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

you were a baby, of course,"

had

after another, I meet everyone in the large family, a family I never knew that I

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

all, but I admit that 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 away from a certain person with a little tap from his

to ignore the way my back stays

interfere-but he is a

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

The children are there Logan stands on a

say, "before I take that on." I cock my head toward Louisa

way. "Dad," Hudson says, his face frustrated as he steps in front of us. "I'll take her." He

Aden says, frowning at

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 off in

idea what the politics are in this room. Who it might be dangerous for her to talk to-who is

anger not quite masking the hurt

been interested in the family business-always more interested in

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

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

chest, clearly hurt. "I

that his