Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Brooklyn

A whistle escapes my mouth as we walk into the country club. This place has a grand, old-fashioned kind

of charm, with freshly buffed fine oak floors, brass chandeliers, and sweeping views.

As soon as we enter, waiter comes up to offer us champagne.

This is one of those times where I wish alcohol had more of an effect on me. My shifter metabolism processes it too fast, so any relief for my nerves will be short-lived.

Aden doesn't make eye contact with him, merely saying, "Whiskey, neat," and surveying the guests. Hudson is more polite, nodding and smiling as he takes two glasses from the tray, passing one to me. We only get a few steps into the room before we are bombarded with attention.

"Is it really you?" an older woman says, hurrying over and reaching out a hand to take mine. "Our darling Brooklyn?"

"Um..." I try and smile, already a little overwhelmed. Okay, so maybe this isn't going to be as bad as it was with Louisa. "Hello-"

"Yes," Aden says, stepping forward, not letting the woman pull me away. "This is Brooklyn. We're so pleased to be here, Emily."

The woman pauses, smiling at Aden. "Well of course, we're always glad to see you, Aden." Her eyes dart between us.

"Emily is your aunt," Aden tells me, accepting the glass of whiskey that the waiter is quick to bring back. He takes a sip, looking to me, apparently allowing me to continue the conversation.

my mouth, wondering what to say, but Emily picks it up for

remember you from when you were a baby, of course," she says,

hard to imagine that all these people knew me. That I had biological aunts and uncles and

after another, I meet everyone in the large family, a family I never knew that I had. Everyone wants

Hudson's side are here, too. Fewer, of course, but several cousins with the same dark hair and

with the answer to a question before I can provide it,

the way my back stays warm long after his

doesn't interfere-but he is a constant presence

our way across the floor, I see that we're heading towards my father and his wife at the

Logan stands on a chair to wave at me

I take that on." I cock my

the way. "Dad," Hudson says, his face

at him and nudging me

we head towards the alcove with the little restroom sign. Hudson pushes the point further. "Seriously, Dad," he murmurs. "You can go, I'll stay by her side. I can

snaps, taking an aggressive step towards him, cutting me

what the politics are in this room. Who it might be dangerous for

face twists, angry. "And whose fault is that?" he asks, his anger not quite masking

your fault. Before tonight you've never been interested in the family

hangs in the air, and in that moment, I wonder...does Aden know

hand towards me, "-what? Suddenly you know what you're doing in this world? Suddenly you're a boss, a Don, in the business? Know how to navigate everything

father, crossing his arms across his chest, clearly hurt.

deep down, that his