Chapter 229

As I do, Kent turns to glare at me, for just a moment, his expression clearly communicating you’re going to pay for that.

I just blink up at him for a second, my fierce eyes saying I’d better.

And then I turn back to Daniel, smiling at him and joining in on the laughter even though I have no idea what was just said.

___________________ When desert comes, we’re all stuffed. Too stuffed, really, to do justice to the incredible apple tart that’s placed in front of us and served family-style with cinnamon ice cream. We each take a few bites but concentrate, instead, on the cups of espresso that are served with the final part of the meal, each of us needing a little perk after so much wine and food.

“That was delicious,” Daniel says, leaning back against his chair and groaning, holding his little espresso cup in his large palm.

“It was,” I agree, smiling at him and then turning my smile politely to Natalia, who hasn’t said a word to me all night. “Thank you so much for organizing this,” I say. “It really was special.”

“Yes,” she says, sighing contentedly and holding my gaze. “I thought you deserved a final treat.”

I go still and feel Daniel and Kent sit up on either side of me, turning their attention to her. Neither say anything though, leaving it to me.

“Pardon?” I ask, cocking my head to the side just an inch and forcing myself to raise my espresso to my mouth, taking a little sip and not letting my hand shudder, not a bit.

Apparently, I think to myself, my first instinct was right. This dinner is about me. Natalia’s just trying to kill two birds with one stone.

“Fay,” Natalia says, glancing at Alessi for support, and I’m shocked to see him sigh as if in resignation. “It has been so wonderful to have a chance to get to know you, my dear. But unfortunately, we as a family have some bad news.”

“What are you talking about, Natalia?” Kent says, doing his best to keep his voice even but failing at keeping the anger and anxiety out of it. I glance at him and see the surprise and suspicion on his face, gratified to see that he, at least, was not in on this.

“Alessi and I have been consulting,” she says, looking at Alessi again, “with each other, as with the family in Italy.” She turns back to Kent then, speaking only to him, as if this is not about me at all. “We have come to a decision,” she says, definitely, “that it is time for the Lippert family to end their association with the Aldens.”

Alessi breaks in here, his voice just as sorry as Natalia’s. “Kent, Fay, Daniel – we are sorry to say it, but we have assessed the atmosphere here, and Alden is the weak link. If you wish to continue receiving the support of the Bianci family,” he continues, looking to Kent now, “then we would oblige you Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father Chapter 0228 to...”

He sighs here, glancing at me a little guilty, as if he’s finally realizing that he’s talking about my father, not some stranger, “we will require that you take Alden out,” he finishes.

My mouth really does drop open now as I realize that Alessi – Daniel’s uncle, this man who has really been kind to me – has just casually ordered that my father be murdered.

Continuing, Alessi breathing out sharply through his nose. “We believe that the best move for the Lippert family is to take over Alden’s industries for yourself. We believe that if you do so, you will re-establish yourself as the power in the Americas, and that the other families will fall in line beneath us.”

“Beneath you, you mean,” Kent growls, and I look up at him, wide-eyed, to see rage on his face.

“Beneath. Us.” Natalia says, quite clear about the inflection. And then she reaches out to place her hand on Kent’s, subtly implying, I think, that she is part of the deal.

And I snap my mouth shut as I realize precisely what just happened.

I’m out.

Natalia’s in.

And this dinner is my final farewell.