His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 274

Elena

“You look gorgeous, Elena!” My dad gushed as he pulled out his camera and started taking pictures. I took an awkward stance and hid my face in embarrassment.

“Dad, this dress is hideous,” I told him. “Aren’t you supposed to tell me to take it off and to cover myself up? It’s a church wedding.”

“For what?” He laughed. “Who am I to tell you what a woman should and shouldn’t wear? Now smile so I can take a pretty picture.”

My heart grew soft at my dad’s normal behavior, which he hadn’t shown in a while. He took the time to wear a suit and to do his hair and it had been a long time since he looked this decent. “Okay, one picture,” I spoke shyly before I posed for the photo.

“By the way, you’re in a good mood today-are you going on a date?”

“Date? Who, me?” My dad laughed out loud. That’s right, that man wasn’t capable of keeping a woman happy. All I could remember from the time my mom left was that he tried to fill her empty spot many times. Although he never got remarried, there were countless potential candidates-who had all lived here for a while. They were too many to count on one hand.

All of them had backed out because they couldn’t take it anymore. My dad was a control freak and obsessed with his work. He had always been proud of his job as a DEA agent and had not been afraid to show it.

While I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my school peers and do something like ballet or gymnastics, my dad had different plans. He used to take Alex and me to shooting ranges, send us to military youth camps, and all the other stuff I was not interested in.

Alex had no choice but to follow in his footsteps, but the rules for me were different. There was no way in hell that he would’ve pushed me to become an agent, over his dead body. He was traumatized because my mom ran off with a criminal and perhaps even a bit misogynistic, if I had to admit.

bit different from my mom as I broke all contact

in the past, and that was not going to change. At least,

I even dreamed of him yesterday as I couldn’t get him off my mind. Whenever I closed my eyes, all I could see was the warm smile on his face and his eyes which were enough to make me melt. Was he really a bad person?

other half, Stevie Maddens, and he’s the reason

spoke as I grabbed my purse from the table. I was not good at hiding my facial expressions and anyone could see right through me. My dad chuckled. “Your

and Elena being in the same sentence was weird, but it was definitel something I could get used to, and I was sure

to take us to the

if I fitted right in.

a perfectly nice suit. He seemed flustered by my presence and lowered his

were busy with the

no, no,” I repeated in anger. “Don’t tell me you guys are going to that creepy cartel wedding when you

been so occupied with Marvin’s identity that the thought of my dad and my idiot brother putting our lives in danger hadn’t even

planning to get revenge for what happened to that Danny guy. Did that

would get back to normal. I didn’t have to worry about him

of losing Marvin made my heart ache? What was happening to me!

my dad would not let that happen, no. He would do anything to make sure he got out alive, so he could confess to

was time for me to realize that. My dad and Alex nicknamed the man him and refused to say his name. If that wasn’t more than enough prove-then

you guys go and do your thing-I don’t care.” I shrugged. This whole situation was too much of a burden for me at the moment. My dad and Alex shot each other a look. “Elena, do you have a fever?” Alex