“I’m interested to see what you think is personal. Shoot.”
“I know you and Kyle had an arranged marriage, but it seems that you’ve always been equal in your relationship. Is it because of your personality? Or did you do something to get there?”
She runs her gaze over me as if only just now figuring out something. “I know what this is about.”
“You…do?”
“You want to be Adrian’s equal.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Sort of. But hey, Kyle and I go way back, so the dynamics have been different from the get-go and can’t be compared to you and Adrian.”
“But he always makes the decisions and he’s so closed off about it, it hurts sometimes.” My chin trembles. “I know he cares and he proves it with his actions, but whenever I ask something that goes against his agenda, it’s like I’m dealing with a completely different man.”
“That’s because he’s used to having his orders followed and reacts badly to the opposite. He’s a man of power and has been for as long as I’ve known him.”
“Does that mean I have to keep my mouth shut?”
“Hell no.” She frowns as if what I just said is blasphemy. “However, you might have to use unconventional methods.”
“Like…tempt him?”
She smirks. “That would work, too. But think about why Adrian is so smitten with you.”
“He’s smitten with me?”
“He is.”
“Which part?”
“Your softness, Lia. Your finesse, your elegance. He sometimes watches you as if he wants to stab the air for making you cold.”
Flames explode in my cheeks. “No, he doesn’t.”
“Yes, he does. At first, I chalked it up to something insignificant, but ever since I started looking closely, it’s so obvious.”
“Really?”
“Definitely. So you don’t have to resort to any methods to win him over. Just be yourself.” She rubs my arm. “Did I mention how proud I am of you for speaking up lately?”
“Thanks.”
“If Kirill or Damien cause you any trouble, I’ll stab them for you.”
“I’m sure Adrian would beat you to it.”
“He would! Also, I’m sorry about Vlad. He only has the brotherhood’s best interests in mind, but he can be such a mule sometimes.”
Yes, he can. And the only reason Rai would apologize on his behalf is because he’s her lifelong protector and ally. Now that I know he’s been hunting Adrian down with the intent to remove him and even kill him, I’ll never trust him again.
My husband’s enemy is my enemy.
I spend some more time with Rai, but soon after, Kyle comes to fetch her so she can sit down. I wave at them as I head to the buffet for some food, and I nod at some of the members of the Luciano family, like Lazlo’s wife, Sofia, and two of his brothers.
Not sure if he told them about me, but they don’t show a reaction, considering who I am to them.
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.