Luca

22 - Family dinner

Sofia

I woke the next morning with the scent of strawberries still clinging to my fingers.

It didn’t feel real — the lights in the olive trees, the fireflies, the way Luca had looked at me like I was something worth protecting. I’d never had a night like that. I didn’t know men like him existed. It was magical, and it meant everything to me.

I couldn’t stop going on about it! Lorna laughed at me and said that she was glad I’d had a good time. I was so happy that I couldn’t stop dancing around my room!

But tonight, it will be different.

Tonight isn’t about magic or quiet moments or soft promises.

Tonight is about the family.

The Vidal family. Well, Vidal’s, Vitali’s, Anderson’s, and Marshall’s. However, they’re all related to the Don in one way or another.

I stand in front of the mirror, smoothing the pale blue dress Lorna had laid out for me. It’s simple, modest, and soft against my skin — nothing like the tight, glittering dresses my father used to force me into when he wanted to show me off like a prize he hated owning.

This dress feels like something I chose, even though I didn’t.

My hands tremble as I pin my hair back. I’ve never attended a dinner this large. I’ve never been in a room with so many powerful people. And I’ve never been the center of attention for anything good.

God, I’m so nervous that I’m trying not to throw up!

I really don’t want to make a bad impression on Luca’s family.

But what if they don’t like me?

What if his cousins, like his brother, want to hurt me?

Luca told me last night that his uncle and cousins belong to the motorcycle club Snake Henchmen. I’ve heard of them. I don’t think there are many who haven’t. Luca said they didn’t hurt the innocent, but thanks to my father’s reputation, I doubt anyone sees me as innocent.

A soft knock sounds at the door.

Lorna peeks in. “You look lovely, sweetheart.”

I nod, though my stomach twists. “I’m nervous.”

“Of course you are,” she says gently. “Anyone would be. But Luca and I will be with you.”

That helps—more than it should.

Lorna is attending dinner because Marnie asked her to. Marnie knows that I see Lorna as my mother, and she wants to include Lorna. That was so nice of Marnie.

I follow Lorna down the hallway, each step heavier than the last. Voices drift from the dining hall — laughter, clinking glasses, the low rumble of men who are used to being obeyed. God, we’re late!

When we enter the room, everyone falls quiet.

Dozens of eyes turn toward me.

I freeze like a deer caught in headlights.

Luca stands from his seat immediately, his expression softening when he sees my face. He crosses the room in a few strides and offers his hand.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t realize I’d be this late.”

Luca smiles at me. “You’re not late. Everyone just arrived.”

“I know, but I should have been here. I’m sorry.”

“You’re okay,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and place my hand in his. He guides me to the long table, seating me between himself and Lorna.

“Everyone,” all eyes turn to Luca. “I’d like to introduce you to my fiancé. This is Sofia.”

“H-Hi.” I stammer.

“It’s nice to meet you, Sofia,” Willow says. I recognize her from the photographs Marnie showed me.

The room slowly comes back to life.

But the eyes don’t stop.

I’ve heard their names before, seen their pictures, but seeing them all together is overwhelming.

Hammer — the Don’s brother — is sitting at the far end, broad-shouldered and intimidating, though his wife Willow softens him with her warm smile. Their children are scattered around them: Strom, Cobra, Hilly, and Dragon. Dragon’s wife, Kyla, bounces their toddler, CJ, on her knee while their ten-year-old daughter, Greer, whispers something that makes her mother laugh.

Maria, the Don’s younger sister, is sitting with her husband, Jett, a biker President whose tattoos peek out from beneath his collar. Their children, Jessie, Aya, and Rabid, are loud, confident, and comfortable in a way I’ve never been allowed to be.

Avery and Ghost are sitting near the middle, their sons Razor and Vinny arguing playfully over a bread roll.

Tank and Nova are beside them, with their children Eagle and Ember — Ember’s husband, Marco, leaning in to whisper something that makes her blush.

Seriously, being in the presence of two famous singers is crazy! I love their music, but I don’t want to sound like a silly fangirl, so I say nothing. However, I’ll admit that I am a little awestruck right now, being in a room with the lead singers of Dun’s Dungeon!

How many famous singers do regular people have dinner with?

That’s right. None! Unless you know them, of course.

Brooke and her husband Hawk are sitting beside Marnie. Their children, Wolf and DJ, are chatting with Rabid.

Then there’s the Don himself, seated at the head of the table with Marnie beside him. Luca and Dray are sitting closest to them, identical in every way except the way they look at me. Luca’s gaze is warm. Dray’s is unreadable. I know Dray hates me, but he’s not even trying to hide it in front of these people.

Lydia and Toby wrangle their two small sons, while Amber waves at me with a bright smile that eases some of my tension. God, she’s so sweet!

It’s a full house.

A powerful house.

A dangerous house.

And I’m marrying into it.

God help me.

“So, Sofia,” Willow says kindly. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

I force a smile. “All good things, I hope.”

Hammer chuckles. “Depends who you ask.”

Luca shoots him a warning look.

I bite the inside of my cheek.

Why would these people have heard good things about me?

My father is a monster, and Dray hates the sight of me. He’s probably told everyone here that I’m just like Papa.

Maria leans forward. “We’re excited for the wedding. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a big family celebration.”

My throat tightens. “I’m sure it will be beautiful.”

“You’ll have plenty of help planning it,” Kyla says. “We’ll all pitch in.”

I nod, though the words sting.

Planning it.

As if I’d have any say.

Luca must have sensed the shift in me because he brushes his hand against my knee under the table — a small, grounding touch.

“What colors are you thinking?” Lydia asks brightly.

I open my mouth, then close it. “I… don’t know.”

Tank smirks. “She’s shy.”

Luca’s jaw tightens. “She’s thoughtful.”

The table is quiet for a moment.

Then Avery smiles at me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. First dinners are always overwhelming.”

I let out a shaky breath. “A little.”

“A little?” Greer pipes up. “There’s like a million of us.”

Everyone laughs — even me.

The tension eases, but only slightly.

As the meal, which tastes and looks like it came from the world’s best restaurant, goes on, I stay mostly silent. Not because I don’t want to speak, but because I don’t know what I’m allowed to say. I watch the family interact — loud, chaotic, affectionate in ways I’ve never seen.

Hammer teases Cobra about his haircut.

Nova scolds Eagle for flicking peas at Vinny.

Amber tells Marnie she likes her earrings.

Greer asks me if I like puppies.

CJ throws mashed potatoes at Dragon.

It’s messy.

It’s loud.

It’s alive.

Nothing like the cold, violent house I’d grown up in.

Luca leans toward me. “You doing okay?”

I nod. “Just… taking it all in.”

“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to,” he says softly. “Just being here is enough.”

My chest warms. “Thank you.”

He smiles, warm, private, meant only for me.

Luca makes my heart bang. He makes me believe that this marriage could be a good one.

“So,” the Don says, raising his glass. “To the future, Mr. and Mrs. Vidal.”

Everyone cheers.

I smile politely, though my stomach twists. The women might be smiling, but I can see the looks in the men’s eyes. They don’t agree with this wedding, and I have a bad feeling that it won’t be long before they voice it for the whole room to hear.

They wouldn’t be that disrespectful, right?

“What kind of dress do you want?” Willow asks.

“What flowers?” Maria adds.

“What venue?” Kyla chimes in.

“What food?” Lydia asks.

“What music?” Ember joins.

“What theme?” Aya says.

“What colors?” Hilly asks.

“What—”

“I…” I swallow, cutting Jessie off. I didn’t mean to, but all the questions are crushing my brain! “I’m not sure.”

Dray leans back in his chair, eyes sharp. “She doesn’t care. She knows her place.”

The words hit like a slap.