Velvet Lullabies

Tomorrow would be the first of the two engagement parties and Adelina was not particularly looking forward to either. This one was for the Providence family and next weekend they would fly to New York for that family.

Tonight though, was just for the immediate families to meet. Lucian flew in early to pick her up from school, his parents were due to arrive any minute, and his brother would be here tomorrow.

“What are you doing over here, bella?”

“Thinking.” She replied lifting her wine glass to her lips.

“And drinking?” he chuckled.

“That too.”

He shifted to the side to look her over, she felt hot under his gaze. “Tell me what you’re really thinking about?”

“You.” She whispered. “Meeting your parents.”

“They’ll love you.” He told her.

“I’m sure they will. I’m very loveable.” Her painted dark red lips gave him a smirk.

“That you are.” His lips gently brushed her cheek. “So, I have something for you.”

“Yeah?” she set her wine glass on one of the coasters on the coffee table. “Let’s have it.”

Lucian laughed softly. “I think I’m supposed to go down on one knee.”

Her jaw dropped immediately. “You mean?”

Lucian bent down on a knee in front of the couch. “I thought you would appreciate not doing this with a crowd, hmm bella?”

“Yes.” She breathed. “Thank you.”

He pulled a black velvet box from his pocket. Opening it to reveal a large diamond set on a rose gold diamond band.

“Adelina Lucille DeMarco, will you marry me?”

She hiccupped.

Lucian Luchese was down on one knee before her with a gorgeous ring and she hiccupped. In his face. The shame of the action made her face go red, but Lucian just laughed.

“Say yes, bella.” He whispered.

“Yes, bella.” She replied.

???

Apparently, there wasn’t a moment of peace to be had at an engagement party. So far Adelina had spoken to every Italian she had ever met in her life. Massimo had shown her off like a piece of meat, and most of the guests would much rather talk to Lucian than her.

The women on the other hand were happy to talk to her, as long as it was about the large rock on her finger or the extravagant wedding that was being planned. Neither of which Adelina wanted to discuss.

Lucian kept a hand pressed to her lower back as he spoke to the men and sipped expensive cognac from a crystal tumbler. The periodic squeeze of his hand reminded her that he was there with her.

His parents arrived last night, Carlo and Anette Luchese were the definition of a power couple. Carlo’s eyes looked at his wife like she was the only woman in the world. Anette was beautiful, draped in a long navy dress and strappy heels. The two of them were the center of attention, more so than Lucian and Adelina. It wasn’t every day that Providence hosted a New York power couple.

Adelina was quick to realize that the Luchese’s were the were a pretty powerful family in the Mafia.

Now she understood why this marriage was such a big deal.

Next week, she would be in New York to attend her engagement part in the Luchese family estate, where she would meet all the other heads of the Mafia families.