Introductions

"Dante." Cara groaned as she used me for support to get off the floor. "Don't be an asshole."

The sexy man grumbled, never taking his eyes off of me.

Cara held out her hand, offering me help off the floor. I reached out to take her hand, but it was pushed away by Dante who took my hand and pulled me up swiftly.

I fell into his arms, getting lost in his manly cologne that smelled like musk and bad decisions. His hard muscles enveloped me and oddly made me feel safe, but also scared at the same time.

I cleared my throat and pulled away, "Thank you."

He gave me a curt nod before stepping back.

“So, who’s this pretty lady you’re looking for Dante?” Cara asked with amusement lacing her voice, “Ella said you were very eager to see her again.”

Dante shot her a cold glare that would have anybody running away in fear, but Cara just giggled before throwing herself into her fiancé’s arms.

“Bella, meet my husband Lorenzo Romano.” Cara introduced as the man tucked her into his large frame.

My eyes roamed his huge body, not understanding how he hasn’t killed her yet.

He was built like a tank.

“Hello.” My voice was soft and hesitant, “It’s nice to meet you Lorenzo.”

He gave me a curt nod, but didn’t say anything.

“Not a man of many words I see.” I retorted, making Cara laugh.

“He’s quiet with everyone but me.” She teased, making the corner of his lips tug up a little.

Ah, so he was different with Cara.

Interesting.

Dante cleared his throat, turning our attention back over to him.

“And this is Dante Romano.” Cara groaned in annoyance, “Lorenzo and Ella’s older brother, and a pain in my ass.”

Dante looked smug as she introduced him until the pain of my ass part came out of her mouth.

“You know, I could just kill you right now so I’m not stuck having you in my family for the rest of my life.” He scoffed, making me snort.

“And why would you do that?” Cara dragged her words out, “If you kill me, Isabella will hate you.”

Dante shot me a look, watching to see my reaction.

“I mean, she’s not wrong.” I smirked, “If you kill Cara, you’ll have to kill me too.”

He grunted before rolling his eyes.

“Dinners gonna be served soon. Come downstairs and stop keeping everyone waiting.” With those biting words, he turned around and left the room.

I turned to Cara who was enjoying every second of this.

"What the hell just happened?" I asked, feeling so confused.

"That man is obsessed with you." Cara laughed, making me cringe.

"Jesus Cara, stop talking nonsense."

"I'm serious." She whined, "Dante doesn't waste the time of day on any women, but with you...he's totally interested."

"Well I'm not interested." I said as a matter of factly, "Me and relationships don't get along."

"Your telling me you've been single this whole time?"

"Not necessarily." I shrugged my shoulders, "I've been causally dating a coworker for the past year and it's been fine."

She gasped before pinching my arm, "You've been in a relationship this whole time and haven't told me?!"

"Oh god." I groaned, knowing Cara is gonna make this bigger than what it is.

"What's his name?" She rambled, "What's he like? Would I like him? Does he treat you well?"

"I'm going down stairs for dinner." I muttered before leaving the room.

"ISABELLA!" She yelled out after me.

I picked up my pace, knowing Cara was gonna chase after me. I needed to get away because I really didn't want to talk about my past relationships.

Or my current relationship for that matter.

...

Most of the guests were seated around the long table underneath the pretty white tent. I found Ella quickly, noticing she was sitting near the head of the table by her brother Dante.

I was surprised to see him at the head of the table.

He must have been in charge, but I had no idea what he was in charge of. Did he have a high position within the Italian Mafia?

I had more questions than answers at this point.

Ella waved me over and patted the seat next her. I smiled and made my way over to her before taking the seat she saved for me. I watched as she bounced in her chair with so much excitement that I couldn't stop smiling.

"I'm so glad I got to meet you tonight." She whispered as she leaned over, "Cara always talks about you and all the crazy things you guys did together when you were kids."

"Oh god." I cringed, "I hope she didn't say too much."

Ella laughed, drawing attention to us but I kept my gaze on her.

"Only good things." She beamed up at me.

"Good."

Lorenzo and Cara took a seat across from us before Cara's parents sat next to them. Cara winked at me before she stuck her tongue out at Ella--who ended up doing the same to her.

"Act like an adult." Dante scolded Cara, making her stick her tongue out at him too.

"Lighten up, cupcake." Cara teased, making me snort.

Dante shot me a cold glare, making me unconsciously shiver at the piercing danger behind his gaze.

"Sorry." I whispered before I looked away from him.

Cara laughed out loud, making everyone at the table look at her. She buried her head into Lorenzo's shoulder from embarrassment, finally making everyone silent all around us.

My father and his men were the last to take a seat at the table. He wasn't too close, but close enough for me to feel his gaze on me. Not to mention the fact that his pervy men couldn't hide their lust as they salivated over me.

It was pitiful and disgusting.

Before I knew it, grand dishes were being brought out and sat down in front of us. This was supposed to be a seven course meal, so they started us off with an appetizer--tuna tartar with an elaborate design on the plate with a few beautiful flowers.

"It's so beautiful." Ella clapped and beamed down at her plate.

I smiled before grabbing her napkin and placing it on her lap.

"Thank you Isabella."

"Of course, little flower." I smiled at her.

Dante waved over one of the waitstaff and told the lady that Ella didn't eat fish.

"I want to eat it, big brother." Ella complained, "I want to at least try a little of it."

"No, because your just gonna waste it." He argued back. "Your big brother knows best."

Ella pouted and looked sad as the waiter went to reach for her plate but I stopped her instead.

"Let her try it before you take it away." I may have been a little firm with my words, but the sad look on Ella's face did something to me.

The waiter looked towards Dante who had his attention fully on me.

"Can she not try it?" I asked him, "Shouldn't you want her to try new things and broaden her palate?"

Cara smirked while everyone around the table stopped what they were doing and stared at us. I could see the judging looks on their faces and barely hear the whispers that came out of their fake mouths.

"Go ahead Ella." Dante finally spoke after the excruciating wait of his piercing silence.

Ella smiled before thanking me.

"Here, take this spoon and have a bite." I showed her what spoon to use to scoop a little of the tuna before grabbing my spoon and placing some tuna on my spoon. "How about we try it together?"

She nodded her head vigorously before bringing the tuna up to her lips. I smiled softly before taking a bite and watching her reaction to the course.

The tuna was perfectly seasoned and melted in your mouth like butter. Whoever made it was a pro and I could honestly get used to eating like this.

After taking my bite, I waited for Ella's reaction. She had a peculiar look on her face as she swallowed the tuna.

"It's fishy." She drawled out, "But really good."

After she said that, she dipped her spoon into the rest of it and ate it. Everyone around the table was surprised--speechless even.

I looked over at Dante and gave him a taunting smile.

"Seems like big brother didn't know best this time." I threw at him, making people gasp around the table.

I looked around, startled by their reactions. Why were they so serious and appalled?

A low chuckle came from Dante's lips, shocking me even more. He gave me an intriguing look before he took a sip of his crystal glass that was filled with amber liquor. He raised his glass and cheered towards me before finishing it off.

"How dare she challenge the don like that." I heard a hiss a couple of seats over.

"She must have a death wish." Another one said, "The don has killed people for less."

I paled at their words, not believing what I heard.

"The don?" I whispered a little too loud because I drew eyes from all over the table.

Mr. Morelli cleared his throat, "Isabella, I'm not sure if you were introduced to Dante yet." He tried to salvage the situation, "Dante Romano is the Don of the Italian mafia."

All air left my lungs as I sat in my seat frozen in fear.

Fuck.

I just put the Don of the Italian mafia in his place like a child. I even teased him and talked back to him, as if I had the right too.

My eyes darted over to Dante to see him smirking and enjoying every second of my shame and embarrassment.

What in the fuck did I get myself into by coming here?