Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father novel Chapter 49

“Rosemary is your aunt,” Kent 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.

I open my mouth, wondering what to say, but Rosemary picks it up for me. “We remember you from when you were a baby, of course,” she says, gushing, waving several people over from a nearby table.

I blink in surprise – but of course, they would have known me. Of course I had biological aunts, and uncles, and cousins – people who loved me as a child. I just had really never thought of it before.

It seems like I meet hundreds of people that night – the large Italian family I never knew that I had. Everyone wants to say hello, pressing my hand, telling memories they had of me, welcoming me.

People from Daniel’s side are here too – fewer, of course, but several cousins with the same dark hair and green eyes. I’m pleased to meet them all, but I admit that I’m surprised that Kent 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 hand on my lower back.

He doesn’t interfere, quite – but he is a constant presence during the evening.

As we work our way across the floor, I see that we’re heading – ever so subtly – towards my father and his wife at the front of the room. The children are there – Romulus stands on a chair to wave at me before his mother tugs him down.

“Um,” I say, hesitating a little. “I think I’d like to…visit the bathroom,” I say, “before I take that on.”

“Of course,” Kent says, turning with me, putting a hand on my back to show me the way.

“Dad,” Daniel says, his face frustrated as he steps in front of us. “I’ll take her,” he says, shaking his head. “You’ve been kind of hovering all night –“

“Nonsense,” Kent says, frowning at him and nudging me forward. As a trio, we head towards the alcove with the little restroom sign. Daniel pushes the point further.

“Seriously, dad,” he murmurs, “you can go, I’ll stay by her side – I can handle this -“

“No, you can’t Daniel,” his father snaps, taking an aggressive step towards him, cutting me off in my path. “You have no idea what the politics are in this room – who it might be dangerous for her to talk to – who is out for blood, who could be a possible friend.”