Seventeen
My sperm donor opened up the floodgates. Let's be clear–not the gates to my tears. Oh no, he opened the gates to my wrath.
Look over at his kids, my family, my brother’s, and her. I gear up to tell the story that my mother sugar-coated the shit out of when she told Blaze and me. After some prodding, because shit wasn’t adding up, she told me everything. She did not want Blaze to know what I was about to share. She knows my brother as I do and knows he can hold a mean grudge. This will put the nail all the fuck the way in the coffin. And that is not what my mother wanted.
I stare Gunner in the eye when I speak.
“Sorry, sweetheart, you weren't built for this life. You’re weak. A man like me can't have a weak woman. The MC is my life and always will be…” My eyes close before taking a breath and reopening them. I take a breath. This part is what will have Blaze losing his shit. “You can get rid of that bastard. I don’t want it or you. Sorry, the time we spent fucking meant more to you than to me. You might as well get gone and don’t come back.” My voice is void of emotion. I can’t let emotion rule me, not here, not now.
My eyes are still on his tortured ones. “You walked away, never looking back. You left my mother alone and pregnant. You do not know the hell she had to crawl out of to fix what you broke.” We stare at one another, neither of us moving. But so much is being said in our silence.
Blaze explodes. “You motherfucker, I knew it. I always felt like something was off when she talked about you. She never… Her smile never reached her eyes. You are a fucking piece of shit. To say shit like that… to her. To. Fucking. Her. Our mother is the most amazing, strongest, fiercest woman I’ve ever known. You should have felt honored to have ever been in her fucking presence. FUCK YOU. FUCK YOU FOR TREATING HER LIKE THAT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT.” Blaze bellows. I wish I could say I didn’t see it coming, but I knew. Damn it.
Blaze's threatening steps toward Gunner have all the fury in me fade. I can’t let that happen. Blaze is angry. There is no telling how far he will go. My brother, usually level-headed, is unreasonable regarding anything to do with me or our mother. Blaze overloaded is a bull in a China shop, ready to destroy everything without fear of consequence. His anger can get the best of him. His rage is unwarranted, but we have bigger fish to fry and issues to handle beyond our family drama.
We have their family drama.
I turn to face my brother, who is at my back. My hand goes to his cheek. “Brother, I get it. I do. You have every right to be angry at and hate him. But I need you to calm your shit. Our mother…” I sigh. “Lord, love her, has her reasons for… this.” I sweep my hand around the room, keeping one on his cheek. “We have a job, and we need to do it. Don't let your anger blind you to what our goal is. But we need to do this for her.”
Blaze looks down at me, and I see him fighting to calm himself. I know how hard this is for him. I'm not too fond of the situation myself, but it's all necessary.
Gunner breaks our moment. Causing Blaze to tense.
“Bellamy, I...” He stops, taking a breath. I turn to look at him. Keeping myself between him and Blaze. He’s at least smart enough to look ashamed. I raise my hand, head shaking furiously before this idiot stokes the fire more.
“Nope. Nuh, uh, Prez, this will not go how you think it will. You destroyed her. You took her innocence and fucking ripped her heart out. I'm here because of her. We’re here because of her; because my mother has some stupid fucking need to protect you. She has always been in the background protecting you, you know that.” The shock on his face makes it clear he didn’t. “She watched, protected, and suffered. She loved you. She loves you, you selfish prick, no matter what you said or did. No matter how many years have passed. She will always want to protect you.” I hiss at him like a feral damn cat. It’s the truth, and he needs to know the type of woman my mother is. The woman he so willingly gave up.
I speak to the room–specifically to Gunner. “Look, you had your reasons. I don't like them, don't respect them, and give two shits about them. What you did... What you unleashed in Svetlana Petrov. Was otherworldly.”
Gunner stares at me in shock, and his body collapses into the chair. I figured using my mother’s proper name, her real name. His intake of breath says it all as he stares at Blaze and me. My mother's legal name was enough to know he fucked up. My mother is the adopted daughter of the ruthless Bratva Pakhan of the North East. There may be many mafia families in our world, but everyone bows to my grandfather, no matter who they are. Because not only is he the leader of one of the most ruthless and feared Bratva organizations, he is also the leader of The Organization. He started The Organization specifically to help my mother, to give her purpose and right the wrongs in our world. And that has expanded to an empire that can’t be touched. Hell, we have a damn school to train the best of the best in the world to be exactly what my team and I are.
When my mother met my father, she didn’t disclose her adopted lineage. She wanted the chance to strike out on her own. She thought it best to blend in and be like everyone else. She wasn't ashamed of her name or her family. She just wanted a reprieve. She said she wanted an everyday life, and a normal life meant a different character and identity.
My mother is black, so unless you knew her story, you didn't know or wouldn't figure out she was a Petrov. My grandfather's adoption of my mother and uncles sent the family into an uproar. It was not something that had ever been done. You never brought outsiders into the Bratva. But my grandfather had his reasons. And in the end, my mother and uncles repeatedly proved they could carry Petrov's name. They deserved everything. They worked hard and more. We all deserve to bear the name Petrov.
Gunner stares at me. A flicker of emotion across his face–regret, fear, hurt, anger, frustration, and sadness. So much emotion. But I can’t…
“Yes, my mother is Svetlana Petrov. Some believe her to be the Widow Maker. And well, she is.” I shrug. “You helped to turn her into what she is today. She is the adopted daughter of Victor Petrov, the Boss of bosses in the American Bratva. When you did what you did, instead of her staying here and finishing school, she went back home. Her hurt consumed her. She believed she was unworthy, and… Grandfather knew her pain. He knew if he did nothing, she would either wither away, consumed by bitterness and anger. He saw the darkness in her eyes when the sadness went away. He saw the anger for retribution and revenge. He didn’t want that for her. Because if it went too far, he feared she couldn’t be saved. He helped her the only way he could and the only way he knew how. And thus, she became a world-renowned assassin and our boss.” Plopping down in the seat I had previously occupied, rubbing my hand over my face.
I look into his eyes and see so much sadness. I continued, “She was going to introduce you to grandfather. She was going to introduce the love of her life to her father. My grandfather was unhappy about her falling for an outsider and becoming pregnant. He is still unhappy about you and us being here. But he loves my mother dearly and would do anything to ensure her happiness. For her, he would have accepted you and have accepted us being here to help you.”
Before I can continue, I’m interrupted by none other than Taz. Usually, I am more aware of my surroundings, but with all the emotion and focus on Gunner, I didn’t feel him step to my other side until I heard the deep timber of his voice.
“Wait... wait… wait… You are a part of… the fucking granddaughter to the Petrov Pakhan. Holy shit... Holy mother fucking shit. When you step in it, you step in it, Prez.” Taz chuckles at my side, and I find his amusement in the situation amusing. Causing me to chuckle along with a few others in the room.
After a few minutes, I speak, “My mom convinced the family she would be okay to be here alone and go to school. She just wanted to feel normal for a little while. No bodyguards, no family obligation, just a normal girl living her life, and then she met you. You didn't know then that my mother knew much more than you thought. She was and is from a world just like yours. She may not have been in the family, but her brothers were, and they were working a deal in the area.” I'm so annoyed, so I sit up and continue the story.
“When my mother went to my grandfather after you broke her heart, she was a mess. According to my grandfather, she was crying hysterically and was nearly inconsolable. Once he could get her to calm down, she told him everything. He wanted to wipe out your entire MC and the Italians for what you and their mother did.” Pointing to his kids staring at us wide-eyed in various stages of shock. “…to ours. It took a little time and research to grasp what happened and why. He left things as they were, with my mother heartbroken and pregnant. Not because he wanted to but because she asked.” Gunner's shoulders deflate, and his face becomes stricken.
“I didn’t…” He rubs his hand down his face, taking a deep breath.
Clearing his throat. “I wanted her to have that picket fence and a simple life with a man who could give her everything. I thought I was saving her. I didn't know where she came from or who her family was. I didn't know she was…” Shaking his head, he pauses. “I didn’t know that her family could protect her. I wanted to protect her. From what I knew, the threat to her was imminent. I would rather she lived. I needed her to live.” He looks at Blaze and me, undeterred, determined to tell his side of the story.
“I knew someone was following Savvy, leaving warnings and threats for her. Most I caught and kept from her. Looking back now, I wish I hadn’t. If I…” He stands up, stepping away from his desk as the room remains quiet. He leans against the back wall with crossed arms and glares at the ground.
With a long sigh, he continues, “They broke into her apartment and destroyed everything. That was the only time my shit touched her. She just assumed it was random, but I knew better. They sent me photos, and it was overwhelming. I was scared. I was fucking terrified of what they would do. I was starting at the club. I couldn’t… But I had to do what they asked of me. I made a choice I regretted from the moment I made it.” Looking up at me, I see the truth. “Beverly’s family came to me. Threatened your mother and your lives. If I chose not to marry Beverly, I believed they would follow through on those threats. I did what I thought was right. Jesus... they swore they would kill her. They promised it. I couldn’t let that happen. I had to make her hate me. I had to hurt her to save her. I don’t expect anyone to understand. I don’t expect the two of you or her to forgive me. But you need to know that I loved and still love your mother with everything in me. And there will never be a time, or has there ever been a time in my life where that wasn’t true…” His voice gets choked up, and he trails off. Eyes returning to the floor.
The pain from the impossible decision is stifling. Fuckety fuck. My mother may have been right. We needed to hear his side of the story. Fuck, this shit is so damn confusing and heartbreaking. They made many mistakes. Her not telling him everything about who she is–him not telling her all the threats and why he had to make the choices he did. Sigh, shaking my head.
“The reason we are here.” I lean forward in my chair, breathe, and put my head in my hands.
“We'll get on with it then and leave.” Princess sneered.
I'm so fucking done with her and her shit. Of course, she can’t keep her mouth the fuck shut. I raise my hand to stop whatever retort or scathing comment from either Blaze or Sin. I will handle this. But the bitch isn’t done. She walks over to Gunner, still perched on the wall behind his desk. She stands between him and us, arms crossed, staring daggers at Blaze and me. The pain of the ass whipping she received is clear on her face, but she’s trying to act like she's a badass. She and I both know the truth. The look I return is bored. My brow raises, waiting for her to get on with it.
And so she does. “My father's club is the largest club on the East Coast. We have charters and support chapters all over the country. We don't need you or your family to come here to save the day. We are fucking more than capable of taking care of ourselves.” She sneers, giving me a smug smile like she’s won a damn prize.
This girl is a dumbass. She's an idiot if she thinks they can handle the mafia without us. Her outburst shows how little she knows and understands about our world. Her father's club and reach may be significant, but they cannot take on an international organization that is hell-bent on fulfilling the contract. Organized crime families operate on brute force. They have waited a long damn time for this. They will not back down, not again.
Gunner uncrosses his arms, his hands going to his daughter’s shoulders. His face is a mask. I don’t know if he’s pissed at her or us. But when he turns her to face him, it’s clear it isn’t us. Causing Princess to take a few steps away from her father with wide eyes. But before Gunner can correct her, Bull is in her face.
“That's enough, Princess. Shut. The. Fuck. Up. And. Sit. The. Fuck. Down. I'm so goddamn sick and tired of your shit. I'm sick of cleaning up your messes. We don't fucking know everything. We didn't know about our parents and their mother, nor did we know about the consequences of their actions. Consequences that are going to affect us now. So, shut the actual fuck up and, for fuck's sake, listen for once in your ungrateful ass life.” Vex sneers down at his twin.
Well, damn, big brother is not in the mood. I can tell by the shock on everyone's faces that Bull rarely raises his voice or gets on his sister about her shit attitude. Good for him. I try to hold in my snicker, but my brother, sister, and cousins don’t have that problem. Getting back on track, I speak, ignoring the stare-off between siblings,
“Dominique Rossi, I'm not sure you're familiar with him. His family is one of the five families in the Cosa Nostra. They are based out of Ravenna, Italy, obviously having controlling ties to famiglia in the U.S. The Rossi family are the ones that hold the contract to marry a Berlusconi daughter. When Beverly got pregnant with Bull,” I look over to Bull, “Dominique was angry that his intended was pregnant with someone else's child. Even if he despised Beverly as much as she did him. Don Rossi, Dominique's father, knew he could find another… better match for his son, and he did. But they were not willing to let the Berlusconi family off the hook. They negotiated a deal to transfer the contract to the next generation, the next daughter of the Berlusconi and son of the Rossi family. When Dominique had his son, Marco, your daughter became Beverly's replacement. Now the Rossi’s are calling to collect because Marco is ready for marriage, whether or not she is.” Princess sucks in a breath.
“What?”
“You need to know that Don Rossi’s son Marco is crazy… like crazy, crazy. As I told Taz, he's psychotic regarding what he perceives as his. He's had a few girlfriends end up in the hospital in various states with pretty fucked up injuries and another who disappeared without a trace. So, hear me when I tell you,” turning my attention to Princess, “you would not survive him.”
She sucks in a breath, bolts from where she was, and makes her way to Taz. Not her father, not her brothers, but Taz. My fist clenched as I watched her trying to climb him like a spider monkey. Fortunately for Taz, it’s clear it is an unwanted affection. His eyes widen, and his body stiffens as she sobs into his chest.
This girl is so damn dramatic and predictable.
I really don’t want her touching him. And by the glare in my eye, he fucking knows it as he looks at me with apology and concern for the bitch's safety in his eyes. I look back at Gunner, whose eyes are narrowed as he watches Taz and my interaction. I smirk, but say nothing about it. We need to get this over with. A bitch is tired.
“As I was saying. The contract is in effect. My mother has been watching everything play out and has had us on assignment for the last three months. Our job is to ensure she...” pointing to Princess over my shoulder, still clutching onto Taz, “don't get picked up. Mom realized Beverly would allow it from the correspondence we've acquired. She will let this happen without your knowledge or any warning to you. It’s all about self-preservation for her at this point. From our understanding, if it doesn't happen, it's the family's last straw. The Rossi family will not give a third chance. If it doesn't go through, Beverly’s new husband, Alessandro Ferrari, and the Berlusconi family will lose everything, whether through a takeover or power transfer facilitated by the five families. To Ferrari’s, she is of no consequence to them. Sacrificing one to benefit the family is worth it.” My words are calm and matter-of-fact.
Gunner takes a few breaths as he looks at each of us. I can see the fight in him, the anger for his daughter, and the betrayal of what his ex-wife is allowing to happen. “So, what's the plan with you being here? I assume it’s to prevent it from happening?” Defeat, concern-lacing voice, and understanding in his eyes.
“My brother will go over logistics, upgrades, and protections. I warn you now. He isn't like me. He can't separate his hatred and the job. Stay out of his way and give him time.” I hear a scoff from behind me, knowing it is Blaze. I’m blowing smoke up Gunner's ass because there will never be enough time for my brother to forgive him.
He nods and looks over at his kids and then back at me. “I appreciate you, your mother, and your team bringing this to us. Despite everything, I do want to get to know you…” he looks past me to Blaze. “The both of you. It may be too soon. But we are family, and I'm happy to work together to resolve all this and keep Princess… safe. Even if you all don't believe she's worth it. Even if my acting the way I have puts you off wanting to know me. I’m a part of the reason for this, so I’ll do what needs to be done, and I welcome your help.”
Blaze steps forward and growls out, “I get it. Your appreciation is noted. My sister has been through enough for one day. She needs to rest. This situation is a ticking time bomb and will be difficult for all of us. I'll get with you or whoever to discuss logistics. The Rossi’s already have people on the ground; we know she is being watched. We know they want this resolved quickly. So I suggest you lock your daughter down.” Blaze stares into Gunner's eyes, nodding at one another.
I stand. Blaze grabs me by my shoulders, turning me and leading me out the door. He stops before we exit the room. “If anyone else in this club disrespects my sister or mother again, I will slit their throat and not feel an ounce of remorse. Don’t test me… or do. Check your daughter and her mouth. Chase, you’re forgiven. I get you were being protective of your family, so I’ll let that shit slide from earlier.” Bull's eyes widened. “Yeah, brother, I’m always watching and am never far from her.” Chase and Blaze, like with Gunner earlier, stare at one another and come to some silent understanding.
And with that, we leave and return to our hotel because I have had enough of these people. I don’t even look back to see her in his arms. I hear my name being called, but I need to get the fuck out of her.
It has been one hell of a fucking day.