Chapter 26
Marcel
Two days ago I received a heads up from Stefan Dalca of all people stating an emergency clan meeting was being held. Isabella and I talked about it and much to my disapproval she decided to tag along with me. I wanted her to fly back to Los Angeles and wait for me there – safe from the Falcones, but you can’t ever change this woman’s mind once she has decided on something.
“Are you sure you want to accompany me?” I ask her as our town car takes us to Ion’s office building. We’ve had clan meetings here before but now it’s being used more frequently. He rents out three floors here. What the other two are for I have no idea, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wonder.
“Yes, I’m allowed to accompany you now. Correct?” She cocks a brow, lifting her left hand with that sparkly diamond she accepted from me while we were in Bora Bora. Only, it isn’t just one ring that adorns her finger. Now she has two there.
I smirk to myself, wondering what the rest of the Clans will think about the two of us eloping while we were out of the country. To say we didn’t follow proper tradition is a drastic understatement. Although, can anyone blame us after what happened at Philippe and Carla’s wedding? No, they can’t. It’s obvious we have a newfound enemy and I doubt any of us are safe until we identify said individual and hunt them down like the vermin they are. We know it was his assistant, but we all know she must’ve been operating under a fake name. I haven’t spoken to Philippe since the day of the bombing, but I’ll have to remember to strike up conversation with the man soon. If he needs my help in any way I’ll make sure he knows it’s his.
The town car pulls to a dead stop next to the corporate building and I look into the rear view mirror, meeting my eyes with our driver. “Stay here until we’re ready to leave.”
“You got it, boss.” He smugly replies.
I open my door and step out onto the sidewalk, extending a hand for Isabella as she exits the vehicle. Her eyes scan over the building, “I never thought I’d be here in any way other than the accountant’s daughter.”
Yet again she finds a way to put herself down. Leave it to me to add some humor. “Are you saying you never imagined you’d be the babygirl of the dashingly handsome Marcellus Funar?” I tease with a wink, pressing a chaste kiss on her cheek.
Hand in hand we walk beside each other and enter the building. New York is pretty much the colder version of LA. Everything is almost the same here, except you have a huge variety of vegan, juice restaurants and now even places where you can smoke dope and eat it in your food out in my neck of the woods. While I don’t mind the occasional visit to the Big Apple, I might’ve hit the top level of my palate being here when Isabella was undercover. I’m ready to get back to the Los Angeles sun and Rodeo Drive. Honestly, I have a surprise planned to take Isabella out for a shopping day. She deserves it after everything she’s been through.
“ Mr. Funar. It’s a pleasure to see you again,” Brutus, one of Ion’s more seasoned members of his security team says.
I give the old bastard a smile, “You as well, Brutus. Tell me, how’s the family these days?”
Brutus takes in a heavy breath, “I’d be lying if I said good. Dottie was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. Stage three. The kids are taking it really hard.”
One of the things I hate most in this world is how the kindest people end up with cancer while the twisted fucks live out their days healthy and happy. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Please let me know if I can do anything for you guys. I mean that, anything.”
“Thank you Mr. Funar. Mr. and Mrs. Petran have been very generous ensuring she gets to see the best oncologists and surgeons in all of New York. They’ve even given me days off and paid me for them too. I’ll tell ya, never have I had a boss like these two. I’m truly blessed. Anyway, enough small talk. You know I’ve gotta pat you down and clear ya before you can head upstairs. Your pretty friend too.” Brutus gives Isabella a look, narrows his eyes and I can tell he recognizes her. I watch as the man’s eyes linger down to her finger and he chuckles. “Boy, they don’t know what kinda show they’re in for upstairs, do they?”
“I’m afraid not, but do me a favor and don’t spoil my fun?” I cackle, slapping the man on the shoulder. He nods and proceeds to conduct the routine security check on not only myself but Isabella. You can never be too careful these days it seems.
The two of us enter the elevator and I give her a sensual kiss, sliding a hand under her dress I skim my fingertips across the lace thong she has on. “Daddy’s going to feast on you later, little girl.” I whisper in her ear, pinching that budding clit of hers.
I remove my hand and stand up straight just as the elevator doors come open, revealing numerous head clan members and their wives. Ion is the first to greet us with Mariana by his side. I think about how long it’ll take them to put two and two together, until I see they both shared a confused look. “Marcel, while we appreciate Isabella attending this meeting is only for Clan members and their wives.” Ion states, keeping his eyes trained on me. It’s almost as if he wants me to challenge him.
Isabella shocks me as she waves her left hand around like she’s the queen of fucking England, “Surprise, guys. You can call me Isabella Funar now.”
Mariana tries to hide her cackle as she looks to her husband, clearly loving the sassiness beaming from my wife. Ion on the other hand looks a bit pissed. “You eloped?”
“Considering it was the safer of the options, yes. Wouldn’t want any more bombings to happen.” I state. Ion sucks in a breath and nods.
“Can’t say I blame you there. Just didn’t expect you two to get married so soon.”
Isabella cuts in, taking her hand in mine. “With all do respect, Ion. Marcel and I waited far too long. We weren’t going to wait a moment more. Not when we knew what we both wanted.”
“Awe!” Willow, Duncan’s wife coos from beside us. “That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard!” Willow is the bastard daughter of the Adame Clan. Her father died a few years ago and because her siblings were all deceased as well she was the next in line. However, back then she was set to marry a male clan member. Willow, being the spitfire she is, said fuck that and ended up marrying the man her father sent to bring her home safely. More than that, she was the first woman ever given power in the Clans. So, she’s basically a legend.
Willow bursts into tears in front of us, causing everyone to look at her in shock. The room goes silent and I catch her husband in the corner talking to Philippe, but immediately he comes over to his wife.
“Are you okay, Willow?” Mariana asks.
Willow nods, “Yes, I’m so sorry. Bloody hell. I’m pregnant. This isn’t the way I wanted to let everyone know but dammit this spawn is making me emotional as hell! Graham never made me like this . . . but this kid. Ugh! I want to cry abouteverythingunder the bloody sun.”
Mariana chuckles and walks over to Willow, wraps her arm around her and leads her off into another room.
Ion remains standing in front of Isabella and I, “I understand the reasoning you two eloped. We were hoping to use the next wedding as a way to draw out Philippe’s ex-assistant. No matter, Elena is marrying Isaac in a few months. We can try to use their wedding as a way to get the mouse into the trap.”
“Is that what was so urgent?” I ask the King of the Clans, who nods.
“Yes, now let’s get this meeting started. We have much to go over.”