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Was that a hint of amusement in his tone?
I wasn’t sure, but I also wasn’t going to let him get away with unnerving me. Smiling sweetly, I discreetly slipped my hand beneath his suit jacket and pinched him. Hard.
He didn’t pull away or react in any way except to chuckle lightly. A sound like warm whiskey poured over ice—both able to warm my belly in strange, alluring ways.
“Conner, it’s time you introduce me to your lovely bride-to-be.” An older man joined us with a smile and blue-gray eyes so sharp I felt they could stab into the darkest parts of me and unearth my every secret.
“Of course, Jimmy. This beauty is Noemi Mancini.” Conner looked at me. “Noemi, this is Jimmy Byrne, my uncle and godfather.”
Ah, the infamous head of the Irish mob. It was no wonder he’d elevated himself to a position of such respect. With such keen intelligence brimming in his eyes, I wondered if anything escaped him.
I smiled and bowed my head as it was my only means of communicating the proper display of respect.
He leaned in and kissed one cheek, then the other. “It’s an honor, young lady.” He pulled back and motioned to the silver-haired woman behind him. “And this is my lovely wife, Brenna.”
I shook her hand and smiled softly at her kind but wary eyes.
“My turn!” sang another woman with giddy excitement as she wheedled her way closer. “I’m sorry, Jimmy, but I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.”
Jimmy arched an exasperated brow at her, but she ignored him as only a wife or sibling could have done. This had to be Conner’s mother, the three Byrne brother’s little sister.
“Noemi, it’s an absolute pleasure.” The beautiful older woman clasped my hand. “I’m Mirren Reid, Conner’s mother. And this is my husband, Seamus.” She motioned behind her to an austere man who nodded a demure greeting.
I forced a wide grin, hoping to ingratiate myself to these people who would be my new family.
“Don’t worry about saying a thing. Conner explained everything. We’re just so delighted to see him settling down and to have you become a part of the family.” Surprisingly enough, I got the sense she was being sincere. A glance at her husband told me he wasn’t quite so enthusiastic about the situation, but he thankfully remained silent.
“All right, Ma. No need to smother her just yet,” Conner said with a touch of good-humored annoyance. “Let’s get seated.”
“Of course. There’ll be plenty of time to get to know one another soon enough,” she beamed and retreated to her place at the long table.
Sixteen places—eleven occupied by my Italian contingency, leaving five for Conner and his four guests. Somewhat lopsided but only because Aunt Etta had brought Pip and her other children. I was glad she had. I needed their familiarity while sailing this uncharted course.
Conner directed me to our places at the center of the table, and we all settled into our seats. My father and Jimmy sat next to each other across from us, Umberto beside Dad and Jimmy’s wife seated next to him. Pip had ensured she sat on my other side, which I appreciated, but with Conner’s close presence a constant distraction, it was all I could do to focus on anything anyone said. Fortunately, I wasn’t faced with many attempts to engage me outside of those seated in the immediate vicinity. And for the most part, conversation carried on without any contribution from me. No sweat off my back. I was pleased to use the opportunity to take a breather and escape to the bathroom.
The second I stood, Umberto followed suit. Our sudden movements hooked everyone’s attention, and all conversations ceased.
“The restroom, sweetheart?” my father asked with a manufactured sweetness that made me want to vomit.
I nodded, taking my clutch purse from the table.
Conner rose to his feet. What had been a simple bathroom trip suddenly felt like a scene, and I wished I’d kept my ass in my seat.
“I’m happy to escort her,” Conner offered, eyeing Umberto.
I wasn’t his yet. It wasn’t his place to intervene, which sent a flash flood of panic racing through my veins. My eyes cut back to my father, afraid of his response. But to my relief, he forced a stiff but gracious smile.
“Of course, I’m afraid I’ve been a touch overprotective in recent months. I’m sure you can understand, considering the circumstances. I’ve already lost one precious member of my family; I couldn’t stand to lose another.” His eyes slid briefly back to mine, ensuring I’d caught his oh-so-subtle threat.
I dropped my gaze so no one could see the hatred brimming in my eyes and stepped away from the table. I had more immediate concerns to worry about than my asshole of a father. I’d spent days mentally preparing to hold my own against Conner’s charms, and he’d already made me blush with a single look. I had to be strong because each step I took carried me farther from the safety of witnesses. The restroom was on the basement level. When we reached the bottom of those stairs, we’d be totally alone.
Conner’s armshot forward in front of the bathroom door, a steel bar preventing my escape.
This was precisely what I’d feared. I knew he’d never let the opportunity pass without exerting his dominance to make me squirm.
I’d never felt the kind of heat he roused inside me. It licked beneath my skin until a river of tingles erupted in my veins. I’d had crushes before, but this was different. Visceral. Indominable. No matter how much I wanted to remain unaffected, it was impossible. My body responded to him as though it were already his to command.
Your body and mind aren’t the same. You have to remember your goal, Em.
