I clamped my hand down on Remo’s shoulder without a word. Diego was heading toward the doors where his family had just appeared, everyone except for Gemma, who would enter with me later.
Adamo held his gaze. “I have the markings of the Camorra on my wrist. I can’t be both Camorrista and a soldier of the Famiglia. Our brother Growl had his Camorra tattoo removed before he swore loyalty to Luca.”
What the mighty fuck?
Remo’s face was like the sky before a hurricane. I grabbed Adamo’s arm and dragged him away. From the corner of my eye, I saw Serafina usher Greta toward Remo. She was dressed in her favorite tutu, which she rarely took off, and hurried to her dad. Remo was about to chase after Adamo and me when he noticed his girl and froze. Fabiano still stayed close to him, just in case, while Nino followed us.
Thank fuck for Serafina’s quick thinking. Greta was the valium to Remo’s burning rage.
I shoved Adamo into a restroom. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Did you come all the way from New York only to twist the knife in Remo’s chest?”
I was so pissed I wanted to smash his stupid face in.
Adamo shook his head with a hint of guilt. “I got mad when Remo suggested I had the Famiglia tattoo.”
“Can you blame him?” Nino said as he entered. “You’ve made yourself scarce these last few months. New York was meant as a temporary thing, a way to give you more stability. It wasn’t meant as more than that.”
Adamo ran a hand through his, as usual, messy hair. “I know. I’ll return in one month.”
He didn’t sound like he wanted to, though.
“You’d better,” I said. I was dead serious. I’d fly over to New York and drag him home personally if I had to. Not because I missed him, but because someone needed to protect Remo.
“Luca allows me to build up their illegal street races. He’s interested in my knowledge. He values my opinion.”
“He’s probably only trying to gain your trust and loyalty, so you betray the Camorra and your family,” I said, pissed once more. “It wouldn’t be the first time that he took in soldiers from other famiglias after all. Growl, Orazio… you’d be the icing on his cake.”
“I’m not going to defect the Camorra!” Adamo hissed. “Maybe I’m not like you, but I’m a Falcone and I’ll die one.”
“Then why did you provoke Remo by mentioning our half-brother? You know very well how Remo reacts to that name,” Nino said, disapproving.
“Ryan, I mean Growl, isn’t as bad as you make him out to be. I eat with him and his wife Cara once a week.”
“How about you keep that tidbit of information to yourself?” I muttered. That would definitely tip Remo over the edge.
Nino shook his head. “This was a mistake. Our cooperation with Luca should have never extended this far. Maybe it needs to end.”
“It’s not a big deal. I just enjoy helping with the races. I wish I could do it here as well.”
“I’m sure Remo will find a way to involve you in the races,” Nino said.
I glanced at my watch. “All right. As nice as chitchatting with you may be, I have an engagement to celebrate.”
Adamo shook his head with astonishment. “I leave for a few months and you decide to marry? What’s gotten into you?”
“Today’s not the wedding. That’s still a few years away. It’s just the promising ceremony the Traditionalists are so adamant about.”
Adamo gave Nino a questioning look. “You really aren’t pulling my leg? Savio is getting engaged?”
“You think we’d rent a ballroom just to play a joke on you?”
Adamo grinned sheepishly. “Come on. It’s a more likely scenario than you settling down. What happened to never going to put your bull on a leash?”
The ghost of a smile crossed Nino’s face as he and Adamo exchanged one of these looks.
“My bull won’t be put on a leash, don’t worry.”
“I’ll go and help Kiara with the kids,” Nino said, leaving us alone.
Adamo regarded me as if he’d never seen me before. “So, you and Gemma are an item?”
“Depends on your definition of being an item.”
Adamo chuckled. “I guess I’m going to be the one joking about your dick being MIA in the future.”
“Dream on, little brother. My dick’s going to get more action than yours.”
I left him standing there, looking dumbfounded. The ballroom had already filled with our Captains and important business associates. We’d decided against inviting the Underbosses. That could wait for the wedding.
Gemma was waiting in a small ante-room of the ballroom for me. When I stepped inside, my entire body went into shock at the sight of her. I’d sent her to the boutique where Kiara always bought her dresses and told her she could choose whatever she wanted as an engagement gift. Knowing about the money troubles her family struggled with, that seemed like the best option.
And holy fuck, Gemma had chosen a dress that knocked the breath straight out of me. It hugged her curves like a second skin and the fabric was so light, it appeared almost translucent. As I stepped closer, I realized it was, but all the interesting places were covered by flower applications. Gemma’s waist was narrow and her hips and booty designed to bring men to their knees.
She turned around when she heard me and for a moment, my brain short-circuited. The neckline dipped low, reaching her sternum, accentuating Gemma’s round breasts.
I couldn’t move as I took in every inch of her. I’d sent her clothes shopping because I’d been worried she’d show up in one of those horrible church dresses. Now I wished she wore a modest dress because in this outfit, I’d need to kill a few fuckers who couldn’t keep their eyes to themselves.
Suddenly I really wished she were older.
“Hi Savio,” she said with a small smile, a knowing glint in her eyes. Despite the blush staining her cheeks, she held her head high and looked regal.
Getting a grip, I walked over to her and fumbled in my pants pocket for the satin box. I finally pulled it out and held it out for her to take.
Her brows puckered. Then she finally grasped the box and opened it. I really wished I’d have taken a photo of her expression when she saw her engagement ring for the first time.
A grin was already forming on my face. Gemma gingerly picked up the jewelry to inspect it more closely. She cast her eyes up. “Are you serious?” Indignation rang in her voice.
“I had it handcrafted. I put a lot of thought into it. I hope you like it.” My grin widened at the look she gave the ring. “Let me.” I took the ring from her, grabbed her hand and slid it on.
It was obvious that she was fighting for composure.
Originally, I’d chosen the design to piss Diego and Gemma off for insisting on a timely engagement. Yet, seeing Gemma in that dress, I was glad to have staked my claim in this public way.
“It’s white gold with a diamond.”
The ring had cost a fortune, because of that fucking diamond alone, but it was worth every penny seeing Gemma’s struggle not to lose her shit.
“I thought having the ring form my initials was a nice touch.”
Gemma raised her eyes. “Like a brand.”
“Only without the pain.”
“I think I would have preferred the burn,” she muttered under her breath.
I stepped closer. “You wanted people to know you are mine. You wanted people to back off. What better way to do that than have a ring with my initials, Kitty?”
She didn’t say anything. Bending over her like I did, I got an even better view down her neckline. I straightened. I didn’t need additional temptation. Gemma was jailbait as it was. I held out my arm for her to take and she did so but didn’t take her eyes off my ring.
I couldn’t wait for our guests to see it as well.
“You think you’re the funniest,” Diego muttered later that evening. “Could you have chosen a more obnoxious ring for my sister?”
“You insisted that everyone knew she was mine.”
Diego snorted and took a gulp from the expensive whiskey the hotel served. He motioned at everything. “This is a nice show, but in the end, it comes down to one thing, you and my sister are promised to each other. It isn’t a game or a joke. One day you’ll realize it.”
“I know what it is, don’t worry.”
My eyes followed Gemma, who was on the way to the restroom. I had trouble taking my eyes off her. When Will and Noemi followed her outside, I went after them. “I’ll take care of it,” I said to Diego, who was about to follow.
I found all three of them in front of the restroom door. Gemma’s fists were balled. She looked like a fierce princess about to enter a throw down. I was half tempted to let this play out. Seeing Gemma kick ass in this dress would be the highlight of my year.
“Sleeping your way to the top?” Will asked. “I never thought Savio would go for plain fare in bed.” Noemi let out a nasty laugh, and Gemma’s body tensed. I knew that look on her face.
I stepped between them, grabbed Will by the throat and thrust him against the wall. His nose had healed. He hadn’t learned a lesson, it seemed.
I nodded at Noemi who was trying to sneak away. “You stay where you are!”