Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden)

Chapter 27 Brooklyn

My eyes widen. Of course what is about to happen is the whole point of this evening, but now that it's about to happen?

I'm terrified.

Not only am I about to meet my biological father for the first time, but I'm also about to meet the Alpha with the most powerful reputation of all.

I never could have imagined being in this position. Never could have imagined what my life has become, and I'm overcome with too many emotions to name.

I'm now engaged to a man in love with another man.

On one side of me stands the most ruthless, dangerous mafia king in Grayling City-an Alpha in his own right.

And on the other side of me figuratively-is my father and the status that comes with him.

Aden clenches his jaw again as he observes the emotions playing across my face, narrowing his eyes on me.

"Chin up, little one," he says, his voice steady, giving me strength. "Meet him with pride. Show him the she-wolf you are. You've got more fight in you than you realize."

I swallow and nod, trying to be the version of myself that Aden apparently sees.

But inside I'm trembling.

Hudson walks back over to me with a fresh glass of champagne, his steps slowing and his face growing worried when he sees who I'm talking to. When Aden catches sight of his son, he nods, removes his hand from my lower back, and takes a step away.

"Good, there you are." Aden beckons Hudson closer.

As Hudson hands a fresh glass of champagne to me, his father reaches into his suit jacket pocket and holds out a black velvet box. Frowning with confusion, Hudson takes it, his face falling slack as he sees what's inside.

My own jaw drops when I see the size of the diamond sitting on the little velvet pillow. At least ten carats, emerald cut, set in an art deco style.

"It would be appropriate," Aden says, his voice commanding, "for Brooklyn to wear your family's ring tonight, since you are engaged."

"Dad," Hudson says, looking up at him. "This was Mom's ring..."

Aden nods sharply. This is not a discussion, and it's also not a suggestion.

Hudson sighs and lifts the ring from the box. He looks at me and cocks his head to the side, his expression unreadable.

My fingers shaking a little, I raise my hand. As Hudson takes it and starts to slip the ring onto my finger, I try to keep the thoughts from swirling around my head.

Some part of me thought there would still be more time. But by putting on this ring, I am agreeing to the engagement once and for all.

But engagements can be broken, can't they?

When it comes down to it, will Hudson even follow through? Or will his fear of what others think prevail, and he'll do whatever his father says?

My thoughts are interrupted, though, by the feeling of the ring sticking at my second knuckle.

Hudson pushes harder, but it won't budge.

"Um, Dad," Hudson says, looking between us. "I think it's too small."

I bite my lip, embarrassed. I guess Hudson's mom had slimmer fingers than me.

Hudson tries to wiggle the ring onto my finger, and Lena growls a warning inside me. Back off.

Aden glares at Hudson and then nudges him aside, taking my hand in his own. Deftly, he angles the ring

so that it slips over the knuckle, and then pushes down. I look up into his eyes as the ring slides home to the base of my finger.

Time seems to stop, and I can't tell if it's been ten seconds or ten minutes. I hold my breath, my cold hand in his warm one, the weight of his ring on my finger.

Lena has stopped growling, resting her head, satisfied.

Aden stares back at me, his lips slightly parted, revealing clenched teeth.

"Thanks, Dad," Hudson says, his tone loaded, breaking the tension as he takes my hand out of his father's grip, holding it gently in his own. He gives his dad a weird look and then turns his attention to the ring.

"It looks good on you, Brooklyn," Hudson says, looking me in the face and smiling. He's trying so hard to make all of this okay, it both warms my heart and breaks it. Around us, people are watching, their faces so curious it borders on desperation.

I hesitate, trying to smile back, and then focusing on the ring. This incredible, sparkling rock on my finger. It's half ring, half weapon.

It's beautiful, but...

Before I can consider the meaning of the ring any further, the room goes quiet, the band dying off as everyone stops dancing and turns towards the door.

A man has just appeared in the large doorway, a woman in a slinky grey dress only a few steps behind. Following her are at least four guards, probably more, though I can't see any further behind them to count. He's a tall man-as tall as Aden, but older. He's still obviously an Alpha, though. Lean and strong, if a little weathered. He has a certain power as he begins to cross the room towards us, surveying the crowd as he goes. The woman he came with moves away to the bar.

I hold my breath as the Alpha walks toward us, his eyes sweeping over me from head to foot.

I open my mouth to greet him but am shocked into silence when he doesn't acknowledge me at all. Instead, he turns to Aden and puts out a hand.