Page 156 of Loyalty

Except, like mannequins, they seemed plastic. Realistic to look at, and yet still fake.

In the crowd he picked out his grandparents. Old in their features, yet animated and young in their cheer as they chatted with guests. In the corner, he found Andino drinking something dark red from a wine glass.

He didn’t know if his cousin had seen him. John’s attention was elsewhere.

Like always, the top men of the Marcello organization gathered in the same spot for these parties. The main room where they could see and talk to everyone, and also be the center of attention.

This party didn’t look like it was anything different.

John cut through the people, and headed for the one man he needed to speak to. His father.

Lucian saw him coming, and stepped away from his brothers. “John.”

“You didn’t think to invite me?”

“You didn’t think to answer your phone?”

John shoved his hands in his pockets, and stared hard at his father. The differences between them in that moment were a bright contrast, and easy to pick out. Lucian, in his fitted suit. John, in jeans and a hoodie.

“Have you been talking to Andino, or something?” John asked.

His father frowned. “Why would I talk to Andino?”

Did his father not know? Did none of them know what he had done to a man just a couple of days before in a back alleyway?

“I don’t know if it was you, or Dante, or who the fuck it was,” John said, “but I don’t need any of you sending me shit like you did last week.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play fucking games with me, Dad.”

Lucian took a step toward his son. “John, are you all right?”

John bristled at the question. “Is that all any of you ever think about with me? If I’m okay, if I can handle myself, if my shit is taken care of? I am fucking fine, Dad.”

The level of John’s tone drew attention. His uncles looked his way, and some of the guests. He saw his mother break away from his aunts, and come their way. John had no interest in talking with her, either.

“I only came here to make one fucking thing clear,” John said.

Lucian held a hand up high when Dante stepped closer, as though he were going to step in on the conversation. It kept the Marcello boss from coming any nearer to them. Although, it wasn’t like John gave a fuck either way.

“And what’s that, son?” Lucian asked.

John smirked. “Remember, it’s not my loyalty in this family that ever needs to be in question.”

With that peace said, John turned on his heel and headed back into the crowd. People parted, letting him pass through. Their murmurs reached his ears, but he didn’t really hear what they were saying.

His point had been made.

People would talk.

John was not to be fucked with.

Not by his family.

Not by anyone.

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