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“They’ll love you.”
Eden might not know it yet, but as my girlfriend, she’s one of the most protected women in New York.
I bring the R8 to a stop in front of the ballet company, where a red carpet has been rolled up.
The two men who’ve been hired as valets open our doors, and when we climb out of the vehicle, cameras start flashing.
Eden dips her head low as she hurries to my side. I wrap my arm around her lower back and hold her close as we walk from reporter to reporter.
“Is it true the show is sold out?” one asks as flashes blind us.
“Yes,” I answer, a professional smile on my face.
“Who’s the woman by your side,” another reporter shouts over the crowd.
Pride fills my chest as I say, “My girlfriend, Eden Taylor.”
When a reporter calls out, “Is the ballet company a front for money laundering?” I usher Eden into the building before the fucker can give away that I’m Cosa Nostra.
“Wow. That wasn’t intense at all,” she murmurs by my side while a nervous expression tightens her features.
“Luckily, it doesn’t happen often,” I say as I lead her to the waiting area outside the auditorium.
Seeing Renzo, Skylar, Angelo, and Vittoria, I walk to them.
It takes a moment to introduce Eden to my friends and their better halves, then I say, “Thanks for coming.”
Angelo nods. “Damiano said he might be a couple of minutes late.”
“Evening, everyone,” Franco says behind us.
I turn around and shake his hand, then quickly introduce him and Samantha to Eden, who’s glued to my side, her eyes darting between my friends.
Meeting them all at once can be a bit intimidating.
A server offers us a flute of champagne, which Samantha and Vittoria decline because they’re both pregnant.
“I love your dress,” Skylar tells Eden.
“Thank you,” my woman answers, a smile tugging at her red lips. “You all look beautiful too.”
“If I didn’t force Skylar to change, she would’ve come in her chef’s uniform,” Renzo mutters.
“Oh, right. We were at your restaurant a while back,” Eden mentions. “The food was great.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Seeing how my friends are trying to make Eden feel comfortable makes me love them so much more.
People part like the sea, then I see the reason why. Damiano walks toward us with a thunderous expression darkening his face.
When he reaches us, I mutter, “Can you please smile? You’re scaring my guests.”
He scowls at me, then says, “We’re meeting at my place after the show. There’s shit we have to discuss.”
I widen my eyes at him before nodding at Eden. “Work can wait. This is my girlfriend, Eden Taylor.”
Damiano just nods in her direction, not sparing her a glance.
