soon. Now that I had secured Gemma, there really was no rush. I didn’t want word to get out that I was taken. It would lead to more unpleasant discussions with the girls I fucked, and I really didn’t need that.
Gemma’s smile dropped and she didn’t say anything. Diego stood off to the side with his father and Nonna, a pissed as fuck expression on his face. I led her that way and smiled.
Nonna didn’t crack a smile. She was eyeing me like Lucifer personified. I had to stifle laughter. She’d liked me all right until now. I’d get her back on my side with my charm soon enough.
Diego and Daniele would be harder nuts to crack, no doubt. They were getting their bad cop act on.
“Remo said you and him would come over tomorrow to discuss the details of our family’s union,” Daniele said.
“That’s right.” Remo didn’t like to invite people into the mansion, even loyal followers, even future family.
Gemma glanced between her father and me.
Daniele gave a terse nod. “We expect you for dinner at six.” He motioned Gemma over. “Come on, we need to go.”
“I’m staying. I need to talk to Savio,” Diego said. Gemma sent him a warning look, but he ignored her. She didn’t have to worry. Diego couldn’t intimidate me.
Gemma followed her nonna and father out of the Arena, frowning.
“I need to shower and change,” I said, turned and headed toward the changing room. Diego fell into step beside me. “Dad mentioned you don’t want to announce the engagement to Gemma this year. What’s that about?”
“Why the hurry? She’s mine. We will marry. I think it’s unnecessary to get engaged to a sixteen-year-old. I’d prefer to wait until she’s a bit older.”
“What’s a bit older to you?” Diego muttered.
I had no intention of telling him that the engagement would have to wait until Gemma was of age at least, and the marriage even longer. Tonight was for partying, not arguing.
I pushed into the locker room, Diego hot on my heels.
Mick was still inside, talking to his brother and father. Diego let out a low curse. I only nodded a greeting. Mick probably still needed time to cool off, which I got. If I’d lost a girl like Gemma, I’d have been pissed too.
I was about to pull my shorts down when Mr. Cantucci came over to me, extending a hand. “Congrats on your victory. You and your brothers are admirable fighters. This is what the Camorra is about. You make me proud to be part of it.”
Mick lowered his head with a dejected expression. His brother touched his shoulder and sent me a hard look. I preferred it to Mr. Cantucci’s flattery, but I smiled grimly. “Thank you. The Camorra would be nothing without the men risking their lives every day like Mick and Diego.”
Those two had taken out a few Bratva hole-ups with me. Mick never fought in the forefront, but he didn’t shy back from danger either.
He raised his eyes, meeting mine. He was far from mollified but didn’t look ready to kill me anymore. After he and his family were gone, I finally stepped in the shower.
Diego perched on a bench, glaring at the floor.
“How about we celebrate my victory in a club tonight?”
His head shot up. “All right.” A hint of wariness swung in his voice. I brushed it off. He’d had his panties in a bunch for months now. Maybe now that Gemma was mine, he’d finally pull his head out of his ass again.
Once we hit the dancefloor in one of the Camorra clubs, Diego did loosen up. Drinks in hands, we checked out tonight’s offering. Soon a few girls we’d known from school came over. One of them, Dakota’s younger sister, Noemi. Diego groaned. “I hope her sister didn’t send her.”
“I doubt it. She’s got her eyes set on me, not you.”
Noemi stopped right in front of me with a coy smile. Her family had affiliations with the Camorra but even though she was part Italian, they weren’t members, not for lack of interest, but Remo hadn’t deemed them trustworthy. “Hey Savio,” she shouted, pressing into my side, not even glancing at Diego. He was being groped at by another girl.
“Do I get a wish?”
“A wish?” I took a sip from my mojito, scanning her from head to toe. Not bad.
“It’s my eighteenth birthday. And I’d like to see your bull.” She let out a giggle, her palms sliding down my chest.