But where Maxim may have trusted me, he hadn’t yet given me the responsibility I craved and was more than ready for. He thought me too wild, too unfocused, or at least that was what he said. With him, I never knew for sure. I’d prove him wrong, though, show through my words and deeds that I was ready for more responsibility, and Daniela Carmelli, or more importantly, what she represented, was going to help me.
The woman herself didn’t matter.
It was funny, though, I thought as I drove toward my destination, the surroundings a blur. I’d never planned on having a wife, and I’d never contemplated a wedding, especially not like that one.
Every single eye in the place had been unfriendly. Santo Carmelli had glared at me through swollen eyes, and his assembled men had done the same.
I didn’t give a fuck.
Each of them would have no problem seeing me dead, just as I wouldn’t them. Of course, not a single one, not even Santo, had the balls to make a move. I’d been there alone, unprotected, a calculated decision on my part, and they’d all sat with their thumbs up their asses, too fucking terrified to do anything as Santo’s daughter had pledged herself to me forever.
Fucking pathetic.
A testament to Maxim and the Syndicate’s power. Through some miracle I still didn’t quite understand, Maxim had spared Santo’s life and demanded his daughter as a show of loyalty. And Santo, piece of shit that he was, had given her up.
I didn’t expect more from one like Santo, but the depth of his cowardice was disgusting. Morals weren’t something I often valued in myself or others, but sacrificing your kid to save your own ass was pretty fucking low, even for people like us.
But Santo had given her up and I’d married her, so now it was time for me to reap the benefits. I felt my face turning down in a frown as I thought of Daniela. She could become a complication if I let her.
I wouldn’t.
Still, I couldn’t help but think of what I’d seen in her eyes during those few tense moments at the altar. Of how quickly she had hid everything, returned her expression to one of neutral acceptance in a split second.
It was good that she kept herself under control. I had no time and even less patience for anyone’s antics. Yes, she was an innocent in this, or as close to one as there could be. Seeing her walk to the altar had reminded me of that, given her a depth I hadn’t considered before, but she’d have to stay in line or deal with the consequences. This was my chance to prove myself to Maxim, and I wouldn’t fuck it up.
I drove to a residential neighborhood and stopped at the brick and iron gate a few houses down from my destination and rolled down my window.
“Is he expecting you?”
The new guy—I hadn’t bothered to learn his name—stared at me suspiciously and then into the SUV.
I gritted my teeth and stared back, noting that there was no recognition on his face, though he certainly knew who I was.
“I don’t have an appointment if that’s what you’re asking,” I said more calmly than I felt.
“No appointment? Come back when you have one,” he said.
He turned and began walking back toward the security tower.
“Open the fucking gate,” I barked.
I tried to cut new guys like him a break. I remembered all too well how rough it was to rise in the Syndicate—and the consequences for failure. But I was tense, almost irritable after that fucking farce of a wedding, and my patience was running thin.
The new guy looked at me and then pushed the communication device lodged in his ear.
“There’s a visitor here,” he said, eyeing me as one hand drifted toward the gun at his waist, his attempt to be threatening, project an air of confidence. He’d learn that confidence didn’t come from weapons, or he’d die. Thirty seconds more and I would have given him his first lesson.
Lucky for him, the gate slid open, and I drove through and accelerated toward the main house.
I’d met Adrian after the wedding and confirmed that nothing out of the ordinary had happened, a fact he’d no doubt reported to Maxim. Adrian was Maxim’s eyes and ears, and a brutally effective weapon if called upon. He was also one of the few people I trusted.
He was standing on the sidewalk as I pulled up, his densely muscled frame and searingly intense aura even more out of place here in the suburbs than Maxim and I were.
“I need an appointment now?” I asked as I parked and got out of the car.
“Marcos was simply doing as instructed,” Adrian said.
“Marcos is his name? Tell him I won’t be so nice next time,” I said.
Adrian said nothing, not that I had been expecting a response.
Instead, he continued to stand looking out over the suburban neighborhood that Maxim had taken over, eyes sharp, searching, for what in particular, I didn’t know.