Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad
Chapter 233

Daniel and Gio continue to chatter as we make our way up to the third floor, but Daniel turns to me as our pace slows and we approach a set of brown arched doors. Gio likewise grows quiet, his whole demeanor changing in an instant from an eager young man greeting a favorite cousin to the eldest son of a mafia family.

Gio looks us over as Daniel takes my hand, though I note that his focus is almost entirely on Daniel now, as if Daniel is in charge and I'm just tagging along as a formality. I smirk a little, but I don't do anything to change this perception. At least, not for now. "Are you ready?" Gio asks, switching to English. And Daniel and I nod as one, turning towards the doors as Gio swings them open.

I do my best not to gaze around the beautiful lounge before us like a simpleton, though I have to admit that the temptation is strong. It's a beautiful room, with all dark wood and plush, expensive furniture. The curtains are looped heavily over the windows, blocking out the majority of the bright Italian sun, and as Gio waves us forward to a sitting area I note that there is a small fire burning cheerfully in the hearth, even though it is not a cold day.

Seated before the fire in a tall wing-backed chair is an old man, his sharp eyes already on us as we cross the room towards him.

Though my natural temptation to blush and look down at my feet rises in me, another eagerness overtakes it - and I realize that though this is perhaps the most intimidating man I'll ever meet, I'm excited to face him. I've been planning this for a long time. So, I keep my eyes on him and I don't flinch or blink.

And though his eyes go to Daniel first, carefully looking his grandson over from head to foot, when his gaze moves to me? His eyebrows raise a little in surprise.

And then the corners of his mouth turn up into a very small smile.

Gio moves to stand in the corner of the room behind his grandfather's chair as Daniel and I cross the room. But I admit that I forget all about Gio as Daniel and I move closer to Don Bianci, because I'm blinking with surprise when Daniel actually goes to one knee before the older man, taking his grandfather's hand and pressing his lips to the Don's knuckles. Don Bianci only lets the kiss last a moment before he pulls his hand away and runs it fondly over Daniel's hair, murmuring something affectionate in Italian. Daniel raises his head and smiles at his grandfather then, getting to his feet and leaning forward to kiss the old man on both cheeks, murmuring his own reply that I don't understand.

Don Bianci laughs a little at whatever Daniel says, just a short huffing sound, and then pats Daniel on the cheek before he stands straight.

Daniel moves back to my side as Don Bianci holds a hand out to me, palm up. For a second I panic a little, wondering if I'm supposed to go to one knee -

But no. Somehow, it just...wouldn't feel right. So instead, I simply take a step forward and slip my hand into his. The Don looks me over then, his smile deepening a little bit.

"So," he says, his English lightly accented. "You are my grandson's bride. It is a pleasure to meet you, Fay Alden."

"And you, Don Bianci," I say, lowering my head a little in a kind of bow. But somehow, with this man? It doesn't feel foolish. He tightens his fingers, inviting me further forward, and I bend over, kissing him once on either cheek. When I straighten, he lets my fingers go and I step back to Daniel's side.

The Don settles back into his chair, looking between us, letting silence reign in the room, clearly letting us be uncomfortable if that's what we're feeling. Because this is his room, and we're on his time now. This man - he wears his power comfortably, letting it settle over his shoulders, completely undisturbed by it.

And I take a deep breath feeling contentment settle within me, because honestly? That's exactly how Kent wears his. This man might not know it, but he doesn't scare me. My months at Kent's side have prepared me to deal with men just like this. Daniel - he grew up fearing men like Don Bianci, like Kent, like my father.

But me?

I've found my way to loving one and murdering another.

And as I realize that, any fear and tension that linger in me drop away. Don Bianci's eyes watch me as I take a deep breath and settle my shoulders. And then he smiles, and laughs a little, and his words are directed only at me as he speaks.

"So," he says, folding his hands neatly in his lap. "What is it that you have come to ask me for today?""Nonno," Daniel says, stepping forward and trying - I think - to draw the Don's eyes back to him. "We have only come to -"

But Don Bianci silences him simply by raising his hand, smirking as he keeps his eyes on me, his every action saying I wasn't speaking to you, grandson.

And a little smile lifts my own lips now, because I see that he sees right through any façade that fooled Daniel's family in the kitchen, any suggestion that Daniel's the one in charge and I'm just his shy little wife.

The Don settles his hands back in his lap and he raises his eyebrow at me, inviting me to speak. I open my mouth, ready to begin, but suddenly the door opens again.

Daniel and I turn and I my brows raise in surprise to see Natalia come into the room.

Don Bianci peers around us, and when I look back at him I'm a little pleased to see a frown on his face. "What are you doing here?" he asks Natalia, speaking in English so I can understand.

Natalia's face is simpering as she hurries to his side. "I thought that I could help," she says, dropping a kiss to the Don's cheek as she arrives at his side. Then she straightens next to him. "As Alessi's second, and as someone who knows these two...very well," she says, a slow smile on her face, "I thought that I would be an asset at this meeting."

I press my lips to a thin line, but I don't say anything as Daniel murmurs his greetings to Natalia. Before he can finish, though, Don Bianci takes a deep breath and interrupts.

"This is all very nice," Bianci says, his eyes again returning to me, though they occasionally flash to Daniel, wanting to see his reaction as well. "The reunions, and the meeting of family. But I have reason to believe," he says slowly, "that this meeting has a great deal more to do with business than my family below would understand."

"What makes you say that, nonno?" Daniel says cooly, sliding his hands into his pockets. I keep my face impassive.

"I am not a fool, Daniele," Bianci says, his voice razor sharp. "It is not a coincidence that my connection to the Alden family goes dark, and then two weeks later you show up at my doorstep with an Alden bride." Daniel frowns. "We were married months before -"

"Enough," Bianci snaps, not willing to be lied to or diverted. "Tell me the truth. Now. Everything."

"We'd be happy to," I say quietly, not letting myself flinch as all the eyes in the room move to me. And then, my eyes ice, I shift them to glare at Natalia. "But not with her here."

There's silence for a moment as Natalia's eyes flash at the challenge. Don Bianci chuckles a little and I shift my gaze back to him.

"She is an important member of my staff, Fay Alden," the Don says softly, a smile playing on his lips, though it doesn't pass my attention that he doesn't call me by my married name. "Why should I send her away?"

I don't say anything for a long moment, simply returning my gaze to Natalia and letting the silence hang between us. I let a taunting smile find my own lips.

And Natalia, as I knew she would, rises to my bait.

"You little," she growls, leaning forward towards me, "what reason could you possibly have to request that I -"

"Because," I snap, my voice loud and sharp in the room, like a flash of lightening. Natalia's eyes fly a little wide at the force of me as I lean incrementally towards her, baring my teeth. I say my next words with perfect clarity and calm. "It does not please me to have you here, Natalia. Which is enough."

And with one final glare, I shift my gaze back to Don Bianci, dismissing her.

Slowly, Don Bianci smiles, deeply satisfied.

He raises one hand, waving it casually. "Go, Natalia," he murmurs, dismissing her as well, his eyes on mine.

Natalia looks down at him in shock, sputtering something in Italian.

The Don's face falls in a second as he snaps a single word and she goes pale as she steps away from him. Natalia's lips peel back from her teeth as she glares one final time at me, but I barely see it as she storms towards the door and leaves the room, because I keep my eyes on the one man who matters.

Don Bianci. Who has, I'm happy to see, realized that I'm the one in charge on this side of the table.

Not Natalia. Not his grandson. Me.

"All right, Fay Alden," Bianci says, smiling at me again. "Where do we begin?"