Page 73 of Forced Union

Over lunch at a nearby Thai restaurant our conversation flows from upcoming events, to Sophia’s college life, to Gin almost getting caught stealing one of the auntie’s scarves. I’m not surprised since those old women have hawk eyes.

As we’re about to finish our meal, Ravenna leans in. “Do you know that man? He’s been staring at you for the last ten minutes.”

I follow her gaze to a tall, dark-haired man in a corner booth. Grey streaks his styled hair and short beard. Our gazes collide and my heartbeat pounds against my ribcage. There’s something familiar about him, but I can’t place what exactly. Apart from the familiarity, I swear I’ve never seen him before.

“No, I don’t know him.” I pull out my phone and text our security team, just in case.

When I glance back up the man is gone.

CHAPTER 33

Dimitri

My insides are tied up in knots as we walk up to the Pontrelli’s front door. For the first time, I have to face all of my in-laws. On Christmas Eve. Without a brigade of my men as back up. Even Maks isn’t here because he’s with his boyfriend, Liam. Apparently they worked out their issues.

Color me surprised as fuck when Maks said Blake Baron was completely cool with them dating. I call bullshit. Baron doesn’t have a cool bone in his body. So either they haven’t told him and they’re hiding their relationship from him—which is a bad idea because that fucker has spies everywhere—or Baron is lying.

My bet’s on Baron being a fucking liar. There’s no way in hell he’s fine with his baby brother in bed with my right-hand man.

Which means Baron is up to something. I just need to figure out what.

But that’s a worry for another night. Right now I have to survive Christmas Eve dinner with my in-laws—who loathe me.

Arianna squeezes my hand. “It’ll be fine. Trust me.”

I give her a tight smile.

Then the door opens and Mr. Pontrelli stares me down like I’m dog shit on the bottom of his shoe. Disgusted, and he can’t wait to wipe me off. Maybe threatening his daughter’s life, no matter how empty those threats were, wasn’t the best idea in hindsight.

He lets us in, but only after Arianna pushes past him. “Papa,” she chides his quietly aggressive behavior.

“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for this swine.” He looks me up and down.

“I like him well enough,” she says.

My gaze flies to Arianna. Coming from her that’s practically a declaration of love. The corners of her mouth tip up. She certainly doesn’t look abused, or in any way mistreated. If anything, there’s a lightness about her that’s new. She seems happy.

Her father grumbles as he leads us further into the house. I experience a moment of sympathy when I put myself in his shoes. If any man kidnapped and forced my daughter into marriage I’d fucking chop his dick off and gladly watch as he slowly bled out.

With that uncomfortable thought, I discreetly pat my cock. Maybe I should have worn armor.

We enter the living room and I’m greeted by a shriek. Ginevra, the youngest Pontrelli sister, throws her arms around me in a bear hug. I stiffen, unsure of what to do. This is not the welcome I expected from a family who despises my very existence.

“It’s so nice to meet you!” She eases back with a big smile, and a devious glint in her light brown eyes.

“Gin, what are you doing?” Horror’s written all over Arianna’s face.

“Just welcoming him to the family.” She smirks and turns away.

I watch her stroll across the room, my instincts telling me I’ve been scammed. But… I reach for my wallet, coming up empty-handed. Searching the rest of my pockets, I realize I’ve been pickpocketed. By Arianna’s baby sister. Well, shit, I didn’t see that coming.

Picking up on what just happened, Arianna glares at her sister. “Gin, give it back.”

“Give what back?” She’s the picture of innocence, blond curls framing her large eyes.

“His wallet,” my wife grits out.

“Oh, you mean this one?” My wallet appears in her hand. Given that she’s wearing a skin-tight dress, I’m not sure where she was concealing it. Having been a fucking thief and pickpocket when I was a child, I’m actually impressed by her skill. Not that I’d ever tell her that. She seems like enough of a hellion without any further encouragement.

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