“You are not alone in this. Whatever comes next, I am with you. Always.” He kisses my cheek. “Now. Shoulders back. Chin up. Show them what a DiMicheli boss looks like.”
I take a breath. Square my shoulders. “Yes, Zio.”
He smiles and moves on to greet someone else.
One of the Molloy brothers approaches. The one who nodded at me during the ceremony. Up close, I can see the resemblance to Lochlan, same dark hair, same jaw, but his eyes are warmer. Less guarded.
“I don’t think we’ve officially met.” He extends his hand. “I’m Cillian. Lochlan’s brother. The handsome one.”
Despite everything, my lips curl upward. “Is that so?”
“Don’t tell him I said that. His ego’s fragile enough.” He shakes my hand, his grip firm but friendly. “Welcome to the family. Sorry about… well. Everything.”
“That seems to be the theme today.”
“Yeah, my family is clearly not great at first impressions.” He takes a sip of his drink. “For what it’s worth, Loch’s a good guy. He didn’t want this any more than you did. But he’ll do right by you. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”
“You’re sure about that?”
“I’ve known him my whole life. He can be a real stubborn ass, and he’s shit at talking about his feelings. But he’s loyal and protective.” Cillian shrugs. “He won’t make this harder than it has to be.”
“That’s… something, I guess.” Absently, I scan the room until my eyes lock on my new husband standing with a group of men. His lips curve into a smile, making his eyes crinkle in the corners. Then he adjusts his gaze until it lands on me, the smile still spread across his face.
And that damn fluttery feeling is back in full force.
“It’s the best I can offer.” Cillian raises his glass. “Good luck, Adriana. You’re gonna need it.”
A few minutes later, another brother appears. This one is younger. I furrow my brows at the yellowish bruise across his cheekbone.
“Hi, I’m Gavin. The youngest Molloy.” He sticks out his hand. “Congrats. I think.”
Cillian chuckles and I grin, despite myself. “I guess time will tell.”
“Yeah. This whole thing is insane. You know that, right?”
“I’m aware.”
“Just checking.” His eyes flick toward Eamon across the room, then back to me. “Look, I don’t know you. You don’t know me. But I’ll give you one piece of advice for free. Don’t trust my father. Whatever he says, whatever he promises. Just… don’t.”
“And what about Lochlan?”
“Loch’s different. In every way.” He says it simply. Like a fact. “That’s all I’ve got.”
The brothers exchange a look. Then Gavin drifts toward the bar and Cillian follows with a half-wave at me.
I rest one elbow on the bar and lean forward to take another glass of champagne from the bartender.
“Must be nice for him.”
I jump at the intruding voice, almost dropping the crystal flute. Whipping around, my stomach clenches when I see Ronan grimacing into his drink. His voice is low and bitter.
His cold stare ices my blood. “Abandons the family. Builds his little business. And still ends up with the prize,” he growls.
“I’m not a prize, thank you very much,” I say.
“No?” He tilts his head. “Then what are you?”
“Someone you don’t want to underestimate.”
