Chapter 76 Introductions
Dakota's P.O.V.
"Thank you," I reply as I take his arm. We walk out of the room, and once again, everyone stares. I lean over to whisper to Galdino.
"I feel like I should start breaking out in song or something whenever I enter a room." He chuckles lightly as we begin making our rounds.
Most people he introduces me to seem nice enough, but they clearly don't know what to think of me. That's a good thing. I want to keep them guessing. Galdino makes me laugh several times when he tells me secrets about some of the bosses of the other families. When we reach the bar, I order red wine. I'm not much of a drinker, but I can tolerate a sip of wine.
"I'm happy you came tonight. You have made this evening tolerable. I can see why my dad was so taken with you, even as a little girl. You're smart and funny." If I were one to blush, I would certainly be doing so with his compliments. I clink my glass with his.
"I was nervous that people would treat me like I don't belong here." Galdino shakes his head.
"No, if anything, they were worried about how you would treat them. No one has ever had to deal with a female boss of one of the largest families before." When they announce dinner, we begin walking toward the dining area.
"Will you please sit at my table? My son should be here soon if he hasn't snuck in already. He didn't want to come, but I encouraged him to because one day he'll take over." Santino talked about his grandson a lot. I was hoping to meet him one day.
"I would like that. I really didn't want to eat alone." He leads me to a table in the center of the room, and I stop walking. There is the most handsome man I have ever seen smiling at us. He has thick black hair, a golden tan complexion, and gray eyes. My mouth suddenly feels dry, and my feet feel like they have lead in them. He stands when we reach the table and holds his hand out to me.
"I'm Aurelio. Dad, I didn't know you were dating someone so young." My mouth falls open, and I ignore his hand.
"I am not his girlfriend. I am Dakota Kondrati." Galdino takes a seat and chuckles as I stare at his son.
"Please accept my apologies. I wasn't expecting you to be so beautiful." I narrow my eyes at him.
"We Russians can clean up when we have to." He steps back as if I slapped him.
"That's not what I meant. I'm just digging myself into a hole here. Let's start over. I'm Aurelio. Please call me Ari. I'm Galdino's son and Santino's grandson." He holds his hand out again, and I smile as I take it.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Dakota Kondrati. I think we're supposed to be sworn enemies. So tell me, what type of weapon are you packing, or is this your first time coming out to play with the big boys?" I release his hand and take my seat while he stares at me in shock. His dad is sitting on one side of me, and Ari sits on the other. People from the other tables keep looking in our direction. This is going to be an interesting dinner.