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, whoobserved 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.”
