All Chapters of The Godfather’s Favorite: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Alexander’s PerspectiveEddy showed up past midnight, the crunch of gravel under his boots giving him away before he even knocked. I didn’t bother looking up until he dropped onto the couch opposite me, stretching like he owned the place.“She’s home,” he said after a moment, voice casual. “Delivered safe and sound, just like you asked. Though I’ve gotta say…” His grin sharpened. “You really missed out. You could’ve gone yourself, you know—chance to pick her up and all.”I raised an eyebrow. “You want to pick her up?”He froze for half a second, then laughed awkwardly, hands lifting in mock surrender. “Not me. I wouldn’t dare. She’s your brother’s fiancée. I just meant—” he hesitated, scratching the back of his neck, “—it’s a risky game you’re playing, that’s all. If Aiden or even Olivia catches wind of this, it’s not going to blow over easy.”I leaned back in my chair, silent.Eddy sighed. “Look, you know I don’t stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but this?” He tilted his head. “T

Ava’s PerspectiveBy the time the banquet reached full swing, I’d forced myself to breathe normally again. The sight of Damon Jones had left my stomach in knots, but as the evening dragged on and there was still no sign of him, I began to relax—just slightly.Later, whispers rippled through the room: the head of the Quinn family had been hospitalized, struck by a sudden relapse of his chronic illness. That explained the absence that had terrified me. If the family patriarch was bedridden, that person wouldn’t appear tonight.Still, the relief was fragile. Damon Jones’s presence was enough to keep me on edge. He laughed easily among the guests, his charm effortless, his influence undeniable. Every so often, I caught his gaze sweeping the crowd, and I had to look away, terrified he might recognize me. The lighting was soft, but not soft enough to hide a face he’d once seen—if only briefly—years ago, on a night I’d rather forget.“Ava,” Daphne’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. Sh

Ava’s PerspectiveI forced a steady smile, “Since you made your entrance with Miss Quinn, I overheard someone mention your name,” I said smoothly, swirling the champagne in my glass. “Young Master Jones, isn’t it?”He studied me too long, his gaze sharp and searching, and for a fleeting second, I felt stripped bare—like the name Wendy still lingered somewhere on my skin.Damon frowned. “Strange. You speak as though we’ve met before.”I tilted my head, my lips curving faintly. “I’d remember meeting a man like you.”He didn’t smile back. His eyes were still on me, scrutinizing every flicker of my expression. I could tell he wasn’t convinced. I felt the tight coil of fear winding inside me—if he pressed further, if he connected the dots—Just then, a waiter appeared beside us, bowing slightly. “Miss Morgan,” he said, “Miss Daphne is waiting for you upstairs. She asked that you come immediately.”Relief flooded me so suddenly my knees nearly gave out. “Excuse me,” I murmured, setting my gl

Ava’s PerspectiveBill’s family. If they ever found proof of this mess—if Bill truly saw—the good girl image I’d painstakingly built to outsmart the Clarkes would shatter.Desperation clawed up my throat. My only shield was the mask I wore best. I forced my trembling lips into a soft pout, letting my voice fall into a fragile, honeyed whisper, threaded with just the right edge of tears.“Alex~, please?” I breathed, tilting my head back to bare the vulnerable line of my throat above the red silk tie he’d knotted there. “Don’t be mad at me… please, don’t show him.” My lower lip quivered, carefully, convincingly. “Spare your baby, okay?”My fingers brushed his wrist, feather-light. “Hubby… won’t you touch me? I miss you.”His entire body went rigid, dark eyes fixed on me like something caught mid-motion, even the anger in them going strangely still.It… worked?A flicker of disbelief sparked in my chest—he was actually responding to it, to the soft, submissive act.Heart pounding, I press

Ava’s PerspectiveBill’s name flashed across the screen before I could even steady my breathing.For a moment, I just stared at it — the vibrating phone against my trembling hand, the echo of what had just happened still burning on my skin. I forced a deep breath, pressed “accept,” and lifted it to my ear.“Where the hell are you?” he snapped the moment the line connected. “I’ve been walking around this damn place like an idiot—what the fuck are you doing?”“I—” I forced my voice steady. “I spilled wine on my dress. I came upstairs to change.”He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Funny. Damon just told me Daphne called you away. You two can’t even get your lies straight?”My pulse jumped. “No, that’s right,” I said quickly. “I asked Daphne to come with me—to help me change. That’s what he meant.”Of course, I hadn’t relied on a single excuse. The moment I came upstairs, I’d already set everything in place—the Church Banquet Etiquette Manual Daphne prepared laid out, an easy explanation r