Anna was looking on at the scene outside from where she was standing behind the windows. Her husband was holding her waist protectively as he was also looking at Jackson O'Kane's exchange with O'Neil from far.
Anna swallowed hard as she thought of the past that was fresh in her mind. She had history with O'Kane before marrying Arturo. She tried hard to avoid him after marriage. They had met briefly in parties at times. She didn't think of him unless she saw him like right now. Being close to him made all those memories she tried to forget so hard to come flooding in her mind.
Anna admired his persistence. All those years ago, he fought his father so hard. But he was defeated. Jackson's father was no ordinary mobster. He had a terrifying reputation. He was a cold hearted gang leader who no one dared to cross. He had a dictatorship and was prejudiced against Italians. Jackson was not even allowed to mention the name of an Italian girl at home let alone bring one home. He met Anna in secret many times and tried to convince his father to give him his blessing which of course was met with hostility. Jackson's father put him under close watch not allowing him to ever contact her again by any means. His father feared him marrying Anna in secret so he made sure there was no chance of it. She then didn't see his icy blue eyes again for a long time after he was put under surveillance by his father.
After his father's death, Jackson as his heir, became even more ruthless and controlling than his father making his organisation work well but his personal life did not improve as he never married. He managed his businesses with great discipline. His ultimate test was when he took revenge on all those responsible for killing his father. After that he had respect that no one could deny. No one messed with his family. To everyone he was the fearsome Irish mob boss who forgave no one for their crimes, not even his own father. He didn't attend his own father's funeral. His father took away the chances of him ever capturing Anna's heart by banning him from seeing her. He hated him for that reason and never made peace with him. Now he was a round mobster that everyone in that room was wary of. Only she had seen his soft side. Even Francesco was wary of him.
Anna shook her head "I need a drink. There is no point watching. They could be awhile talking about business out there." She then freed herself from Arturo's grip and walked to her table. She poured herself some whiskey and sat down downing the bitter liquid slowly thinking of the past that was coming back to her.
Anna looked at Amethyst and Andreas who were standing at the window watching the man out there who could have been their father if Arturo had stopped fighting for her. If Arturo had stopped fighting then she would have waited until Jackson's father died and then Jackson could be free from his father's laws.
Jackson seemed to be finally making his way to the building by the looks of it as Sterling asked the guests to return to their tables to enjoy their drinks. Anna downed more whiskey as she was not looking forward to see her ex again. But as Arturo sat next to her and planted a kiss on her cheek she felt better. He made her feel safe. He made her problems disappear just by being there sitting next to her. Arturo was understanding. He knew about her ex. He was jealous. She wasn't going to be surprised if Arturo clashed with Jackson. What mattered to her was the trust he had in her. He had accepted that before they were married she was with him. But now she had chosen Arturo and he loved him. Arturo never questioned her loyalty to him. They had no secrets between them. She had broken his heart once after deciding to not consult him when she had consented on Amethyst to have an operation to come out of coma. She felt guilty and was willing to atone for it how he wished. Not that she could endure his punishments. When he had blanked her out she didnt know what to do? She was lost. She couldnt lose him. She was lucky Arturo still loved her enough not to hurt her.
Arturo whispered " Do you want to be excused Anna?"
Anna would have run if it was a different situation. But she knew she could not run from jackson. She whispered "No Arturo. I will be fine."
Anna watched Jackson walk inside with his cosuins with the air of authority around him. As he entered everyone without exception stood up behind their tables including her husband Arturo. Even those who didnt like him respected him. He was honourable and those in the room respected honour. She wacthed him being lead around the room by O'Neil. He lead Jackson to an empty table. As Jackson sat down everyone else sat down. It was quite bizzare. Even the Don didnt get such respect sometimes from some families but Jackson did. He was an Irish leader who no one wanted to offend.
As everyone in the room carried on as normal and got on with drinking, the room became noisier as people were laughing and talking. There were so many faces that Jackson recognised in the room as he was looking around. He looked at the O'Neils. At Tristan. The boy had grown up. He looked like his father. He smiled to himself. He was going to make sure that boy knew everything by the time he was done with his training. Tristan was going to have months of long mentoring from him. He knew he was a fast learner. He had watched him from far.
Jackson's concentration then suddenly landed on one face in the crowed that made his heart jump, Anna, the woman who he loved more than his own life. He didnt like that she was drinking whiskey. That was too strong. How could Arturo let her drink like that? He was burning with jealousy. In all his years he had mastered his desires. He was a strict and disciplined individual. He didn't give into his only desire that minute that was to take out his gun and shoot Agostini dead. No. He had more self control than that and more importantly he was fair. Regadless of all his dislike for Agostini, he didnt blame him. He blamed his father for his failed love life. Agostini's sin was his exsitance. If he didnt exist then Anna would have waited for him and if she didnt then he was going to murder her husband if he was weak enough to be killed. But Agostini was a man ready to fight for his woman. He was not weak. Jackson had contemplated going to war with Agostini. Only his beliefs held him back. Anna had children with Agostini. Those children should have been his. That hurt his heart that Anna hadn't considered asking him to be godfather to her children. He felt like confronting her about that one day. But again he didnt need the title. He felt love for her children enough to be their godfather no matter what a piece of paper said.
Emanuelle arranged for Irish drinks to be brought to Jackson's table. He also made sure his cousins at the other table were happy with their drinks. They refused to drink anything with Italian brand. Of course just his luck Sterling had ordered plenty Italian booze.
O'Neil sighed and stood next to his cousin Jackson "Its custom that they come see you at your table just like how right now everyone one by one goes to Vincenzo's table to talk to him. He doesn't have to mingle just like the Don. Would you like me to invite all one by one to your table? If you dont want to be disturbed then thats just fine. I tell people to steer clear of your table until its time to make your announcement. You have had a long trip so I think its best you have some drinks."
Jackson looked up "Terrence, Its nice of you to ask."
O'Neil smiled "Its my pleasure. Just dont ask to see my wife and I won't have any disputes."
Jackson sighed. Terrence always protected his woman. She didnt need protection. If she needed to be put in her place then he was going to be more than happy to do it. But he didnt want to hurt his cousin's feelings that day and turn down his request so he declared "I want to see Agostini, Francesco, Sterling and of course your son... in this order. I dont need to see anyone else for the time being. I will summon others if I think of anything to say to them."
O'Neil was relieved. At least he didnt ask to see Sancia. His wife could be alright talking to Jackson but it was Jackson that worried him. He was easy to offend. Sancia was the only one in his family who wasn't blood related to Jackson. So she was most vulnerable to ever being added to Jackson's hit list. Of course Jackson was not going to hurt her because she belonged to an O'Neil. But if she offended Jackson he had to fix the mess or was forced to punish his wife personally on Jackson's orders which was not going to happen. He was going to take her punishment and was going to protect his family or was going to die trying. Maybe Sancia knew that too and that was why she hadnt cause any trouble when meeting the O'Kanes so far. But the O'Kanes were easily offended. Even if you looked at them funny they retaliated. O'Neil wondered about what Vitale was going to do with the Irish. If Letizia who wa s amagner for offending people ever crossed an O'Kane then Vitale was going to be toasted and roasted. Good luck to the kid. Vitale was a good kid but his love interest was trouble.
O'Neil nodded and walked to the Agostini table. He was not worried about any of the individuals that Jackson had asked to see. He was certain they were not going to insult Jackson. Even Agostini who had a temper could behave himself when it came to dealing with the Irish on American soil. He knew this was not Milan. Jackson called the shots. He was hoping for some fireworks though between the two love rivals but again he knew Agostini even picked his fights.
As he approved he smiled at Agostini to annoy him. Arturo raised an eyebrow "What is it? Dont tell me he wants to see me?"
O'Neil stood in front of Agostini's table "You read my mind. He wants to see you." He then gave him a big smile "He doesn't like to be kept waiting. Dont take too long." He then walked away to his own table near Jackson. He watched from far as Agostini stood up but to his surprise his wife stood up too.
Anna said to Arturo "I am coming. He will want to see me at the end so its best to get it over with."
Andreas and Amethyst looked at each other but didnt say anything. They even knew of the reputation of the O'Kanes. Why would the most ruthless Irish mob boss of this region wanted to see their mother? They didn't ask but watched as their parents walked away. Their father allowed it.
Arturo whispered as they were walking hand in hand to his table "If he makes you uncomfortable you just go. I will deal with him."
Anna squuezed his hand "He won't. You won't need to deal with him." She then thought to herself "I like to see him now with you so you wont have to deal with him Arturo."
As they approached Jackson, Anna became slightly nervous. His penetrating stare was on her. She felt almost regretful instantly. What was she thinking? But she had to hold it together. She had to deal with him one way or another.
Jackson stood up for them which showed respect as they erached his table. Arturo smiled at Jackson and offered his hand for him to shake. Jackson shook his hand with more force than necessary but Arturo didnt show the pain. He was bulkier than Arturo.
Jackson then turned to Anna and took her hand that she offered for him to shake. But to everyone's surprise he took her hand and planted a kiss on it making some onlookers gasp. He still loved her. He just declared it to everyone. So if they came at Anna they knew that this Irish heart only beat for her.
Arturo's expression slightly hardened as he pulled a chair for Anna to sit "Sit down darling." He then sat down as his wife sat down. Jackson waited. He stood standing staring at Anna "He was taking in the moment. He stated honestly "Your eyes are as beautiful as I remember."
Arturo wrapped his arm protectively around her waist "Sir, I appreciate your compliment for my wife. I agree. She is beautiful." He then turned to her planting a kiss on her cheek.
Jackson sat down and looked at Arturo right in the eye " There is no denial of it. Your wife has beautiful eyes. I hope you are not offended. I am just stating a fact. Do you also not expect one to compliment a rose for its beauty? I dont think so." He then turned to Anna " Why didn't you invite me to your children's christening?"
Anna didn't expect him to ask that.
Arturo answered for her "Well... We are sorry. We weren't aware that you had interest in attending."
Jackson's stare wasnt leaving Anna's "I expected to be named godfather to your children." He simply stated a fact. He expected an answer from Anna.
Anna looked away at her husband and then at Jackson " I am... sorry."
Jackson breathed deeply as though relaxing after hearing her apology. He needed her to apologise for that. He was insulted that she had excluded him from their lives.
Arturo stated " You are welcome to meet our children. You are welcome to our home any time. The question is why havent you come visit?"
Jackson turned to him "You mean that? Then in that case you dont mind accepting my invitation to my home too. I wish for you to drop by often."