Chapter 328
Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father
My fatherâs speech wraps up a waiter comes to take my plate and deliver a glass of champagne to Daniel and sparkling cider to me.
âTo my daughter, the beautiful Fay,â my father says, looking at me adoringly as he raises his glass in my direction â
Fucking snake, is all I can think. Because I know, now, precisely what he did to Kent.
âAnd to Daniel, her perfect match!â Around the room, everyone raises their glasses into the air. Daniel and I, smiling, follow suit. âTogether they unite two old Sicilian families in a new era of commerce and joy! To the bride and groom!â
Everyone echoes his last five words and then we all raise our glasses to our lips, sipping at the expensive drinks probably taken from Kentâs own cellars as the spoils of war.
You damn hypocrites, I think as I sip my fizzy apple juice and force a thrilled smile onto my face. Iâm going to gut you all, one by one.
The crowd turns to us then as Daniel wraps an arm around my waist. I look up at him and realize that heâs leaning close and then I laugh, remembering that â of course â Iâm a bride today, not a mafia donna planning everyoneâs destruction.
Daniel smiles down at me and even bends me backwards a little bit as he kisses me soundly, the picture of the perfect romantic fiancé and the girl he adores.
I smile and kiss him back, truly loving him, grateful for Daniel by my side in every moment of this.
He pulls away while the gathered group applauds, and then I blush and laugh, looking down at my feet, shy Fay making her return.
We spend the next hour or so accepting the well-wishes of people I barely know who call us their family and friends. This is, in many ways, the reception for our wedding instead of the rehearsal dinner. Our families wanted to invite everyone to the wedding, of course, but Daniel and I insisted that we only want our very closest family to be there and no reception at all.
They nodded and murmured their understanding â Daniel father was just imprisoned, after all, throwing a pall over this happy event â but they insisted on throwing this party instead.
Still, itâs almost done, I think as my cheeks start to ache with so many fake smiles.
As our guests filter out, Natalia and Alessi slowly make their way over to us, Alessi beaming at us while Natalia frowns at his side.
âDaniel, Fay,â Alessi says, giving us a wide grin. âYou know we are so happy for you. And so excited for tomorrow. Your grandfather â he wishes he could be here ââ
âPlease,â Daniel says, waving a hand and dismissing it. âWe know travel is hard for him â but as soon as the baby is born, we will come to Italy so that they can meet.â
âThat would be...so special, Daniel,â Alessi says quietly, putting a fond hand on his nephewâs arm. As I watch him, I realize that in all likelihood Alessi really means it â after all, Daniel is his nephew and his childhood best friendâs son. I think he genuinely wants this to be real.
But as I turn to Natalia, I see the reality of it: that they both, indeed, have their suspicions.
âOf course,â she says carefully, turning her head to the side. âThe family...would like to know. To have certain...assurances that these new ties between the Bianciâs and the Aldens are...â
Danielâs face drops the moment he realizes what sheâs asking and Alessi inhales an awkward breath, lifting his hand from Danielâs arm.
âSeriously?â Daniel asks, suddenly furious. âYouâre asking me for a paternity test?â
âDaniel,â Natalia says appeasingly, spreading her hands as if itâs the easiest thing in the world. âSurely you must â
âSurely I what?â he snarls and I blink at him, considering that heâs learned a trick or two from Kentâs book.
âIt is the sort of thing we want to be assured of with all of our family ties,â Alessi says with a casual shrug.
âOh?â Daniel snaps, turning on him now. âAnd has anyone asked you for a paternity test for your own children?â
Alessi purses his lisp and narrows his eyes, but he doesnât say anything â taking Danielâs point. Natalia opens her mouth to offer her own rebuttal, but I slide in before she can say a word.
âItâs fine,â I say, smiling easily and placing a supplicating hand on Danielâs arm. âWe understand. In this modern world?â I shrug, mimicking their very Italian gesture, âit makes sense.â
Daniel says nothing, just looking away and glowering as he leaves it to me. So I turn to Natalia and smile. âWould you like us to have the test performed tomorrow? Before the wedding?â I say, giving her a too-kind smile and pushing her to make me ruin my wedding day by going to a clinic to have my blood drawn.
âNo, of course not,â Natalia says smoothly, crossing her arms. âTomorrow is a day for joy. The next day,â she continues with a smile that shows all her teeth, âwould be just fine.â
Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father ï¤Chapter 0327