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.

open my mouth, wondering what to say, but Emily picks it

you from when you were a baby, of course," she says, gushing, waving

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

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

course, but several cousins with the same dark

meet them 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

ignore the way my back stays

a constant presence during

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

The children are there Logan stands on a chair to wave at me before his mother

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

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." He shakes his head. "You've been hovering all

frowning at him and nudging

restroom sign. Hudson pushes the point further. "Seriously, Dad," he murmurs.

snaps, taking an aggressive step towards him, cutting me

no idea what the politics are in this room. Who it might be dangerous for her to talk

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

Aden snarls, Hudson falling silent. "It's your fault. Before tonight you've never been interested in

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

in this world? Suddenly you're a boss, a Don, in the business? Know how to navigate everything it takes to

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

deep down, that his father