Page 20 of Unthinkable

“Yes way.” She grins, loving every minute of her brother’s rebelliousness.

“If Fen knocks her up, your father is going to be beyond pissed, Fern.” I hold her focus to emphasize the enormity of Fen’s relationship.

“Fen says he has it all under control and I’m not to worry.” She licks her top lip. “She’s my only friend in school, and she’s really genuine, Immie.” Her eyes implore mine. “My father is going to hate her. Really hate her.” She shakes her head. “I just hope he doesn’t scare her away.”

I place my hand over hers. “Well, as long as she and Fen are happy.” I shrug, but even as I say the words, I know how futile they are. These Mafia men are a different breed, and once they become transfixed on something, they refuse to back down.

What I really need is my daddy to become transfixed on me.

CHAPTER TWELVE

JENSEN

“Where’s Massio?” I ask no one in particular. The insinuation is clear. I’ve gotten nothing but flak from my brothers and Sal since returning, but that fucker gets off scot-free. He’s barely been home in years. At least I made the effort to return every now and then. Granted, it was mainly to check in on Immie, but still, I made more effort than he ever did.

“He’s taking his wife on a honeymoon,” Sal grits out, and his attention remains locked on me. “He’s in a real relationship.”

I don’t know what his problem is. I’ve always made sure I keep in contact with my family, but it’s obvious Sal feels different. He knows why I married Amanda; he helped orchestrate it, so I’m unsure why it’s become a problem.

“I want you at dinner every other Sunday,” he adds, and Miko rolls his eyes.

“Fine.” There’s no point in arguing. At least if I come to dinner once a fortnight it might stop him from bitching that I’ve been gone for years and he didn’t know if he’d see me again. The man is acting like a bitch.

God help him if he ever has any kids.

“And I don’t want to lose you again to god knows who.” This time, it’s me who rolls my eyes. “You’re home now. We’ve plenty of work here you can take on. You’ll always be busy.”

I like being back. It’s just a shame I have Amanda to deal with.

He casts his eyes around the room. “Where’s Fen these days? He’s been far too absent recently for my liking.” Jesus, since when did Sal become such a needy control freak.

“He’s at his girlfriend’s house,” Miko answers for Zane, and I smirk when I imagine the number of trackers the poor bastard must have on his phone to keep tabs on all of us.

“Ugh. Don’t even get me started on her. I don’t like the thoughts of him having a girlfriend. I swear he’s doing it to punish me for bringing up an arranged marriage.” Zane drops into his chair. “Me and his mother had one.” He shrugs.

“Look how that worked out,” Miko deadpans. “She put a bullet in her head, she was so happy.”

I smirk at Miko’s blunt sarcasm.

“Talking of wives, how’s yours?” Miko asks, turning his attention toward me, and his lip twitches.

“She’s been hanging around in Rush with friends.” Zane fixes his gaze on me, and I can read between the lines. By friends, he means men. She’s probably taken them to The Basement, the sex club beneath the nightclub. Somewhere I’ve never ventured with her.

After working with the Carreras and witnessing every sex act and sordid degradation known to mankind, I had no interest in participating at The Basement.

“I told you before, let her. She’s just adding fuel to the fire about to burn her.” My family knows there’s no love lost between Amanda and me. Though neither one of them has ever said it out loud, they don’t like the thoughts of a woman cheating on me.

“She’s making a fool out of you. Out of this family,” Sal states. It’s full of menace, but who can blame him? He’s right. I shouldn’t stand for it, but the truth is, I don’t care. I needed Amanda to be a mother figure to Immie while I was gone, nothing more, and she was happy to oblige in return for a black card. We don’t owe each other anything. All I asked was for her to keep her indiscretions on the down low, not play them out for all to see. It shows a weakness among us, and I can appreciate my family’s fury.

The more I think about Sal’s remarks, the more anger ignites inside of me, feeding the rage harboring there. She’s making a mockery out of us when she knows loyalty is key to our agreement.

“I’ll deal with it,” I state.

“Put a fucking bullet in her head.” Sal stabs the pool table with his finger. “That’s how you deal with disrespect.”

Miko exhales loudly and rolls his head toward Sal. “Is this why you never gave us a mother figure?”

Sal blinks, as if stunned, then turns to face him. “I refuse to marry for anything less than perfect.” He shrugs.