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

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

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

I meet everyone in the large family, a family I never knew that I had. Everyone wants to say hello, pressing my hand, telling

too. Fewer, of course, but several cousins with the same

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 away from a certain person with a

back stays warm long

a constant

our way across the floor, I see that we're heading

The children are there Logan stands on a chair

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

says, turning with me, putting a hand on my back again to show me the way. "Dad," Hudson says, his face frustrated as he steps in front of us. "I'll take her."

at him and

we head towards the alcove with the little restroom sign. Hudson pushes the point further. "Seriously, Dad," he murmurs. "You

can't, Hudson," his father snaps, taking an aggressive step towards him, cutting me

are in this room. Who it might be dangerous for her to talk to-who is out for blood, who could be

he asks, his anger not quite masking

Aden snarls, Hudson falling silent. "It's your fault. Before tonight you've never been interested in the family business-always more interested in college, and books, and

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

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 it takes to

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

knows, deep down, that