Reckless & Ruined (17 page)

Evelina didn’t look very impressed. “She’s going to end up getting you killed, Adriano.”

He doubted it. But even so …

“It would be worth it,” Adriano said quietly.

“Would it?” she asked.

“Entirely. Love’s crazy like that.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Twenty-five minutes!” Riley shouted from the kitchen. “Stop messing around and hurry the hell up. I have cars and men waiting. I do not want to be late and miss the look on Joel’s face when he sees us.”

Adriano groaned. “Fuck this day.”

“He’s just on edge,” Evelina said.

The Conti family was about to thrust their way right back into the Outfit with a bang. Adriano wasn’t exactly impressed with his father’s plan to put Joel on edge by showing up at the church where the DeLuca and Trentini families attended, but he agreed to do whatever his father wanted. This was what Riley wanted.

Adriano pushed down the rising aggravation and let his sister finish dabbing on the last bit of foundation. “If the Artino asshole is there, I might kill him, Eve.”

He figured someone should be aware.

“Dean?” Evelina asked.

“Yes.”

“The guy is a pig,” she said dismissively.

He was, but he was also dangerous.

“He hurt Alessa.”

Evelina flinched. “Physically?”

“Yes. If you think my face looks bad, you should see what he did to hers using a brick wall, Eve. They might not be officially engaged or anything, but it’s basically a sure thing, so she’s intended to be his wife and he hurt her. He can’t even keep his goddamn hands to himself before he has got a ring on her finger. Imagine what it would be like for her after he strapped her down into a marriage and behind the privacy of closed doors.”

Evelina’s gaze dimmed. “Oh, Adriano.”

He hated pity.

“I might kill him if he shows up today. He won’t have his little bastards holding me back.”

“Play the good boy,” Evelina told him softly. “Give Dad what he wants to get what you want.”

Adriano needed someone to talk to about his situation with Alessa. Evelina kept his secrets. It worked.

“You make it sound like I’m selling my soul,” Adriano said.

“Maybe you are.”

“Alessa owns it anyway, Eve.”

“Is love worth that?” she asked.

Yes.

“Just remind me to keep cool, huh?”

“Will do, little brother.” Evelina grinned. “What a way to make our entrance back to church, huh?”

Yeah, bruises and all.

Adriano stood stoic and quiet at his father’s side. He was the pillar of a cool, calm composure, just as his father had asked. Evelina stood at the other side of their father. Riley, between his children as the head of their family and dressed in all black, smiled as Joel Trentini caught sight of the Conti family standing at the bottom of the church stairs.

Joel’s mouth opened to say something but quickly snapped shut.

Adriano knew what the man was seeing. Well over half of the Conti crew had gotten up early and dressed appropriately for church that morning. They stood behind the man they considered their boss and his children, waiting for him to make the first move.

Adriano forced himself not to let his restlessness show. He hadn’t been inside a church since his mother’s funeral. The grief-fueled ache hadn’t disappeared, even if he was too busy to notice it lately.

He couldn’t ignore it now.

“Let’s go,” Riley murmured.

Adriano matched his father’s pace as they began their trek up the church steps. He could hear the men behind them walking, too. Bells rang out loudly, warning the start of Mass and the gathering of the parishioners. Joel Trentini’s rage swam behind his piercing gaze as his jaw clenched and his hands shook.

Alessa stood a few feet behind her brother at her sister’s side.

It took all Adriano had inside not to look at her for long.

At the top of the stairs, Riley took his daughter’s hand and patted it. “Find us a seat inside, Eve. Somewhere close to the front.”

Joel scoffed when he heard that.

Adriano knew the Trentini family had always taken first pick of the front pews at their church. The DeLucas usually took the next few rows back.

Riley acted like nothing had happened. “Go, Eve.”

“Sure,” Evelina replied.

Once his daughter had disappeared inside the church, it didn’t take long for people to wander out after seeing her. Men from the DeLuca crew stood off to the side, watching the silent scene unfold with wariness. A few looked Adriano over, probably noting the cut on his bottom lip and wondering where the bruises were.

Evelina had done a damn good job of hiding them.

Adriano immediately found Dean Artino in the crowd of men. Like the coward he was, Dean stayed hidden behind the men with his asshole of a father like they were his first and only line of defense. Adriano had news for him—when it came to the Outfit, you were nothing if you weren’t made.

They wouldn’t protect Dean.

Adriano smirked when Dean’s eye caught his. Dean sneered but Adriano’s expression didn’t waver. Cocking his brow, Adriano reached up and touched his split lip with his thumb before dropping his hand just as fast.

Dean didn’t miss the action.

Adriano hoped the asshole knew he’d get him back for the marks and the cheap shots. He’d make damn sure Dean would pay for every bruise, scratch, and drop of blood he spilled from not only Adriano, but Alessa, too.

Fuck you.

Conti men always win.

Like the man could hear what was inside Adriano’s mind, Dean dropped his gaze.

Adriano felt the tension skyrocket as his father stepped forward.

“Good morning, Joel,” Riley greeted serenely.

Joel’s gaze narrowed. “Was your church unavailable this morning, Riley?”

“No, not at all.” Riley’s answer was simple and brazen. “How are you?”

“Well,” Joel all but forced out.

“And your beautiful sisters?” Riley asked, tipping his head in Alessa and Abriella’s direction.

“Fine.”

“Ah, that’s good to hear. I’d heard you’re considering arranging a marriage between young Alessa and the Artino family.”

Joel’s cheek ticked. “And if I am?”

“Oh, my boy,” Riley said in a way that sounded chiding. “An Artino? An unmade Artino, Joel? Terrance would have been sorely disappointed in you for that.”

Alessa gave nothing away. She found Adriano’s stare, her tongue snaking out to wet her lips. He couldn’t help but wonder if she could still feel him days after their last fucking. Did she still have the marks of his fingers on her ass and the tender ache between her thighs like she always did when he fucked her hard and fast?

Adriano needed to get away from those thoughts and fast. He shoved his hands in his pockets as Riley’s favorite man, Kolin, stepped up beside him. They intended to appear unafraid and unbothered by the presence of Joel and his allies. Riley wanted to seem higher, above the drama and nonsense.

Adriano wasn’t sure if it was working or not.

Walter Artino barked out a laugh and stepped through the throng of men. “You’ve got a lot of nerve saying anything, Riley.”

Joel held up a single hand, quieting Walter instantly. “Is that so, Riley?”

“I think so.” Riley glanced over the men standing in the church entrance. “And whether or not you’re willing to admit to it, Joel, your father never would have approved of a future match between Alessa and an Artino. Terrance would have had a fit if he were alive.”

Silence covered the crowd.

Speechless, Joel could only glare in response.

Riley smiled coldly. “Oh, had you not told them yet of your parentage?”

“A great deal already know,” Joel spat.

“You mean the Artinos,” Riley replied.

Adriano couldn’t help but be a little enraptured by his father’s show. Riley Conti wasn’t backing down and he was more than willing to play dirty. He wanted respect and he wanted to throw Joel completely off his game.

In Adriano’s opinion, Riley was succeeding.

“And this mess last night,” Riley continued quieter.

Joel’s teeth clenched so hard that his molars crunched. “I’d heard.”

“I think your men owe my son an apology, Joel.”

Walter scoffed. “Like hell.”

“Joel,” Riley said, firmer the second time. “Regardless of this feud between us, your unmade man made an attack on a made Outfit
principe
simply for dancing with a woman who isn’t even his fiancée yet. Now, I understand a no touch policy, but Alessa and my son have always been friends. Adriano kept a watch on her all through high school. Never once did your father take issue with the closeness between the two. Terrance always knew it was innocent. Just like the dancing last night was innocent. And my God, look at her poor face.”

All the eyes turned on a very uncomfortable looking Alessa. She cupped the side of her cheek with her hand, her gaze turning downward. Adriano’s rage pulsed hard and fast through his veins. Makeup did nothing to hide the bruises and scratches on her cheek.

And then, Alessa’s lashes fluttered as she lifted her gaze to meet Adriano’s. There was a smug satisfaction swimming in her irises. Like she was taking some enjoyment out of Dean’s actions being shamed.

“I wasn’t aware Alessa’s injuries were caused by Artino,” Joel said slowly.

The lie was boldfaced and terrible. Anyone with two brain cells could see it.

“Then you are an idiot, and I feel for the poor treatment your sister is sure to receive at her future husband’s hand because you look the other way,” Riley murmured. “Look at her face. She has the bruise marks of his fingers on her cheek. Refusing an apology to my son I could understand … maybe. But your own sister, Joel?”

Joel looked absolutely enraged. “I appreciate the information.”

Riley shrugged. “Do with it what you wish, my boy.”

Despite not being totally in agreement with his father on a lot of things, Adriano had to admit his father was putting on a good show. Riley had effectively put Joel into a position where he had no other choice but publically shame Dean for his actions or privately discipline him for them. Either way, abuse towards women in the Outfit had never been acceptable. Not when people were made aware.

It didn’t make a difference with the war between the families dividing them all, women and children should always be held above reproach. They were the untouchables. The men of
la famiglia
would surely demand some sort of justice for Alessa’s marks.

Dean would pay.

Adriano prayed to God he would be the one to deliver it.

“As for my son’s apology,” Riley drawled, taking a step toward Joel.

“What of it?” Joel asked.

“He will accept one from you, of course. Won’t you, son?”

Adriano nodded once, giving Joel a passing glance. “Of course. Seeing as how Dean is your man but still unmade in the family, an apology from you for his actions would be fine. I will offer forgiveness if the apology is appropriate.”

Riley smirked over his shoulder at Adriano like he approved. “Well said.”

Joel’s shoulders straightened. “You’re asking for a lot.”

“I’m asking for the very same thing the rest of the men in this family would demand, Joel,” Riley replied frankly. “And do not for one second believe that any of these men would allow Dean’s actions on one of their highly regarded and respected sons in the Outfit to go unanswered.”

Quietly, confirmative murmurs started to pass through the crowd.

Adriano could practically feel the pleasure his father took in that.

“Dean will be handled,” Joel said.

“And my apology?” Adriano asked, smirking.

Joel’s fists clenched a little tighter. “Perhaps we could discuss that on another day.”

Adriano held back a scoff. “Today is just as good as any other, Joel.”

“You’re treading thin ice, Conti.”

“Oh, I’m sure we can sit down at another time and work this all out,” Riley said, stepping in front of Joel as if to block Adriano from the man’s sights. He was close enough to hold a hand out to Joel, waiting for the man to shake. Joel looked down at Riley’s offering with obvious distain. “Friends always have a way of working these things out, don’t they?”

Joel’s eyes flashed around the crowd of people. It was clear he was trying, and failing, to figure out a way to save his face and position.

“Maybe we could sit down at some point,” Joel said, still refusing to take Riley’s hand.

“How about this coming Friday?” Riley asked, smiling widely. “And of course, we’ll be there to pay our respects to Terrance tomorrow.”

“You’ll be there—” Joel’s words cut off as his face turned beet red. “You’re crossing a line, Riley.”

“Am I? Terrance was one of my oldest friends. Despite everything that happened over the last couple of months, I would like to say goodbye to him, Joel. Are you refusing me that?”

“Like you refused us at your wife’s funeral?” Joel asked bitingly.

“Any man in this church who was there to witness my first few days after my wife’s death would be stupid to say I was in my right mind. I was grieving and it showed.”