Chapter 0049

“Rosemary is your aunt,” Kent tells me, accepting the glass of whiskey that the waiter is quick to bring

back. He takes a sip, looking to me, apparently allowing me to continue the conversation.

I open my mouth, wondering what to say, but Rosemary picks it up for me. “We remember you from

when you were a baby, of course,” she says, gushing, waving several people over from a nearby table.

I blink in surprise – but of course, they would have known me. Of course I had biological aunts, and

uncles, and cousins – people who loved me as a child. I just had really never thought of it before.

It seems like I meet hundreds of people that night – the large Italian family I never knew that I had.

Everyone wants to say hello, pressing my hand, telling memories they had of me, welcoming me.

People from Daniel’s side are here too – fewer, of course, but several cousins with the same dark hair

and green eyes. I’m pleased to meet them all, but I admit that I’m surprised that Kent stays at my side

the entire time – sometimes interceding with the answer to a question before I can provide it,

sometimes guiding me towards or away from a certain person with a little tap from his hand on my

lower back.

He doesn’t interfere, quite – but he is a constant presence during the evening.

As we work our way across the floor, I see that we’re heading – ever so subtly – towards my father and

his wife at the front of the room. The children are there – Romulus stands on a chair to wave at me

before his mother tugs him down.

“Um,” I say, hesitating a little. “I think I’d like to…visit the bathroom,” I say, “before I take that on.”

“Of course,” Kent says, turning with me, putting a hand on my back to show me the way.

“Dad,” Daniel says, his face frustrated as he steps in front of us. “I’ll take her,” he says, shaking his

head. “You’ve been kind of hovering all night –“

“Nonsense,” Kent says, frowning at him and nudging me forward. As a trio, we head towards the alcove

with the little restroom sign. Daniel pushes the point further.

“Seriously, dad,” he murmurs, “you can go, I’ll stay by her side – I can handle this -“

“No, you can’t Daniel,” his father snaps, taking an aggressive step towards him, cutting me off in my

path. “You have no idea what the politics are in this room – who it might be dangerous for her to talk to

– who is out for blood, who could be a possible friend.”

Daniel’s face twists, angry. “And whose fault is that, dad?” he asks, his voice hurt and stubborn. “You

never involve me in these conversations, you never –“

“It’s your fault, Daniel,” Kent snarls, Daniel falling silent. “It’s your fault. Before tonight you’ve never

been interested in the family business – always more interested in college, and books, and whatever

the hell it is you do all day. And tonight, because she’s here –“he throws out a hand towards me, “what,

suddenly you know what you’re doing in this world? Suddenly you’re a boss, a Don, in the business?”

Daniel frowns at his father, crossing his arms across his chest, clearly hurt. “I can handle myself,” he

says, still angry but a little cowed. He knows, deep down, that his father has a point.

Kent opens his mouth to speak again but I push past him, eager to get away. “Um, I’m going to go to

the bathroom,” I say, looking over my shoulder at them. “While you two…sort this out.” They ignore me,

turning to continue the argument even in my absence.

When I come out of the bathroom a few minutes later, Kent is still standing there, but Daniel is not.

“Where did he go?” I ask, looking around for him.

“He went to cool off,” Kent murmurs, his arms crossed. I can tell he’s still pissed, but he’s putting on a

controlled front for everyone in the room.

Just then, a waiter at the front of the room rings a gong. I jump and blink a little at the noise, surprised.

What the hell does that mean?

Apparently, everyone else knows, because they start to filter away towards tables. The waiter scurries

over to us, bowing a little. “If you would please, sir, miss,” he says, gesturing towards the head table.

“Just this way.”

Kent nods and we follow him to a long rectangular table with just three seats left. I watch as the waiter

pulls out the furthest chair, gesturing towards it with a smile and looking directly at me.

I glance back at Kent, who gives me a smirk. I narrow my eyes at him a little, knowing that he’s not

going to be of any help.

With that, I sigh, thanking the waiter and sinking into the chair seated directly next to Tristin, my new

wicked stepmother.