Owning the Mafia Don

LucienProperty belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

His eyes could not tear themselves off the graceful, curvaceous figure of his wife as she glided about, serving, smiling graciously as the guests made appreciative sounds, wolfing down the food. His eyes shifted to roam across the table. Beside him sat Schwartz, his golden head turned to look at Proserpina as he praised the chestnut soup lavishly. Beatrice, scurrying about with the soup tureen, immediately stopped to replenish his bowl. Proserpina laughed in protest,

‘You know that there is a main course to follow, James!’

Aiyana sat beside Schwartz, her hard black eyes darting around the table occasionally, watching, observing, and filing away information for later. The woman would never keep her FBI skills away, thought Lucien in exasperation.

And of course, Danielle and Grace sat with Rachel and her friend, the Vietnamese woman who seemed to be enjoying the food too. Then there was the tiny blonde woman at the far end of the table who looked decidedly ill at ease: Melissa, the woman who was loved by Tristan Lord. Lucien’s eyes flickered over her disinterestedly. His gaze as always was drawn to his wife who was keeping an eye on Ria and Piers who sat close to him. Little Claude had obviously thrown a mighty tantrum and he was also perched on a high chair, watching the proceedings in an important manner.

The food kept coming and again, he felt amazed at his wife’s culinary talents. How did she manage it? He thought as she turned away to give her final instructions to old Beatrice before slipping into the seat beside him. He insisted that she sit beside him when they had guests. And no one dared to flout his instructions.

Schwartz, who had now begun to tuck into the main course, the casserole with the delicious dumplings that melted in his mouth reached across to raise a glass of whiskey in the air.

“A toast to the most gorgeous, most versatile cook in the world, our Proserpina!’ he cried.

Danielle who had been drinking before she arrived, now raised her voice and hollered, ‘Yaaay! I second that.’

Rachel, who had been smiling at her lover, nodded her head vigorously as she said, in a more cultured way, ‘ Definitely! This pie is simply out of the world!’

Ria was clapping effusively while Piers watched politely. Melissa was looking at Proserpina, wide-eyed and smiling in something like awe and Lucien gripped his wife’s waist and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her hard on her surprised mouth. She blushed furiously,

‘My Woman,’ he growled when he raised his head.

‘Come on, mate! She looks tired, let her eat now!’ cried Schwartz in protest, beaming.

Danielle added, her voice slightly slurred.

“Or he might just drag her out for another…’

Grace must have squeezed her arm warningly for she stopped abruptly. But there was a moment of embarrassed silence. Then Schwartz gave a shout of laughter and cried,

“Boss, I am glad to be back, it’s just like old times.’

Proserpina had clambered off his lap, blushing furiously. She quickly sank into the chair beside him and Beatrice continued serving, shooting dark glances at Lucien.

*

Proserpina

It always filled me with a huge amount of satisfaction when I saw my friends eating the food I had prepared, with such a lot of enthusiasm. I made to rise to serve them again but Lucien swiftly reached out, gripping my wrist with his large hand and I sat still.

‘Stay there.’ he growled and I felt Aiyana’s gaze on me as I abided. My scarf slipped slightly and I discreetly tugged it back. But I knew that some of my friends at the table had taken note and were smiling indulgently.

Particularly the sharp-eyed Danielle. I prayed that she would not open her mouth and make some inappropriate comments. She did seem rather high.

Schwartz glanced at his mentor and Boss and wondered. He knew Lucien Delano was like a bull in heat when he went on a sexual rampage. And judging from the looks he was sending his wife and her face which was radiant and tired all at once, he had not been able to keep his hands off her since they had returned. Schwartz had also noticed the love bites and had felt a pang of jealousy.

Aiyana met his gaze and Schwartz smiled at her glibly. He wished he felt some sort of passion when he looked at her but he only saw a friend. He guessed that she felt the same.

*

By the time the apple tartin was served, the twins had left the room. They had been served their treat and had been escorted upstairs to the huge bunk beds in the room adjoining the nursery. With the arrival of the youngest members of the St. Claire family, Lucien had made sure that his eldest children were given a larger room to themselves.

The house had been extended, and a wing was added on. It was, thought Proserpina sometimes, a real monstrosity! But the warmth and the laughter indoors dispelled every notion of haphazardness in the construction.

*

As the guests had their digestifs, Proserpina sat beside her husband while he sipped his Scotch. The topic veered to Rachel’s approaching wedding.

‘We are planning to hold it on the beach,’ said Rachel grinning as she held her lover’s hands. Liam Ghiang nodded vigorously and smiled.

“Yes, I have already chosen my outfit.’ she beamed, her large spectacles hiding her crinkling eyes

Melissa had left earlier, retiring to her room, citing tiredness.

Always the one to ask the most awkward questions, at the most inopportune moments, Danielle who was sitting back on a recliner, had been watching Proserpina, narrow eyed. Now she said,

“You never had a grand wedding, did you, girl?’ asked Danielle addressing Proserpina, and Lucien felt his wife stiffen. She sat up suddenly, ramrod stiff and he noticed the vague looks of concern that were exchanged by Grace and Rachel.

“Umm.. no….’ said Proserpina, bending her head. Lucien frowned and glanced at Schwartz. The younger man’s face echoed the pain he could see on Grace’s face.

What the f*ck was going on? , thought Lucien, mystified.

And then he realized that his wife was upset, but why???

*

The rest of the evening was rather muted. Danielle and Grace left soon after, with the latter driving since Danielle was deeply in her cups. But she threw her arms around Proserpina and gave her a kiss as she left.

Aiyana was the next to leave despite Proserpina’s entreaties that she could stay.

“I need to get back to the ranch tomorrow,’ she said with a small smile. ‘Been away for way too long.’

And, unexpectedly, she hugged Proserpina.

Then, looking almost embarrassed by this sudden show of emotion, she left in a hurry.

*

Schwartz remained. It had not been difficult to persuade him. he already had his room and the kids had insisted that he remain.

He looked tired as he yawned but he stepped to Proserpina and said softly,

‘That was a superb dinner, hen.’ And then, lightly chucking her chin, he added, in a softer, lower tone,

“Don’t mind Danielle.’ Proserpina smiled up at him but the hurt was evident on her features.

Lucien watched, frowning, his hands in his pockets, rocking on his heels.

*

Lucien

Later that night, as he watched her change, he noticed the way her mouth seemed to be turning down at the corners. But when she noticed him looking her way, she smiled brightly.

“What is it?’ he growled as she lay down, nestling against his big body.

‘Woman!’ he barked when he got no response and immediately tilted her face up to his, and nuzzled her neck. Rolling over, he pulled down the neck of her night suit, sucking her nape. But she sighed wearily, leaning against him.

“I …I do not feel good…’ she said in a soft, dull voice.

He scowled; she was upset about something and he guessed that it had something to do with Danielle’s lay remark.

They lay in silence and after a while, she sighed and relaxed in his arms, drifting off to sleep after a while peacefully, her cheek on her palm, like a child.

But he knew she was bothered by something.

He frowned.

He would find out.