Bringing Two Families Together
957 Words
We were starting to attract attention.
The room full of mafiosos and their dutiful wives didn’t approve of public affection, especially not the kind I’d shown by hugging my father earlier.
Judging by the whispers and disapproving looks aimed my way, I’d already given them plenty to talk about.
“I’m going to deal with him,” Dad said, his voice low and steady, the kind of tone that sent chills down most people’s spines.
“And do what?” I asked, a tired edge creeping into my voice.
“Force him to stand next to me and pretend we like each other? Why bother? We have nothing to say to each other.
I don’t fit in here.”
“You fit anywhere you want to be,” Dad said firmly, his tone softening a bit.
“No, I don’t.” I glanced toward the women gathered in their own little circle, sipping wine and casting glances my way.
“You didn’t raise me to be like… this.”
“Alex,” he started, but I held up a hand to stop him.
“Please, don’t. I don’t need my dad fighting my battles with my husband.”
Even calling Nikolai my husband felt foreign, like the word didn’t belong in my mouth.
“I didn’t want this for you,” Dad said, his gaze softening for a brief moment.
“You arranged this,” I said, my voice flat. “How could you not want it?”
We both knew the truth. Nikolai and I were strangers before this marriage—two people from opposite ends of my father’s carefully protected world.
The first time I met him was at the altar.
There had been opportunities to meet before, but Nikolai had always been “too busy.”
Even when I refused to take that humiliating virginity test, he hadn’t been there. His father had.
“Bringing our families together was necessary,” Dad said, the words more for himself than for me.
“But I never wanted you to be miserable. I can fix this.”
“There’s nothing to fix,” I said quickly.
“We’re just… strangers, trying to figure it out.”
I forced a smile, knowing it wouldn’t fool him.
Dad had always said I was a terrible liar. He wasn’t wrong.
His jaw tightened as he glanced toward Nikolai, who had finally looked my way.
The expression on his face was unreadable, though I imagined he was irritated.
He always seemed irritated when I wasn’t perfectly invisible.
“You promise not to make waves?” I asked quietly.
“I promise not to meddle,” he said, his tone measured, “but if he does anything—anything at all—or if you’re scared, you come to me.
Promise me.”
“Promise,” I murmured, though Nikolai didn’t scare me.
Not really.
Sure, his anger could be sharp, and he’d told me to get lost more than once when I unknowingly walked into the aftermath of one of his bad moods, but I knew it wasn’t about me.
Dad pulled me in for another hug. More whispers. More stares. What kind of family was this?
“Mr. Smith,” came a familiar voice, smooth and calculated. Lucas Greco.
I pulled back, creating some distance as the two men shook hands.
Nikolai chose that moment to approach, his presence as cold and chilling as ever.
I stayed quiet, perfectly still.
Lucas glanced at me, his disapproval clear. He’d never forgiven me for refusing that stupid virginity test.
To him, I was untrustworthy—a hussy, or whatever old-school insult he preferred.
“It’s a nice gathering,” Dad said smoothly, keeping the tension at bay.
“How could I turn down a personal invite from you?” His gaze flicked to Nikolai.
Nikolai didn’t respond.
I felt my father’s eyes on me, noting the distance I kept from my so-called husband.
The silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable. It was my fault, as usual.
“I think I’ll get some air,” I said abruptly. “Lovely party.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out, needing space.
My heels clicked against the polished floors as I made my way to the main corridor, finally finding refuge on the staircase.
I sank onto a step, letting out a long, shaky breath.
These events drained me. The people. The looks. The constant reminder that I didn’t belong.
“Not one for the crowds?” a voice said.
I looked up to see Antonio Testa, Nikolai’s best friend.
The best man at our wedding.
“No,” I said simply. “You?”
He chuckled, leaning casually against the banister. “Needed a breather.
Too many women talking at once.”
He motioned toward the space beside me.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Go ahead.”
As he sat, I shifted slightly, giving him room.
“You look nice tonight,” he said, his voice smooth, too casual.
“Thanks.”
Antonio was Nikolai’s friend, not mine.
Trusting him wasn’t an option.
“I know Nikolai can be difficult,” he said after a moment.
“But give him a chance. He’s under a lot of pressure.”
I turned to him, forcing a polite smile.d “I’m sure he is.”
This was a dead-end conversation.
I wasn’t about to discuss my husband with his best friend.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
“Positive,” I replied, standing up. “Maybe you should head back in.
Wouldn’t want to keep you from anything important.”
His smile faltered, but I didn’t care. Antonio wasn’t the company I needed tonight—or ever.
- Writer
