Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I find myself searching for the man himself; I haven’t seen him since Adrian and I got here. He wouldn’t possibly miss this gathering since it is basically in his honor.
Even though it’s been a week, I still don’t know how to deal with the knowledge that my father is a Don. That this is some sort of a screwed-up version of The Godfather.
Adrian was furious when he learned that I promised to have a father-daughter relationship with Lazlo in exchange for saving him. But it was bound to happen sooner or later. No secret can be buried forever, and that includes my ties with the Luciano family.
Though, I have no clue how to deal with such ties. If Adrian hadn’t been disapproving of everything I’ve done since I left Russia, he would’ve been the one to help me brainstorm.
“Carina.”
I swallow my piece of lobster at Lazlo’s distinctive voice as I turn around to face him.
He smiles at me, the wrinkles around his eyes hinting at the many years he’s spent on Earth, probably ruining the lives of people like my own husband.
My father takes my hand and kisses the back of it with clear affection that paints a smile on my lips.
“Hi,” I greet. “How are you?”
“Not good. I learn that I have a daughter and yet she doesn’t seem to want to talk to me.”
“That’s not true. It’s just…” I lower my voice, getting closer to him so no one else hears us. “Sergei doesn’t know about you and me, and if he finds out, he won’t forgive Adrian.”
He releases a disapproving sound. “That makes two of us.”
“You promised not to reproach him about that.”
“Of course I will. He’ll answer for hiding you from me.”
“But you promised.”
“This has nothing to do with my promise. I need his explanation of why he married my daughter.”
“I thought you wanted a relationship with me.”
“I do, and that’s why I’m being patient and haven’t made a move.” He takes my hand in his and pats it, the scar on his face not as hideous as I thought, even under so much light. “But I will, Carina. You’re a Luciano and you need to meet your family.”
“What if I’m not ready?”
“Are those your words or Adrian’s?”
“Mine.”
“Then I will wait for you to be ready. And if Adrian gets in the way, I won’t stand still.”
“You’ll really wait?”
“I waited all this time for a child of my own blood. You think I can’t wait some more?”
I smile, genuinely this time. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you for existing, Carina. You made this old man’s life worthwhile. Now, come, let me introduce you to your family.”
“But I thought you’d wait.”
“I am waiting. What does meeting your family have to do with it?” Lazlo leads me forward and introduces me to his wife, brothers, and even their women, as Adrian’s wife. For now, as he whispered in my ear. Unlike what I expected, it’s not awkward and they don’t seem malicious. They’re more curious than anything else.
Nicolo, Lazlo’s brother and the Lucianos’ underboss, observes me intently as I talk about the weather and make small talk. Does he already know?
Lazlo only leaves me when Sergei calls him over. I expect them to go upstairs for their usual meeting, but they don’t. Soon after, Adrian appears from among the other leaders of the brotherhood and strides in my direction.
At first, I think he’s heading to Kolya and Yan, who’ve been watching from the shadows the entire night, but he comes straight to me.
I blink up at him when he stops in front of me. This is one of the few times he’s ever paid attention to me in the midst of the brotherhood’s gatherings. Usually, we walk inside and then he ignores me all night until we have to leave.
Are we going home?
Though I miss Jer and Winter since we spend most of our time together now, we can’t leave. Sergei would consider it an insolence.
Adrian stares at me and remains silent as his darkening gaze wreaks havoc inside me. Everything he does to me is sexual in its delivery. Whether it’s the way he looks at me or how he follows my every more. Even his voice has a special range that he only uses when talking to me. He doesn’t have to touch me to please me. Just being there is enough.
I expect him to usher me out, but he offers me his hand. “Dance with me.”
I’m speechless for a second, my gaze flitting from his hand to his face. “W-what?”
“May I have this dance, Mrs. Volkov?”
I stare at the floor and realize Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto is playing. A few couples are dancing, including Rai and Kyle.
“You really want to dance?” I whisper so no one hears.
“Why else would I ask you?”
“But everyone is here.”
“Exactly.” He smiles, motioning at his hand.