Page 64 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

John flashed a cocky grin. “Nothing, really. Just making it clear why it’s like that. Even if the territory seems like it’s yours, it’s nothing without a Marcello crew backing it.”

Darren sucked in a deep breath.

John smirked inwardly.

It was never good to make problems with someone whom you needed to do business with for the unforeseeable future. However, in this case, John absolutely wanted it clear that between him and Darren, he would always be the fucker coming out on top.

It was what it was.

That was just what Marcellos did.

“Good talk,” John said, standing from the stool. “I’ll be around the warehouse to chat with the guys, if you want to drop by. I’ll leave my number with the girl at the front so you can, uh, give me a call when we have to do this nonsense again, Darren.”

John stuffed his hands in the pockets of his slacks, and headed for the exit of the business. He didn’t make it halfway across the floor before a much larger and more important Calabrese man stepped in his path.

Matteo.

The boss.

And … Siena’s father.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Johnathan Marcello,” Matteo boomed.

Damn, the man was loud.

John gave a laugh, and tried not to let it show his irritation. He shook the boss’s hand because fuck him, even if the boss was one he despised, he couldn’t be rude. It was not the Cosa Nostra way.

Made men did not shun bosses.

“I heard through the grapevine that you’re taking over Andino’s business now that he’s … stepping up, shall we say,” Matteo said.

The man was as wide as a table.

Tall as a fucking tree.

Rings adorned all of his fingers.

His wealth, and his status?

It came from the blood running through John.

“Guess so,” John said.

“Funny,” Matteo murmured, “I always thought you were the second generation of the Marcello boys that would be stepping up, John. What happened to that, huh?”

The man reached out and patted John’s cheek.

Inwardly, his blood boiled.

The touch was affectionate, and even … friendly. Like a family member might do.

John hated it, but managed to stay calm on the outside. “I don’t think anybody thought anything about who was going where in the family, and I like where I am.”

Matteo nodded. “Mmhmm, I bet, John.”

“Is what it is, boss.”

That word burned his tongue.