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.

mouth, wondering what to say, but Emily picks it

of course," she says, gushing, waving several people over from a

so hard to imagine that all these people knew me. That I had

family, a family I never knew that I had. Everyone wants to say hello, pressing my hand,

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

I'm surprised that Aden stays at my side the entire time. Sometimes interceding with the answer to a question before I can provide it, sometimes guiding me towards or

to ignore the way my back stays warm long after his

is a

see that we're heading towards my father and his

on a chair to wave at me before his mother tugs him

say, "before I take that on." I cock

"Dad," Hudson says, his face frustrated as

Aden says, frowning at him

Hudson pushes the point further. "Seriously, Dad," he murmurs. "You can

his father snaps, taking an aggressive step towards

in this room. Who it might be dangerous for

fault is that?" he asks, his anger not quite

been interested in the family business-always more interested in college, and books, and whatever the hell it is you

and in that moment, I wonder...does Aden know

because she's here-" he throws out a 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

clearly hurt. "I can handle myself,"

deep down, that his father has a