Page 3 of Mafia King's Forbidden Vows

“I know.” He puts his now empty glass on the tray of a waiter walking by and takes a filled one. “A promotion is always good, Aria, but I don’t know if I can stop participating actively in investigations. It’s what I’m used to. All that administrative work sounds boring.”

Oh... so that’s what this is about. I run my hands through my dark, mid-length hair, which I left to flow freely down my back for this event.

“You can deal with anything, Dad. I’m sure they’ll still let you oversee a couple of cases.” My feet carry me a step closer to him, and I bring my hand to his free one, folding it into a fist before wrapping mine around it. His hand feels warm, as usual, as I bring our entwined fists between us.

He holds my gaze for a brief moment, then nods. “It’s…it’s just…there’s a lot of criminals to purge from our society, especiallywith the growing activities of the mafia. This is no time to sit back and mull over some paperwork.”

“Of course, you can—”

“Deputy Chief,” one of his former colleagues interrupts. “Mr. Michael would like a word with you before the toast.”

“Aria…” he trails, glancing between me and his colleague.

“Go ahead, it’s your night. I’ll be here.”

He nods again, patting my cheek softly. The smile on my face doesn’t waver as I watch him leave. I’m left alone, and suddenly, like a recorded impulse, my gaze drifts back to the man under the chandelier. Except this time, his eyes are already on me.

It’s impossible to look away, not when his presence demands to be felt. My throat constricts, and I can’t tell if it’s from the intensity of the gaze or from how he starts to walk…towards me. His strides are long and powerful as he covers the distance between us.

At that moment, a waiter passes, and I quickly turn around, stop him, and grab a glass of champagne. Without hesitation, I bring it to my lips, chugging down the liquid to calm my jittery nerves. My throat tickles as the crisp sensation bites down.

“See something you like?” he asks when I finally turn back to see him standing before me. He has a light smirk as he takes the empty glass from my hand. “Looks like you might drop it.”

His voice is thick and husky, like velvet wrapped in smoke. It surprisingly curls around my stomach, pulling at something I thought was dormant.

“No,” my voice comes out bold and sharp even through my constricted throat, surprising the both of us. “I think I was holding it just fine.”

If he’s shocked he doesn’t say. “Congratulations to your old man on his promotion, Aria. You must be so damn proud.”

There’s an easy smile on his face and I know without a doubt that it’s the one the women fall for because it’s having the same magnetic effect on me. Or maybe it’s how smoothly my name drizzles from his lips. He must have heard Dad calling me, and that’s why he knows my name.

His cropped raven-hair sits atop his head in luscious waves, framing his chiseled face. The sharp angles of his jawline were highlighted by the subtle play of light from the chandeliers, drawing my gaze irresistibly to his lips.

As he turns to face me, his dark eyes lock onto my brown ones, and I feel the air vibrate with palpable attraction.

“Thank you.” I quickly turn to look at where my dad is talking with a group of police officers. “He’s worked very hard these past years. It’s good to see him getting his accolades.”

“Hmm.. hmm,” he lets out a throaty hum that tickles my spine. “He looks happy, but you, on the other hand, seem…nervous.”His words compel me to turn around, and when I do, I’m met with a scrutinizing gaze. I shift slightly on my feet, the stampede in my stomach growing worse.

I’m usually not like this…

“The stress from work must be getting to me. I was supposed to go straight home from work, but I wouldn’t miss his party for the world.”

He leans in slightly with a small smile, which causes me to hold my breath. “Such a dedicated daughter. I’d say your father is the lucky one.”

I shake my head, struggling to curtail the warzone of butterflies in my stomach. “If anything, I’m the one who should be grateful for having a father that’s devoted to making the society a better place. Even when it gets tough, he pushes through and does not let the danger he encounters deter him.”

“A life of fighting crimes.” He finally leans back, but his tone isn’t that mocking tone most strangers use when they learn of my father’s occupation. “There’s nothing more noble.”

That pulls a smile from me. “Indeed. There’s nothing more satisfying than putting criminals behind bars where they belong. I especially…find it satisfying.”

The silence that comes after that makes me want to snap my own neck. Why have I been ranting about law and order to abusinessman? But then, we’re at the Deputy Chief’s party. What else should be the subject?

I run my eyes over the soaring ceilings and majestic columns which make up this elegant hall in order to distract myself. When he clears his throat, I have no choice but to restart the conversation.

“Which reminds me,” I quickly chirp in, “since you seem as interested as I am in fighting crime, my father is testifying in court at the end of this month. I can talk to his attorney to let you sit in. It’s a sensitive case, so it’s not open to the public. I know you’re busy and…”

“I’ll be there. Here’s my card.” He pulls it out from the inner pocket of his suit jacket and hands it over to me.

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