Page 49 of Stolen Bride for the Don

Hudson replies with something that makes Dad chuckle, but I can’t hear because I’m telling Mom about the name of the flowers.

“Ohhh, how delightful. Beautiful.” she sighs, pressing her face into them to take a deep inhale.

“Should I have someone put it in the water for you while we eat?” I go to take the flowers from her, but she moves them out of my reach.

“That’s okay, Andrea. I’m sure beautiful as the flowers are, they’re strong enough not to wilt for a few hours.”

Before I can say much else, the door opens behind them and Alex walks in with his girlfriend, Autumn.

“Andrea!” She grins when she sees me, pushing her glasses up her nose. I abandon my parents to go hug her. “The town has been so dull without you there and–” she gasps, catching sight of my ring. Really, no one can miss it for longer than a few seconds. Hudson made sure of that. I toss him a dirty glance, and our eyes snag. He winks at me and I turn around with a huff.

“Oh my,” Autumn breathes, “is that smoldering man your fiancé?” She just giggles.

“Yep, that’s Massimo.”

We don’t get a chance to catch up because the door opens again, and two gruff-looking men walk in. I assume they’re our final guests, the Rossi’s. Sure enough, Massimo introduces them as Dominic and Tomasi Rossi.

The older one, Dominic, gives me a slimy smile. “Lovely to finally meet the Beaufort Princess.”

My spine stiffens as he bends to grab my hand. It’s been so long since anyone addressed me by that name. I’ve worked hard to break free of that yoke. Deliberately, I lift my left hand to him. His eye twitches as he takes in the rock on my finger, but he says nothing as he kisses the back of my hand. I glance at Hudson to catch him watching our interaction with a murderous look in his eyes; his jaw clenches at the sight of this man pressing his mouth to his woman.

“Now that everyone is here, shall we go in to dinner?” Hudson’s hand lands on my lower back. Unconsciously, I turn into him until my shoulder is grazing his chest. He gives me a strained smile and leads me to the ballroom. Thankfully, the Rossis are seated at the far end…well away from us.

The dinner isn’t actually as bad as I thought it would be. The other men try to win me over with their charming personalities; before I know it I’m chuckling while Hudson broods next to me.

At one point he mutters, “They’re not that funny.”

To which I reply, “Lighten up, mon chéri.”

The endearment is only in jest in case anyone happens to overhear us, but his green eyes sizzle. He leans forward as if he would kiss me. Dad suddenly clears his throat, which makes me jump. He’s seated right across from me.

“Now look here, Massimo. I might give my blessing for this marriage, but that’s still my little girl.” He clears his throat again, his eyes suspiciously glinting. Is he going to cry? He clears his throat for the third time and lifts up his wine glass and fork. He clinks it gently, and the room grows quiet.

“I’d like to make a toast. It gives me great happiness that you’ve finally found someone you deem worthy of spending your life with, Andrea. Someone I can see brings a light to your eye and matches for determination and wit, but hopefully not stubbornness.” He smiles at me as the room chuckles and then turns to Hudson. “You look after my little girl, Massimo. I’ll be watching you.” He looks Hudson straight in the eyes.

He continues, “Even though it means you’re not as close as I’d like. I’ve always been proud of you, but tonight I’m especially proud of the strong woman you’ve become. À ma petite fille chérie.” To my darling little girl. He raises his glass up and everyone follows suit.

I sniff and discretely try to pat my eyes. Fuck. What would he think if he knew the truth? My heart sinks and the smile that’s been on my face throughout dinner slips momentarily.

“You okay?” Hudson asks, his brows furrowed in concern. I shrug in response. After that, I don’t really engage in more conversation. Several hours later, the dinner service is cleared; the wine glasses are empty and conversation is dying out. The men come to offer us their jovial congratulations.

They exchange knowing looks and pat Hudson’s shoulders as one by one they all leave. My parents are the first to go and I’m unable to stop the tears that fall as I hug my Dad.

“Now, now, Andrea. None of that,” he utters hoarsely. “Be sure to call your old man regularly.” I nod, trying to compose myself. I hug Mom, Autumn, and Alex, who tells me that if I ever need anything, he’s just a call away.

“Tell Ezra not to do anything stupid,” I whisper, and he nods. I wish Ezra and Charlie could be here as well, but these men recognize him as a dead man. So, the family gave their excuses.

After my family leaves, no one remains in the ballroom. “Wow, it emptied out so fast,” I tell Hudson, who shrugs.

“Yes, well they’re all very busy wi–” He trails off, his body jerking back forcefully. I stare in horror as a tiny red spot blooms on his shirt and rapidly starts to spread. There are loud shouts that sound dim in my ears as I watch his shirt in horror.

“What?...” His body jerks again and another red spot starts to bloom.

“Andrea, get down,” he says urgently as he crumbles to the ground.

“Hudson!” I shout, getting down on my knees next to him, forgetting the rule about calling him that name in front of his men.

CHAPTER 31

---