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.

say, but Emily picks

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

people knew me. That I had biological aunts and uncles

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

side are here, too. Fewer, of course, but several cousins with the

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 little tap from his hand on my lower

try to ignore the way my back stays warm long after his hand leaves

is a constant presence during

across the floor, I see that we're heading towards my

there Logan stands on a chair

I'd like to...visit the bathroom," I say, "before I take that on." I cock my head

says, turning with me, putting a hand on my back again to show me the way. "Dad," Hudson says, his face

frowning at

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

father snaps, taking an aggressive step towards him, cutting me

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

fault is that?" he asks, his anger not quite masking the hurt in his

tonight you've never been interested in the family business-always more interested in college, and books, and whatever the hell it is you do all

in the air, and in that moment,

you know what you're doing in this world? Suddenly you're a boss, a Don, in the

chest, clearly hurt. "I can handle myself,"

down, that his