Marry the Mafia at Christmas

CHAPTER 2

DAVE

Attending the engagement party of Elara Fothergill and Cedric Wilder isn’t something I want to do, but something I have to do.

Business and Woman.

I am curious how the two families, especially Elara, will react when Cedric's secret explodes.

I have been looking to expand to the publishing market, but haven’t found the perfect company to buy out. Fothergill publishing company is considered the number one, and I either want to study them, or create an opportunity to buy out the company.

Eyes on the bride-to-be, I wondered where her fiancé had disappeared to. She has been the one greeting and welcoming guests.

Did she know her dear fiancé was fuking a man while she welcomed us?

From my seated position, I watched her, Elara, move around with so much confidence and grace, admiring her beauty in every sense.

“I would lust after her too.” An unfamiliar voice announced beside me, tearing my eyes away from the young woman. “Cedric is lucky to have this woman on his bed every morning.” He sighed dreamily. “what I would do to f**k her senseless just one time.”

I hate men who talk about females in that manner. “I am more attracted to her intelligence.” I rasped, downing my drink. “and if there is anyone I would want to f**k senseless for just one time, then it is your daughter,” I tilted my head. “or maybe your wife.”

His face tightened with anger. “Don’t speak about my wife and daughter like that.”

Chuckling, I uncrossed my legs and leaned forward, my eyes hardening despite the smile on my lips. “But it is okay to talk about another person’s daughter and possible wife like that?”

He swallowed heavily, looking away, but I wasn’t done with him. “I don’t know what gave you the guts to think you can sit beside me or engage me in a useless conversation, but the next time you talk down on the opposite s*x like that with no due cause and I am anywhere around you, I will pull your f*****g intestine from your mouth.”

Unable to remain sitting beside me, he stood to his feet and scampered away.

Moving my gaze back to the crowd, I noticed she was gone. I quickly scanned the hall but couldn’t find her anywhere.

My phone chimed in my pocket, prompting me to pull it out. Clicking on the message icon, I quickly read the message from one of my men.

YOU NEED TO COME OVER TO THE CLUB ASAP BOSS.

Pocketing my phone, I stood to call it a night but was stopped by Mr. Wilder, Cedric’s father.

“Mr. Wystan.” He greeted me, his hand stretching out in a handshake which I accepted. “It is an honor to have you here.”

I gave a sharp nod. “I appreciate the invite.”

He smiled widely. “Will you be coming for the actual wedding?”

I scanned the crowd again for Elara but didn’t find her. “Let’s be hopeful,” I replied, moving my attention back to the man.

“I heard you are thinking of investing in publishing.” He mused.

Despite my face being relaxed, I wondered how he heard the news. Secrets sure have their own of spreading. “You heard right, but I have yet to decide which publishing company to invest in.”

“Fothergill Publishing House is a perfect choice.” He suggested.

“Because your son is marrying from the family?”

He shook his head, ready to lie through his teeth. “Because it is simply the best.”

Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized that I had spent five minutes with him already. “Let me be the judge of which is considered the best.”

Wilder chuckled. “Always the proud one.”

Guilty as charged. “Have a lovely evening.”

Turning away, I walked away from the hall, got into my car, and zoomed off into the night.

ELARA’s POV

Nothing hurts more than being stabbed with the very knife you spent so much time sharpening.

Flynn and Cedric were never close, but I was the one who pushed them to spend more time together, to find common ground in business. I thought I was helping, trying to bridge the gap between them, but in return, I got nothing but betrayal. They called me a fool and took advantage of my trust, sleeping behind my back.

I don’t care how long it’s been going on… Honestly, I think it’s ridiculous that people even ask that question. What difference does it make if the affair started a day ago, a week ago, or a year ago? The damage is done, no matter when it started.

Scoffing bitterly, I grabbed the nearest scotch bottle and poured a generous amount into my glass. Without hesitation, I gulped it down, the burn in my throat doing little to numb the pain. I’m sure they’ve noticed by now that I’m gone, but I didn’t care.

Lifting my wrist, I glanced at my watch. It was a few minutes past nine. It should have been time for the fireworks, had everything gone according

to plan.

“You’re going to break the glass if you keep gripping it like that,” a voice suddenly remarked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I looked up, startled, meeting the gaze of a handsome stranger who looked oddly familiar. His grey eyes fixed on me with a look that was more curious than concerned about the glass I was holding so tightly. “Are you worried I won’t be able to pay for the glass if I break it?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

He slid onto the bar stool next to me. “I’m more concerned with the pieces of shattered glass piercing your fingers.”

I wasn’t in the mood for a conversation, let alone with a stranger. “Buzz off,” I snapped, turning my attention back to my drink.

He chuckled, undeterred. “What would make a young lady, dressed in a Versace dinner dress, covered in diamonds, sit in a club on a Friday night at nine o’clock, wanting to break a glass with her fingers?”

I shot him a glare. “Do you have a problem minding your business?”

Before I could reach for the bottle, his hand shot out, stopping me. His fingers curled around the neck of the bottle with a firm grip. My jaw clenched. “What’s your problem?”

“My name’s Dave,” he said, completely unfazed by my irritation.

I scoffed, meeting his gaze. “I never asked for your name.”

“But I’m going to ask you,” he said, his voice soft but persistent. “What exactly have you all dressed up like this and ended up in this place?” He tilted his head slightly, his curiosity growing. “A day gone wrong?” he glanced at my finger, staring at it for a while.

He reached for my glass, and before I could protest, he poured himself a drink, then casually gulped it down without a second thought. He didn’t even seem to mind sharing the glass with a stranger.

“I used that glass,” I pointed out, just in case he missed it.

He nodded. “I’ll be kissing you later tonight, so it doesn’t matter if we’re sharing a glass.”

My jaw dropped. Like, literally. Who was this man?

“So, a day went wrong?” he pressed, his arms crossing as he leaned in with a smirk. “Let me guess… You found your boyfriend cheating on you with your best friend?”

“An engagement party gone wrong,” I clarified with a long, frustrated sigh, reaching for the bottle instead. He let me take it. “And no, I didn’t find him sleeping with my best friend. I found him having s*x with my brother.”

He whistled, his eyes widening. “Shut up.” His tone shifted, a flicker of empathy crossing his features. “Having s*x with your brother? That’s… damn wild.”

What was even wilder was the fact that Cedric expected me to go ahead with the wedding after what I saw. “It’s crazy how quickly things change,” I muttered, my gaze drifting toward the counter as I turned away from the stranger whose name I could not even remember.

Suddenly, I felt his body heat closing in on me. I jerked around and found him leaning forward, our lips so close I could feel his breath on my skin. My pulse quickened, and I couldn’t stop the hitch in my breath.

When he said he was going to kiss me tonight, I was certain it wouldn’t happen. But now? Now, I wasn’t so sure.

Before I could gather my thoughts, he grabbed my stool and pulled me closer, his movements so sudden and confident that I had no choice but to follow.

“I don’t want to have to raise my voice every time I want to talk to you,” he whispered.

My throat went dry, and I instinctively licked my lips. “what was your name again?”

“Dave,” he muttered, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip. “And I can help you forget more than just my name.”

I knew exactly what he meant, and honestly, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t imagine undressing him. After everything I’d just been through, I didn’t owe anyone loyalty anymore. I was single, and I was going to enjoy it. “What can you make me forget?”

“The list could be long,” he replied with a smirk. “But we can start with your engagement party, your fiancé, and your dickhead brother.”

This was a wildcard—one I wasn’t afraid to play. “I left my purse, so you’re paying for the room.”

Dave’s smile widened, making his already handsome features even more captivating. He should smile more often. “I have an apartment right above this club, so no one’s paying for anything.”

A small, almost teasing smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “You won’t come hunting me down like a stalker when the sun rises tomorrow and you don’t find me in your bed?”

He chuckled softly, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek. His thumb traced the line of my skin gently as if memorizing it. “No matter how beautiful you are, love,” he said slowly, studying my face as though I were a work of art, “I don’t go back for seconds. Too much hassle.”

Then I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t be doing this. “The bill’s on you,” I pointed out, standing up from the barstool.

He nodded, a grin playing on his lips as he took my hand. “It’s on the house.”

“And my name is Elara,” I whispered.

He smiled softly. “You have a lovely name.”

I know that.

Dave led me toward the elevator, and though I was burning with the desire to kiss him, I kept my composure, resisting the urge to pounce on him right there.