerned he’s just as responsible for her death as they are.
Father Frank surveys the room cautiously. Because even though this is his church where he resides and feels at home, in this room, at this moment in time, he’s a man in uncharted waters.
His smile is tentative at best. “You are to be at the altar as the ceremony is about to begin.”
“Thank you, Frank.”
He clears his throat, correcting me with a trying smile. “Father Frank.”
I cock my head to the side, assessing him in a way to make him uneasy. “I’m sure I had it correct the first time.”
I hear Pietro’s signature snort before he covers the soon to be boisterous laughter with his mouth.
Father Frank’s eyes narrow, as if he’s trying to figure me out. “Do you not have the best relationship with religion?”
I smirk at that. “If you are trying to convert me I advise you to save your efforts.”
“So you don’t believe.” He doesn’t seem offended, just curious. But curiosity killed the cat. And he’s unaware that he’s on his ninth life.
“Hard to believe in an institution that’s built upon lies and corruption. And yours is no different. You, Frank, disguise yourself as an honorable man but you are just as sinister as those seeking forgiveness. How many men have come in here with their hands stained from killing a man and you forgave them? And how many of those men’s wives came in here abused begging for forgiveness for how they didn’t please their husband? You may stand behind the altar but your soul is the blackest of them all. And if there is a heaven I assure you Father Frank you won’t be seeing your precious pearly gates.”
His complexion pales as the white collar he wears proudly becomes constricting. Eyes resembling a caricature. He responds tightly, “I see,” and then swallows before clearing his throat, “well, if you could find yourself at the altar we will begin the ceremony.”
Pietro’s laughter rings out as the door closes behind “Father Frank” and I hear Tao mutter to himself of how much I truly live to my namesake.
“Gentleman,” I address them all and they give me their attention. “It has been my greatest pleasure being your Don but my greatest honor will be being Carina’s husband. With that being said you are to protect her life over mine. Capisce?”
“Capisce,” they all say in unison. Rico and Pietro bow their heads in respect with a hand placed over their heart. The sacrificing sign of loyalty in our Famiglia. Tao bows his head as well, showing his respects while staying true to himself as a leader.
It’s time to paint the church red.