Chapter 81 Threat Her
Roman.
I've had a shitty day to begin with. Lauren Zanetti was furious after our conversation yesterday. Michael woke me up this morning with the news that Zanetti was pulling out of some investment we were planning on making.
I got the message loud and clear. Losing him from the family is a pretty big blow, considering he's one of our main sources of funding.
I also had to deal with the fallout from my decision, which had reached the ears of the other Capos. They weren't happy that I was breaking the marriage contract.
Part of me couldn't help but be grateful that Elena had decided to hide her pregnancy. Because their reactions now showed that if it had been a year ago, they wouldn't have hesitated to show their displeasure by deposing me.
Right now, I'm hearing whispers and murmurs, but they're all too scared to do anything about it.
Rose's party was supposed to be a distraction, but my shitty mood hadn't lifted, so I decided to leave with Elena. I thought about taking her to one of my favorite restaurants, but of course, that would ruin something else.
Before Elena can do anything reckless, like hit the daughter of a man who holds a grudge against me, I grab her hand and pull her closer.
“Calm down, little wolf,” I tell her, then turn to Bianca. “Say something like that again, and you’ll regret it. Now go away,” I say sharply.
Her expression twists. “It’s not fair, Roman. You promised me a life together.”
My jaw clenches. On some level, I can understand where she’s coming from.
“I didn’t make any promises, Bianca. You had expectations, and while I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to them, I don’t owe you anything.”
Her eyes are filled with tears. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me? This marriage was supposed to be my chance to prove my worth to this family. I was willing to be who you wanted me to be. I was willing to be perfect, and you’re throwing me away.”
I sigh internally. This is getting so damn tiring.
“This is so sad,” Elena says, standing next to me.
I look down at her, unsure if she’s being sarcastic or not. Judging by the way Bianca tilts her head, she’s not too sure either. When Elena steps forward, and I see her expression, I can tell she’s being sincere.
“You don’t have to get married to prove your worth, Bianca. I may not know you, but you deserve better.”
Bianca seems a little surprised by her words. Then her shock wears off, and she rolls her eyes. “Just shut up,” she snaps.
Elena sighs. “The only time I ever try to be nice.”
Bianca's gaze lands on me. "You'll regret this, Roman."
I don't say a word back.
"Good riddance," Elena mutters as we watch her walk away.
I pull her close, running my hand up and down her arm.
"She's really beautiful, you know," Elena says, looking at me with a teasing smile on her face. "Are you sure you won't regret breaking up with her?"
I roll my eyes. "Shut up."
She laughs, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me. I lose myself in her until a loud cough interrupts us. I growl, looking up.
“What the hell are you still doing here, Ivan?”
A muscle twitches in his jaw. “What the hell am I doing here?” he asks angrily. “What the hell are you doing, Roman? You ruined a lucrative deal and drove away one of our biggest investors, all because of her? Are you crazy?”
I grab Elena’s hand and pull her close, looking down at him, trying to control the rage building inside me.
“Be very careful what you say next, cousin.”
“Right. I’m your fucking cousin, ”he barks. “I’m your family, and you betrayed me for a girl who couldn’t keep her legs together. You’re a fucking idiot. And she’s a whore.”
One second, he’s speaking, and the next there’s a crack as his head snaps to the side. I didn’t throw the punch. Elena gasps, and my eyes widen as I see Tony there, clutching a bottle of vodka in one hand. He’s looking at Ivan with a murderous expression.
Where the hell did he even come from?
"Say that about my sister again," Tony slurs. "I'm going to fucking wash you away."
Ivan, who must be dying like hell, actually attacks him. I don't waste a second before stepping between them. My gun is ready in a few seconds. I point it at Ivan's chest, and he stops.
"The only reason I'm not going to kill you right now is that, unfortunately, my blood runs through your veins. But if you say anything like that again, I'll end you. I promise."
He swallows and looks nervous. "You're going to choose Legans over me? I'm your cousin!"
“Just because you’re my cousin doesn’t mean I like you. I don’t give a shit about you. You may have been useful last year, but make no mistake, I’ll always choose them. Tony’s my fucking brother, and you’re nothing to me. Now fuck off.”
He leaves without hesitation. I return the gun to its place in my jacket and turn around. Tony’s eyes are half-closed as he leans against his sister. He’s clearly in a cast.
I move to take his weight off her, and Elena snatches the bottle from him, her expression soft and a little wary as she looks at her brother. Tony's eyes flutter open and land on me.
"Hey, Roman. I missed you, man," he says, still slurring his words.
My throat tightens. "I missed you, too, bro."
He smiles and turns to look at his sister. "Hey, sis."
"Hey, big bro," she breathes. "Let's get you home."
We lead him to my car, and after he gets into the backseat, we drive toward my house. Elena looks back at her brother, who is fast asleep.
“Do you think he’s forgiven us?” she asks hopefully.
“I’d say it’s a fifty-fifty chance,” I answer with a smile.