Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father novel Chapter 21

Kent clenches his jaw as he observes my reaction. “Chin up, girl,” he says, his voice steady, giving me strength. “Meet him with pride.”

I swallow and nod, trying to embody that. But inside I’m quailing.

Daniel walks back over to me, his steps slowing and his face growing worried when he sees who I’m talking to. When Kent catches sight of him, he nods. “Good,” Kent says, beckoning Daniel closer.

As Daniel hands my glass of champagne to me, his father holds out a black velvet box to him. Frowning with confusion, Daniel takes and opens it. His face falls slack as he sees what’s inside.

My own jaw drops when I see the size of the diamond sitting on the little velvet pillow. At least ten carats, emerald cut, set in an art deco style.

“It would be appropriate,” Kent says, his voice commanding, “for Fay to wear your family’s ring tonight, since you are engaged.”

“Dad,” Daniel says, looking up at him. “This was mom’s ring…”

Kent nods sharply, holding out the box to him. It’s not really an offer.

Daniel sighs and takes the box, lifting the ring from it. He looks at me and cocks his head to the side. My fingers shaking a little, I raise my hand. As Daniel takes it and starts to slip the ring onto my finger, I wonder what this means.

Is this a tacit agreement to the engagement? Or some sort of ploy for when I meet my father? Is Kent trying to mark me as part of his own family, even as I meet my own?

My questions are interrupted, though, by the feeling of the ring sticking at my second knuckle.

Daniel pushes harder, but it won’t budge.

“Um, dad,” Daniel says, looking between us. “I think it’s too small.”

I bite my lip, embarrassed. I guess Daniel’s mom had slimmer fingers than me.

Kent glares at Daniel and then nudges him aside, taking my hand in his own. Deftly, he angles the ring so that it slips over the knuckle, and then presses down. I look up into his eyes as the ring slides home to the base of my finger.

I hold my breath, almost, as I feel my cold hand in his warm one, the weight of his ring on my finger.