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

you were a baby, of course," she

That I had biological aunts and uncles and

in the large family, a family I never knew that I had. Everyone wants

but

Sometimes interceding with the answer to a question before I can provide it, sometimes guiding me towards or away from a certain person with a little tap from his

ignore the way my back stays warm long after his hand

he is a constant presence during

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

The children are there Logan stands on a

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

a hand on my back again to show me the way. "Dad," Hudson says, his face frustrated as he steps

Aden says, frowning at him and nudging me

a trio, 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

taking an aggressive

it might be dangerous for her to talk to-who is out for blood, who could

that?" he asks, his anger not quite masking

fault. Before tonight you've never been interested in the family business-always more interested in college, and books, and whatever the

in the air, and in that moment, I

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 it takes

his father, crossing his arms across his chest, clearly hurt. "I can handle myself," he says, still angry but a

that his