Chapter 15

JOHN PAUL

I head out of the dressing room; my hands are clenched so tight, they begin to ache. Adonis meets me out in the main room.

"This is a fucking mistake," I tell him, infuriated.

"What happened?"

"She's in bed with the Irish," I inform him. "Literally, fucking the Irish, Donny!" I hiss out angrily.

"Who?"

"Declan Malone's son. Sean or Sunny, whatever the fuck his name is." I stand at the bar and order a drink. The bartender slides a glass over to me, and I throw it back quickly, and I tap the counter asking for another.

"We have a good rapport with them, don't let this tarnish your good standing with them, JP."

"I'm not!" I slam the glass down. "But I can be fucking pissed about it if I damn well please!" I make my way back over to the table.

I can't believe she's with someone else. I mean, I knew she was, but seeing him here, listening to them argue, watching them together, it makes me want to break something with my bare hands, preferably his neck.

Cristian turns to me when I sit back down, "Despite the obvious surprise, the girls are good, John Paul. They engage the crowd well, and as much as you don't want to hear it, Stella is a clear favorite."

"You're right. I don't want to fucking hear it." I growl. My tie feels like it's choking me to death as I tug at my collar.

Joey chuckles, "Stella still gets you worked up, I see."

"She's so damn infuriating. Sometimes, I just want to..." I form my hands into a choking gesture, grunting in frustration. I wasn't expecting everyone to laugh, but they do, which only adds to my irritation.

"Let's keep the fun going; what do you say?" The DJ cuts in through the speakers enthusiastically, and I want to put a bullet in his fucking head.

"Let's bring back out, Raven!"

Annalisa and Samantha clap and cheer loudly like a pair of groupies.

The stage lights turn off, and a spotlight shines on Stella sitting on a chair her back is towards us as the music begins with static beats and clapping sounds, and the crowd begins to clap with the pulse of the song; she changes poses as the song progresses.

She stands and slowly walks around the chair, then kicks it back off of the stage as she moves to the front.

She crouches down and sways back and forth with the music. As the music speeds up, so do her movements; but I can see there's a fire behind her eyes.

I see now what Rio means about her pulling you in during her dance, and you know what she's feeling. 

She's angry.

Angry at me, I realize when her eyes meet mine.

And damn it, if I didn't feel turned on by it, but then I realize if I feel turned on, then sure as hell, so do the rest of the fucking men in this damn place.

When the song slows down again, she makes her way to the pole and begins her movements on it. She switches hands on it, flipping her head back, she moves perfectly with the song.

I'm completely lost in the dance as Stella climbs up the pole and does some high-speed spins and changes her grip, and continues spinning. Then, I watch as she moves to the very top again and turns quickly before tucking herself into a ball and slides down the pole at a rapid speed.

The crowd, including several at our table, gasp loudly, and I find myself gripping the edge of the table anxiously, but Stella stops herself before she hits the floor. The look on her face is one of power; she knows what she's doing and knows she has everyone at her mercy.

I've only watched a couple of the other girls dancing aside from her, but Cristian's right; she's a clear favorite. When the song ends, the crowd erupts in loud jeers and whistles.

I have a hard time resisting the overwhelming urge to go back there to see her, to talk to her again. Especially when I look over at the table, Sean was sitting at and still don't see him there.

"I'm going to have Stella show me some moves for our wedding night," Annalisa's voice draws my attention back to our table. She smiles at Joey, stroking his face as she leans up against him.

I still can't believe they're getting married; I mean, I'm happy for them, but also envious, remembering my proposal to Stella.

"You already have all the right moves, dollface," Joey tells her and kisses her when she turns her head to look up at him.

Enzo slaps my shoulder, my drink nearly spilling out of the glass that's in my hand. He sits down on the other side of Cristian.

"I gotta tell you, out of all the people she could have ended up with, I would never have expected, Sean Malone." Enzo laughs heartily, completely oblivious to my hostile demeanor.

"Wait, Sean's here?" Annalisa asks excitedly.

So she knows about him, fucking fantastic.

"Yeah, but they went to a private room to "talk," so I don't think you're going to see them for a minute," Enzo informs us, and I can't help the growl that comes deep within my throat.

Cristian looks at me, "Stai calmo, nessuno può prendere il tuo posto nel suo cuore." (Stay calm, no one can take your place, in her heart)

But all I can think about is what he's doing to her right now, and I breathe heavily. I angrily regret trying to be "supportive." I glare at Adonis, but he avoids my furious gaze.

The girls take a break from performing and walk around, mingling with the men in the room. The short Latina girl who has been nonstop flirting with Rocco at the Villa makes a beeline for him, and Rocco pulls her into his lap. I notice Rio is focused on them specifically as he narrows his eyes at them.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Sean return to his table, alone, but then Stella emerges from the other side of the room, and several men in the room head towards her. 

Cristian nods at Enzo, and Enzo heads over to her. He pushes his way through and guides Stella over towards us, and Annalisa and Samantha pull her towards their end of the table.

"Girl, you need to teach us your moves!" Samantha exclaims.

"Where did you learn all of that?" Annalisa exclaims. I think I hear Stella say YouTube, but I'm not sure I heard right, over their loud laughing.

"I heard Sean is here. Where is he? I want to meet him." Annalisa asks cheerfully, and I never hated her until that very moment.

"He's over there." Stella gestures to his table, and he happens to look over, and she beckons him over to her. He leans over to the guy that's with him and stands to make his way over to our table; and I grit my teeth, preparing myself to have him nearby again.

As I watch him approach, I wonder what he does for his family; he's probably an enforcer based on the fact that he has bruising and other marks on his face, reflecting he was in a recent fight.

Cristian had told me the other day that Declan is meeting with him to talk about using some of his men for something, but he wasn't sure for what.

"Sean, these are my friends." Stella introduces him to everyone. 

Heated jealously surges through me as I watch Stella tell him to sit, and he pulls her over him; it's overwhelming me almost to the point where I feel sick. His hand splays out on her thigh, holding onto her as if his life depends on it.

Fucking, desperate, coglione. (Idiot)

A few waitresses come by and serve us a round of drinks, and the waitress who sets my glass down doesn't hide her obvious attraction to me and gives me a flirtatious look as she straightens back up.

When I look back down the table, Stella gives me a look I know all too well. I narrow my eyes at her.

Does she really think she has the right to give me the look while I have to sit and watch her being pawed all over by her idiot boyfriend?

"Sean, what is it you do these days?" Cristian questions, demanding everyone's attention.

Sean glances at me for a moment before looking at Cristian. "Publishing."

Cristian chuckles. "I meant for your family; what are you doing for Declan?"

"Hunting down the asshole, Jimmy, that keeps giving you guys the slip," Sean says cockily. 

Stella mutters something to him, but he keeps his stone-cold gaze only on Cristian. Enzo makes a groaning sound and shakes his head. Cristian masks his offense, at Sean's insult, expertly.

I'm sure Sean must have his reasons for being disrespectful. Maybe he's trying to prove himself, or he's holding a grudge against Cristian for accepting the hit on him, but he's going about it the wrong way.

"You're new around here, Malone. Word of advice, know your audience." I lean back and sip my drink, "Considering why you are here in the first place, I'd watch your fucking tone and smug-ass attitude. Correct me if I'm wrong but, Declan hasn't had much luck finding Jimmy, either. And I'm sure your family would not appreciate you single-handedly, fucking up the potential partnership with Cristian before it even begins."

The tension at the table is palpable, but I relish it. Sean looks at Stella, assuming she was the one who mentioned something to me.

"Don't look at her," I lean forward. "Stella didn't say anything if that's what you're thinking." I throw back the rest of my drink. "She hasn't mentioned anything about you, other than telling me there's 'someone else.'"

I return the enraged glare Stella gives me, and I keep my eyes on her as one of my men approaches Adonis and me, notifying us of a call I need to take.

I stand, buttoning my suit jacket. "Enjoy the rest of the show; drinks on me for the rest of the evening." I address the table. "Cristian, will you join me, per favore?"

"Si, si certamente." He responds and excuses himself from the table as well. (Yes, yes, of course)

"Vito is on the phone. He would like to speak to you regarding the gathering coming up." I inform Cristian as we walk through the room.

"Does he plan on making an appearance after so many years being away?" Cristian questions.

"Vito wants to meet Stella," I tell him as we walk back into the office, where Rio has been working out of the last week. "But yes, he does plan on coming to the gathering as well. He wants to ensure nothing like what happened with Gio is even an option. There aren't many Don's left, so I don't think it will be an issue. But he wants the Irish and the Albanians there, now, too."

"Why?"

"Vito wants us to make sure the Albanians have a clear understanding that we are not a threat to them or the Irish for that matter. But if they dare come against us, they'll certainly regret it." I hit the speaker button and announce myself.

"John Paul, Cristian è con te?" Vito may be in his late sixties, but his voice is still formidable. (Is Cristian with you?)

"Sì, sono qui Vito. È passato molto tempo, sì ? Cristian answers. (Yes, I'm here. It's been a long time, yes?"

"Sì, sì, lo ha fatto," Vito responds. (Yes, yes it has)

"I'm sure John Paul has informed you of my visit, yes? I want to spend some time to meet and get to know my only nipotina, Stella. I plan on attending this year's gathering; I want clear that John Paul is the head. Cristian, you always looked out for my son, and I hear Stella as well. And I thank you for helping bring my Carmela home to me.

I apologize for keeping you in the dark past few years about John Paul and others; it was for their safety as well as yours. Not done maliciously or underhandedly." Vito tells Cristian in his broken English.

"Do not worry; I did not think it was ill-intended, though it was quite a shock. It has always been my pleasure to work with you, Vito, and Timo. I consider Stella to be like my own family. Though, if I'm honest, she's also the reason why I know I never had kids." Cristian chuckles. Vito's bellowed laughter comes through the speaker as well.

"Yes, I hear from John Paul, she is handful, very fiery. A temper like Timoteo's."

"In comparison, Timo was quite tame." I grin, thinking of my Stella. "You may even have the pleasure of seeing the temper for yourself. She's not happy about being left in the dark about your existence, Vito. She's never liked being kept out of things."

"I understand, but it was Timoteo's choice. I could not argue with his wishes for his daughter. But I look forward to meeting her nonetheless." He clears his throat, "Now, in preparation for the gathering, make sure each of the underbosses are prepared to give detailed summaries of their accounts..."

Vito goes into business mode for the rest of the call, going over his expectations and suggestions on where we need to push harder and what we need to cut off.

Cristian's involvement is heavily concentrated in the arm's dealings of the shipments as he manages and oversees products going and coming from Italy and other parts of Europe. And, of course, his elite group of assassins is utilized throughout Europe and different parts of the world.

Once we conclude the call, we head back towards the table, but the only ones left are Santino, Enzo, and Topo.

"Where is everyone?" I ask as casually as possible, though I really only care about where one particular woman is.

"They left, headed home. Stella finished her last set five minutes ago and left with Sean." Enzo informs me, stabbing the wound on my heart repeatedly.

"You let her go by herself?" I question, trying to contain my anger.

"Nicky's tailing them, don't worry. She's in good hands." Enzo smirks at me, knowing he's tormenting me, and I fight the urge to rip his face off. 

~~~~~

**Man, JP and his anger issues! Hahahaha


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