Mafia's Redemption: Terzo - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

TERZO
The mistrust and cautiousness were deep in her eyes. I knew she wouldn’t trust me anymore, but I was here for her, not just as her husband but as the same person who promised to protect her till my life ran out.
I pulled out the engagement ring and the wedding band from the box. Before I could slide them to her finger, she grabbed them and sighed.
I watched her put them on, and the four-carat marquise engagement ring that fit perfectly around her finger.
She raised her hand and examined them. Her eyes lit up, admiring the ring. “I’ll give them back to you once the show is over.”
“They’re yours. They’re meant to be yours. Keep them.”
“I can’t. I don’t—”
“You don’t want anything to do with me anymore. I get it, Dani. I lied to you, and you felt that I deceived you. Maybe I did, but I did what I did—”
“For your family. You sacrificed everything for them. You’re the hero without the cape. I heard that a thousand times since I arrived here.”
“No.” I winced. “I did it to protect you because once you knew about your brother’s death, you’d kill me or run away.”
“Why didn’t you just turn me over to my father?” She was almost taken aback by her own words, dreading what I might reply.
“I couldn’t do that. I knew who your father was, what he was capable of, and who he was acquainted with.”
“You don’t know me to protect me or to risk your life and the lives of your family because you suddenly formed a conscience and a heart.”
“Maybe I just throw you to the wolves for ten million dollars.” Nothing I could say to make her change her mind. So what was the point of keeping this conversation going? “Let’s go down. The dinner was about to start.”
Furious, she walked past me to the door. I let her.
Once she climbed downstairs, I followed her quicker than she could because she was wearing the fuck-me-high-heels, and she looked fucking hot in the black dress with her toned thighs and legs that could run a mile.
I had to take a breath to control the urge to kiss her senseless as those sinful lips parted and were about to say something. The moment her scent assaulted me, I inwardly groaned to keep my cock under control or I would have a raging hard on all night.
Once I got to the bottom, I smiled and offered my arm. She saw my men, Gio and Marco, dressed in black suits. She had no choice but to play along until this night was over.
“Let’s get this over with.” She hooked her hand around my arm.
The double door swung open. The dinner was held in the garden, one of the family’s favorite spots.
A sharp intake of breath escaped from Dani as the expansive space where the reception took place, with our guests starting to arrive. The party coordinator did a great job of making it possible in just one day.
Meticulous floral and candle arrangements were scattered throughout the garden and on the extensive long table. Papa made it happen. Of course, with the right price.
Flashes from the photographer blinded our eyes. Her grip around my arm tightened, and she began to cling to me.
“I think that’s enough,” I ordered the family photographer. I knew he would still take some family photos later on.
“I thought it was just dinner.”
“It’s the dinner to welcome you to the family.”
She turned, looked at me, opened her mouth to argue, but shut it back and held her thought. She looked amazed and amused at the same time. Her beautiful eyes glittered under the moonlight and from the lightning outdoors. She was breathtaking.
A hush fell over the crowd as we walked towards the reception, and I could feel the tension in her shoulders. It was understandable considering she didn’t know anyone invited, and she was literally in hostile territory, and the only thing that kept her safe was our union.
“Relax. It’s not a bad idea to smile at our guests.” I knew she could be stubborn in her own way, but playing along would make this affair easy and quick for both of us.
I didn’t like attention so much. I’d like to work behind my father rather than before everyone, but right now, this dinner was thrown for us, and I didn’t want to disappoint my father than I already did.
I wanted him to believe that I could do this, and the decades he’d groomed me to be his successor didn’t go to waste. I wanted him to be proud of me for standing up for my decisions, and that I was the right man to take over his seat once he retired.
I leaned in to whisper. “You look captivating by the way.”
“You look less stern and more like a hot mafia yourself.” A smile broke from her lips, and I found myself oddly amused.
“So you think I’m hot?” I took a moment to remember our time together before things between us went to hell.
“No, I think you’re disgusting.”
I held her hand and pressed it to my lips, causing everyone watching us to gush. We made it to our table, where my father and my sister were waiting.
Before we could take a seat, my father cleared his throat, and the entire garden full of guests went silent.
My father started by greeting the guests in Italian before he spoke in English, for Dani’s sake. “I’d like to welcome everyone who made it here tonight. This is a very special occasion for la mia famiglia, ligio friends, partners, and associates. On behalf of my family, I’d like to introduce my son’s wife, my lovely daughter-in-law, Danielle Leone Siciliano.”
I was glad that my father ditched Dani’s father’s surname to keep his friends from questioning Dani’s real motives.
Applause erupted around us. Everyone looked appeased. The food was served. The dinner began.
“You okay?” I gripped Dani’s thigh under the table to make her relax because she looked so uncomfortable sitting between me and Celestina, even a blind person could see it.
“Yeah.” She gripped her thighs together and looked up at me. “I’m just not comfortable surrounded by a lot of men, let me guess, armed.
“I’m sorry. It can be unsettling if you’re not used to it.” I was so mesmerized by how expressive her eyes were. I reached out, fingers grazing her cheek. Then the chant began from Magnus, making me groan.
Until everyone joined him. “Kiss, kiss, kiss!”
Dani blushed crimson. Her pupils dilated. I didn’t wait a second before she could embarrass me and my family. I held her chin, leaned down, and pressed my lips against hers. It was a sweet gesture, nothing sensual because I’d rather kiss her hard in the bedroom or somewhere more private than in front of everyone.
A sharp intake of her breath was all I needed as she kissed me back.
A small smirk tugged up the corners of my mouth as I pulled back and smiled at our guests. I couldn’t help but feel the thrill of anticipation later tonight. I knew it was farfetched, but a man could dream.
“Grazie,” she told our guests, still blushing.
I just picked up the fork when my phone vibrated. Thankfully, I kept the volume silent. It still caught my father’s attention, though.
He nodded.
I fished it out from my pocket. The screen showed Katie’s name. “Per favore.” I stood up and went inside the house. The call had ended. I redialed Katie, and she picked up right away.
“What took you so long?”
“My father just threw us a dinner.”
“Great, but you might wanna hear this.”
I prepared myself for the bad news, even the worst. “Go on.”