AllFreeNovel
Share Us
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 ofThe 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.
