Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden) novel 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, a 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.

I open my mouth, wondering what to say, but Emily 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.

It’s so hard to imagine that all these people knew me. That I had biological aunts and uncles and cousins—people who loved me as a child.

One after another, I meet everyone in the large family, a 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 Hudson’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 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 hand on my lower back.

I try to ignore the way my back stays warm long after his hand leaves me.

He doesn’t interfere—but he is a constant presence during the evening.

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

I hesitate. “I think I’d like to…visit the bathroom,” I say, “before I take that on.” I cock my head toward Louisa and my father.

“Of course,” Aden says, 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 night—”

“It is your fault, Hudson,” Aden snarls, Hudson falling silent. “It’s your fault. Before tonight you’ve never been interested in the family business—always more interested in college, and books, and whatever the hell it is you do all day.”