Page 75 of His Son's Ex

I’m left alone in an unfamiliar yet luxurious room feeling a strange mixture of safety and uneasiness.

The knock at my door an hour later is soft but insistent, dragging me away from the small amount of clothes I’m half-heartedly attempting to unpack. One of the staff members informs me the family meeting is about to start.

Fantastic.

I smooth down my sweater and sigh. If I’d known I’d be crashing a royal court session, I might’ve packed something less casual and more professional, perhaps with a slight intimidation factor.

“Welcome to the lion’s den,” I mutter to myself as I follow the staff member down the hall.

The long mahogany table stares at me as I enter the dining room as if it could seat a U.N. delegation, causing me to feel like the meeting I’m about to partake in may not be that far off.

Dante stands near the head of the table, deep in conversation with Luca, who shoots me a look the second he notices me—equal parts annoyance and petty boyish scorn. Sarah’s perched beside him like a decorative statue, wearing a tight, brittle smile that’s supposed to pass as polite but lands somewhere between smug and constipated.

Linda sits near the middle, legs crossed, hair perfect, makeup expertly applied. She taps on her phone looking bored, like this entire ordeal is beneath her.

At the other end sits Isabella, regal as ever, spine straight, gaze unreadable. She’s flanked by two silver-haired men in sleek suits—Dante’s uncles, if I had to guess—the younger one looking like he just stepped out of an Armani catalog.

The room hushes the second I step inside.

Dante catches my eye and gives me a subtle, grounding smile. Then he addresses the entire room, saying, “Everyone, I believe you already know Eva, but I want to make things official.” His hand reaches for mine, warm and steady. “She’s my partner.”

Oh.

That lands with a weight I wasn’t quite ready for. I feel it settle into my chest like an anchor, and also, strangely, like a parachute. Not quite girlfriend but “partner.” Something in between, something more undefined. The undefined part is what feels oddly freeing.

I glance around the table, noting everyone’s reaction.

Isabella is as calm as ever, hands folded on the table, chin slightly lifted like she already knew this was coming. Classic poker face.

Luca’s jaw is clenched so tight it could crack concrete. Good. Sarah’s eyes are wide, but she maintains her default look of mild boredom. Points for effort.

Linda actually snorts, so loudly the sound ricochets across the table like a bullet.

“Partner, huh?” she says, inspecting her manicured nails. “Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun, Dante? We had one family dinner together. I’d say that hardly constitutes her earning the title.”

Dante’s eyes flash with anger. “She’s here because she’s an important part of my life. The only reasonyou’rehere is because we have a son together. Otherwise, you could parade yourself down Broadway for all I fucking care.”

Linda surprisingly appears rattled by his words.

Dante turns to the rest of the group. “Given recent events in the city, it’s crucial that everyone in this house is under the same roof. Safe. That includes Eva.”

Luca frowns. “Really? Exactly how important is she?”

Dante narrows his gaze. “Important enough to be here. I owe you no other explanation.”

The older of Dante’s uncles clears his throat. “We’ve heard rumors, Dante. Something’s brewing among the syndicates. The Russians, the Lombardis, maybe others. They’ve noticed your interest in certain expansions.”

Dante nods, eyes flicking to me and then back to the table. “We suspect a power shift. Somebody is orchestrating hits and sending messages. I’m not sure Luca is ready to step in if things escalate.”

Luca frowns. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m your son.”

Linda lifts her chin. “Dante, you have no choice but to let Luca lead in the future. He’s your only heir. Might as well bring him into the fold sooner rather than later.”

Dante’s gaze darkens. “Luca has much to prove before I can trust him to lead or be involved in any crucial matters.”

Linda scoffs, flipping her hair. “That’s ridiculous. He’s your heir, whether you like it or not.”

Before Dante can snap back, Isabella steps in. “Patience, Linda. You forgetIhave a say in this family’s leadership, too.” She glances at Luca with cool assessment. “So far, my grandson has shown little backbone. Not only where it concerns what Dante just mentioned, but in many aspects of his life.”

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