CHAPTER 40
Meeting The ’Rents
Hunter
One thing was for certain: the Bellafiore women could cook.
I didn’t think I’d ever eaten such a filling, delicious spread before. Between my girlfriend, her mom, and her grandmother, they kept adding more food to my plate till it was piled high, insisting I try this and that and this.
Luna was eating with us too, currently curled near my feet with her own bowl, pausing every now and then to glance up at me.
We hadn’t seen each other in over twenty-four hours.
She missed me. Same as I missed her. I brought my hand down to pet her head and she leaned into my touch with a meow.
How quickly she and Gabriela wormed their way into my heart.
Now I couldn’t imagine my life without either of them.
Dinner was far from a quiet affair. Gabriela’s Mamma and Nonna peppered me with a multitude of questions. When was my birthday? What was my favourite colour? How many siblings did I have? What were my hobbies? How did I balance football and academics?
Naturally, they were extremely curious as I was the first man Gabriela brought home since the last fucker.
I was all too happy to answer their questions and ask some of my own.
I found that all three Bellafiore women had a natural charisma to them—the kind that attracted people to them like bees to honey.
As an introvert, I sometimes struggled when silence sparked in the middle of a conversation, but I had nothing to worry about with this social bunch. There were no awkward pauses and they instantly made me feel like I belonged right there, sitting amongst their fold, at the head of the table.
By the time dinner was swept away and dessert was laid on the table, I’d successfully won over Mrs. Bellafiore’s—or Lucia, as she demanded I address her—and Nonna’s hearts.
“Was everything to your liking, Hunter?” Lucia asked, spearing a spoon into her tiramisu.
“Absolutely.” I smiled at her and Nonna. “You’re both wonderful cooks. Now I know where Gabriela gets her culinary skills from.” My eyes strayed back to my beloved. “And beauty.”
Gabriela grinned fondly and kissed my cheek.
Lucia placed a hand on her chest in an ‘Aw’ motion and Nonna nodded approvingly while sipping her drink. “No wonder our Gabriela is so smitten.”
A loud throat clearing drew our attention towards the other end of the table.
Enzo Bellafiore spent the entirety of dinner glowering and going as far as placing his gun—barrel angled towards me—next to his charger plate. I didn’t miss the subtle threat. Earlier, Lucia had demanded he put his weapon away and he ignored her.
He’d remained silent from the minute we sat down for dinner, letting the women steer the conversation while he evaluated me like I was a convict and not his daughter’s boyfriend. Though perhaps those two terms were synonymous to the Bellafiore patriarch.
I didn’t let that bother me much, knowing it would take time for a man like him to warm up to my presence. Plus, I’d been around his type of mob man for years now, courtesy of my friendship with Josh. I wasn’t fazed or afraid. My only concern lay in proving to him that I deserved a fair chance.
No one would treat his daughter like I would.
“Hunter,” Enzo’s voice echoed with authority. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”
Nonna grumbled under her breath, disguising it with another sip of her drink. Lucia discreetly palmed her forehead, muttering an inaudible prayer. Gabriela froze, eyeing Enzo. Even Luna, now sitting in my lap, lifted her head enough to stare at her grandfather’s oddly timed question.
I smiled. “Are you offering to teach me, sir?”
His scowl deepened. “My daughter is an independent woman who can take care of herself, but I would feel better knowing she’s with someone who could actually protect her. And judging from the ongoing dinner conversation, I don’t know if you have what it takes.”
Fuck.
That stung more than I’d like to admit.
Indirectly, he was saying that he wasn’t sure I could be a part of their world. I wasn’t raised like him, in the underbelly of Montardor’s criminal empires. That much was obvious. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t protect Gabriela if the situation demanded it.
On cue, all three women and Luna glared at Enzo.
“Papà,” Gabriela chided through gritted teeth. “That was extremely uncalled for.”
I’d anticipated this exact behaviour from Enzo. I wouldn’t let his words deter me. He was testing me, trying to determine if I was fit to be by his daughter’s side, and I couldn’t even fault him for it.
Sitting up straighter, I calmly took a sip of my drink before earnestly saying, “With all due respect, sir, I understand your concerns and they are valid. But I would appreciate it if you gave me a fair chance to prove myself worthy of being by your daughter’s side.
” I exchanged a quick glance with Gabriela, who observed me with bated breath, before focusing back on Enzo.
“I do know how to wield a gun. I’ve been going to the shooting range with Josh for the last week.
Though I may not possess the kind of skills you do, which I understand come with years of experience, I can fend for myself.
And Gabriela too. If ever she’s in a distressing situation where she needs me, I’ll move Heaven and Earth to be there for her—I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure her safety, even at the expense of my own. ”
It got utterly quiet in the room.
Enzo never took his gaze off me, but the scowl misted away and gave leeway to a neutral set of features.
Wanting to assure him further, I quietly added, “We may have been raised in different worlds, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m with Gabriela now. Her protection and happiness will always be a priority to me. I would do anything for her. I am completely devoted to her.”
Gabriela, Lucia, and Nonna appeared moved by my admission.
Enzo nodded, satisfied with my reply. “Good,” he stated. “If that ever changes, I’ll make you regret it.”
I passed his test with flying colours and the relief was palpable in the room.
He inclined his wine glass in my direction in a brief display of truce.
I smiled and did the same.
And we resumed eating dessert.
“That went well, don’t you think?”
The nervous bite in Gabriela’s tone made me smile. “I’d say so.”
She handed me a plate and I dried it with a washcloth. We were on dish duty, having insisted upon it, since Lucia and Nonna cooked. The rest of the Bellafiores had congregated in the living room with their glasses of grappa, awarding us a moment of privacy.
Gabriela rinsed another plate under the faucet, suds disappearing down the drain. “My family hasn’t scared you off, right?”
“No.” I leaned down to kiss her forehead. Her body relaxed under my touch. “I’m never letting you go, sweetheart. You’re stuck with me.”
How could I let you go, when I’m this in love with you?
Relief splashed over her face. “I was worried you’d change your mind after witnessing my papà’s antics.”
“I enjoyed having dinner with your family, Gabriela. Your mom and grandmother are sweet and made me feel very welcomed. I liked hearing their funny anecdotes and your Nonna’s latest book review.
” We shared a quick chuckle. “As for your dad, I’m not worried.
He’ll warm up to me with time. I can’t say I blame him for saying the things he said.
You’re his only daughter and he loves you very much.
After the ordeal with Franco, it’s only natural that he’s extra cautious of whoever you bring home. ”
“You’re right, he’ll come around and then he’ll grow to lo—” She suddenly paused, clearing her throat. “Like you the way I have.”
Tonight was a big step, but I hoped Enzo came around to liking, if not at the very least, accepting me.
We washed our hands with soap and wiped them on a clean towel.
Gabriela broke the pensive silence. “Sometimes I forget that he’s Vance’s second-in-command.
Though I grew up around this life, I wasn’t always exposed to the bad side of it, usually kept sheltered for my own good.
Despite me being aware of who my papà was, what he did, and how he made his money, I’d rarely seen his rude side since he’s only ever been tender around his family.
I suppose him questioning you that way caught me off guard—nor did I like it.
But I understand where he’s coming from and I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Hunter. ”
I loved that she worried for me, but she had no reason to. I was perfectly fine.
“I’m okay. Don’t worry. Dinner went well and I had a good time.” I cupped her face. “And I’m not going anywhere. Not even an army could pry me off of you, Gabriela. That’s how deep I’m in, baby.”
She smiled finally and covered my hands with her own. “And if you stray too far from me, I’ll yank you back where you belong.”
“I’m banking on it.” I kissed her lips. “You look so beautiful tonight in your little black dress.” Kiss. “And these heart-shaped earrings.” Kiss. “And these sweet, red lips that I just want to keep kissing until I run out of air.”
She giggled as I pressed one reverent kiss after the other.
Queen of my heart.
She was so goddamn lovely.
All I wanted was to protect and love her until my dying breath.
Now her hands were coasting down my sides, one pausing over my right rib…
where I had the Pegasus constellation inked.
We went to the tattoo parlour a few days ago to get our inks.
Though she’d jokingly suggested I get ‘Gabriela’s Pretty Boy’ the night of the Halloween party, the idea of our stars tattooed on my skin was more enticing to her.
My skin was her canvas. Whatever she wanted, I would have gotten it.
And in return, she got a stunning cursive and thin serpent tattoo down her spine.
“Shall we head back to the living room?” I asked. “They’re probably wondering what’s taking us so long.”
“They definitely know you’re in here stealing kisses.”
I puffed out a laugh before stealing another kiss. “Guilty.”
Gabriela filled two more grappa glasses for us.
Hand in hand, we joined the others in the living room.
An old vinyl played on a record, decorating the atmosphere with musical notes.
Enzo, Lucia, and Nonna were locked in a discussion, so Gabriela and I headed straight for the large bay window.
Luna was sitting on the sill to watch the neighbourhood.
Sensing our approach, she turned around and meowed.
“Hi, Luna,” Gabriela cooed, caressing her.
But Luna appeared restless, pawing at the window and meowing. As if trying to redirect our attention to the street lining the Bellafiore home…
Where an unmarked silver sedan rested at the curb.
Narrowing my eyes, I glanced out the window with Gabriela.
“Who is that?” my girlfriend questioned in a thoughtful, quiet manner.
A shadow moved inside the car.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No—”
Gabriela didn’t even get to finish her sentence.
Suddenly, the car pulled away with screeching tires and gunned it down the street.
Disappearing from view like it had never been there.