Chapter 3 – Dinner

Rafael watched his son as he watched Angel and he had to smile to himself.  Oh, he had no intention of changing anything; he was going to let them figure that one out.

                “Don Antonio,” Damian said, holding out his hand, “a pleasure to meet you.”

                “Likewise, Damian; Rafael, nice to see you again.  Please, let me introduce Rosa, your fiancé,” Antonio said, placing his hand on her back.  Damian glanced at the green eye beauty and smiled, trying his best not to be disappointed. 

                “Excuse me, Don, but we are missing Angel, thought he would be here for this.”

                “No, we are not.”  Damian tuned to the gorgeous woman, who smiled.  God, her voice was so soothing and sweet and he had to groan as the mental image came to mind of her beneath him, screaming in pleasure in NOT that sweet voice.  “I’m Angel,” she said, holding out her hand to him, which he numbly took.  That was not what he was expecting by any means.  “Please, everyone sit.”

                Rafael patted his sons back, enjoying the shock on his face.  He had wanted to change the contract, but this really was Damian’s game.  He believed that if Antonio wanted it, the contract would change with no hassles, but what really would be up to these two.  And Rafael was no fool, he saw the moment’s pause as Angel took in his son, she was going to have a hard fight with this one.

                “Don, would you like to take the reins on this one?”  She pushed the hair back behind her ear and both men caught sight of the scar, which to Damian, only enhanced her beauty.  Oh, it was an ugly scar, no doubt, but it made her eyes burn even brighter.

                “By all means, Angel, this is your deal.”  And with that, she turned back to the two gentlemen.  And did she have a hell of a time trying not to stare at the gorgeous man before her.  Never, in her life, had she been jealous of her sister or wanted something her sister had, until now.

                “Rafael, Damian, was there any questions?”

                “How long is the engagement?”

                “That is up to you and Rosa, but I would think a year would be a great, or shorter.”

                “And plans for the wedding?”

                “Are between you two.  If you’d like to hire someone that is fine too.”  Angel folded her hands and rested her forearms on the table.  “I know you may think we are being pushy, but that’s the last thing I want.  I would like you two to get comfortable with each other before committing.  I also have no longing to control your wedding or engagement, regardless of what I am, or who I am.  I value that you word is binding and once you sign, you will go through with it.”

                “And if you giving us this leeway proves we aren’t trust worthy?”

                “Make no mistake, Damian, I may be a female, but I have no problem being a ruthless hunter that will attack those who betray me or my family.”  Antonio smiled at his daughter, at the way her back stood straight, at how her voice still held that sweet nature.  She would do exactly as needed and not bat an eyelash; he had seen her in action enough times.  And through it all, his favorite moments of watching her at work were times like these, when she knew people underestimated her and never backed down; actually, that sweet, calm nature putting more fear in them than anger and shouting.

                “I’m a man of my word Angel; I just don’t know too many people who have such trust.”

                “I will trust anyone unless they give me cause not to,” she said with a shrug and a smile.  Antonio grabbed the contract and signed, followed by Rosa and Rafael.  But when it got to Damian, he hesitated.  Not because he didn’t want to, but he really wanted to change the name from Rosa to Angel, however, he didn’t think she would go for that, so he signed.  “Bene,” Angel said as she took the paperwork.  “Damian, my mother is having a dinner tomorrow so you can meet the family, please join us.”

                “Of course.”

                “Great, now that this is settled, shall we order lunch,” Antonio said, clasping his hands.

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                She finished applying the eye liner as she looked in the mirror.  She was struggling, she could admit that, she wasn’t sure she could handle this dinner and had come up with every play in her mind to get out of it.  But she knew her mom, who would be very vocal about her not being there.  Okay, sure, it was her deal, but she hadn’t expected to like Damian.  And here she was, acting like some child virgin.  Granted, she maybe the next Don of the family, but her dad would kill her if he knew she wasn’t.

                She sighed, fixed her hair and then left the guest bedroom and walked down the stairs, stopping as Damian stood at the bottom.  He turned to her and eyed her from the top of her high ponytail, over her black tank top, past her blue jean shorts, down her legs and finally resting on her sneakers.  She knew her mother wouldn’t approve but she had to opt for comfortable rather than nice.  Although, Damian looked just as comfortable in his tight shirt and black jeans, just slightly dresser.

                “Hello Damian.”

                “Hello Angel, is that okay?”

                “I have no title.  And around family, Angel is fine.  Unless you ask my mother, who hates that we have nicknames; it’s actually Angelina.”

                “No one but her calls you that?”

                “Right, just her.”

                “Why?”

                “Growing up, it was just easier got us to say nick names rather than the full name; damn Italians and their long names.”  He laughed at that.

                “I have five names and when I was in trouble, I would hear them all.  Then I’d get into even more trouble ‘cause my mom would be mad for having to say the whole thing.”  She laughed as she started walking and he had to stop his groan.  God above, even her laugh was amazing.  And what was scary for him, she didn’t know it; she had no clue how sexy she was.

                “Mama,” she said as she walked into the dining room and kissed the woman’s cheek, “meet Damian.  Damian, my mother, Carolina.”

                “I see where your daughters get their beauty from.”  She smiled at him, her cheeks turning a slight pink

                “Thank you.  Come, sit.  I believe you are forced to sit next to Rosalina and Angelina.”

                “Such a tough lot to be between two gorgeous females.”  He smiled at Rosa before sitting down.

                “Across from Rosa is Junior, well Antonio Jr, to his left is Gio, and finally Ricardo, but Ric,” Angel said, eyeing her brothers to behave.

                “Honestly, we gave you wonderful names and yet everyone but Gio shortened them,” their mom huffed, causing the group to chuckle, easting the tension that was there.

-----

                Two hours later, they sat in the living room talking, going over little things about their families, sharing stories while sipping their whiskey.

                “Angel?”  She turned to Damian with a lifted brow.  “How is that you became the one to control this?”

                “I’m the oldest.”

                “But a female.”  Antonio clapped a hand on Damian’s shoulder and looked at Angel with pride.

                “Female she might be, but trust me, no one here matches her strength in wits or with a gun.  Angel is either the best friend you could have, or the worst enemy.”  Everyone laughed at that but Damian just kept watching her, who watched him.

                “Well, this has been fun, family, but I must go,” Rosa said as she stood up.  Damian glanced at her, seeing the small frame and quiet voice that both women got from their mother. 

                “I’ll walk out with you,” he said, thanking the family before following Rosa out.  Angel peeked out the curtain, watching the couple.  She took a deep breath, wanting to scream.  She had liked him, liked his manner throughout diner and for once, she yelled mentally at how the fates had failed her.

                “I don’t know why you are sulking, cara sorella (dear sister), you could as easily put your name in that contract.”  With that, Angel spun around and decked Ric, who was her second in command.

                “You know I can’t!  We need this and Rosa has the beauty he needs.  Stop saying foolish things!”  Ric rubbed his arm, watching his sister huff away.  She couldn’t afford to be foolish, but she was a fool indeed, he thought if she ignored her gut on this.