Bet You're Mine: A Lesbian Billionaire Fake Girlfriend Romance(9)

Heather is so normal, and my family is…well, not. She’s sweet and innocent, and a civilian on top of that. She has no idea about the kind of dark and twisted world I live in. I feel like I’m getting ready to throw her to the wolves.

I know my dad gave his approval when he met us at breakfast two weeks ago, but there’s a part of me that worries he might change his mind. If he does that, and tries to force Heather and I apart, I don’t know what I’ll do.

I’ve never felt this way about someone before. The thought of not being with her is crushing. What if Heather is more than just the bet that started this whole thing?

Pushing that thought aside, I concentrate on the road. Of course, this is just about the bet. Heather is sweet and all, but she really can’t be worth risking my position in the family. The unspoken words sound hollow in my own head.

Could I really be falling for her? I let my eyes wonder from the road for a brief second. Heather is sitting quietly in the seat next to me. She twists her hands together nervously.

I reach over and place one hand over hers. “It’s going to be fine. They’re going to love you.”

“I hope so,” she whispers. How did I let this get so out of control? The thought that I could hurt her sends pangs of guilt crashing through me.

When we arrive at the mansion, I pull Heather protectively against me. These aren’t wolves. These are hyenas, I realize, as I introduce her to my family.

Stefano gives me a knowing look filled with more animosity and vindictiveness than I ever would have believed he was capable. I knew he was an ass, but this is a whole new level. “So, this is your little…friend.” His eyes move a slow trail from the tip of Heather’s knock off heels, to the top of her wavy curls. His lips pull into a sneer as if he’s caught a whiff of something rotten.

Apollo and Daniella sidle up to me and Heather looks every bit the deer trapped in headlights as she takes in their intimidating forms. They both look as if they’re about to cause trouble until I shoot them my nastiest, don’t mess with me, look.

Daniella’s eyes go wide as if a lightbulb has suddenly gone off inside her head. “It’s nice to see you again, Heather.” She says demurely.

Apollo gives her a quizzical look and she just shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly. He follows her lead. “Hey, Heather, how’s it going?”

“Fine,” Heather swallows hard. “It’s nice to see you both.”

Various other family members come over to say hi and shake Heather’s hand. They all wear the same skeptical look, but I’m only concerned with my brother and cousins at the moment.

“Heather, I’m so pleased you could join us tonight.” My father’s voice booms from the dining room. He walks over and reaches for her hand, shaking it fervently. “I’m glad to see you again. Come, let us enjoy this delicious meal.”

We filter into the formal dining room, everyone taking a seat around the table. I pull Heather down so that she’s seated between my father and me. Daniella chooses the seat next to me with Apollo to her other side.

My brother chooses the seat directly across from Heather, his eyes never wavering from her face. I don’t notice where everyone else lands.

My heart feels as if it’s going to burst right through my chest. The tension is so thick in the air that it’s making it hard to breath. I’m unable to relax, waiting for the bomb to drop.

My father and Heather don’t seem to notice. He’s talking to her eagerly. He almost seems…happy. Who is this man?

“You need to eat more. You are too skinny,” he says to Heather, motioning to the food around the table.

A crimson blush streaks across Heathers cheeks, as she looks down at her plate which is already piled with food. I nudge her playfully with my elbow.

“I am sorry your adorable little girl could not join us tonight. I would very much like to see her again. Next time, of course, she will come,” my father says.

“She has a daughter,” Stefano scoffs.

“Yes, very lovely child. She made me laugh,” my father states.

“You laughed!” My brother says, shocked. He looks back at Heather almost angrily.

I was worried about subjecting Emma to my family. Worried that something would happen that would scar her for life. Things seem to be going pretty smoothly, though. Perhaps my fears were unwarranted.

As dinner comes to an end, I feel myself starting to relax. My father suggests that we move into the smoking room for after dinner drinks. Of course, we all oblige.

My father forgoes his usual chair, instead choosing to sit next to Heather on the sofa. He continues his bombardment of her with more questions about Emma. This is a side of him that I’ve never seen before, it’s both delightful and unnerving all at the same time.

Even my brother seems to be on his best behavior with my father present. He wouldn’t dare outright sabotage me in front of our father. He knows better. Maybe everything will be alright after all.

I settle in next to Heather, enjoying the feel of her body pressed next to mine. Holding her hand in mine, I trace circles along the lines on her palm, as a feeling of contentment settles over me.

Is this really how it could be? With my father so obviously accepting of her, would it actually be possible to let this turn into something more, something real?





Fifteen





Heather





Smoke billows all around us and I cough lightly. Rafaela pulls me close and rubs my back for good measure, whispering to me that she hopes the cigars are the only thing making me uncomfortable. Dinner with the family went better than I could have imagined, but the night isn’t over yet.

Though Salvatore was kind and asked innocent questions about Emma, the rest of Rafaela’s family seems serious. Is it me they don’t like, or the fact that their relative is dating another woman? Nonetheless, I try my hardest to fit in and stay positive.

I clasp my full wine glass and look to Rafaela for reassurance that I’m doing alright. She nods, a sexy smirk gracing her face. “I’m so glad I got to meet all of you, and dinner was wonderful.”

Salvatore smiles warmly and brings my free hand to his lips. “The pleasure is all ours my dear.” A phone rings in the distance, and Salvatore seems to perk up at the unusual ringtone.

“You should get that father, it might be one of our associates.” Stefano’s lips are curled into a frown as he enters the room, and a feeling of uneasiness washes over me. Of all Rafaela’s relatives, he makes me the most uneasy.

Salvatore nods, raising one last toast to a successful night before bowing out gracefully. The remaining few look awkwardly around, not knowing what else to say in the patriarch’s absence. Finally, Apollo and Daniella arrive and stand protectively beside Stefano.

“Sit down, why don’t you? We’re all family.” Rafaela tries to remain calm but I catch her fist clenching against her seat.

“Don’t mind if we do.” Daniella sits right beside me, making it a point to brush against my thigh as she settles into the couch cushions.

As Apollo addresses me he flanks Stefano, who decides to sit on the other side of Rafaela. She doesn’t seem too pleased. “So Heather, tell us more about yourself.”

With a smile and a good attitude, I gratify them with a kind response. “Of course! What would you like to know?”

“Too easy.” I hear Apollo chuckle under his breath, and Rafaela narrows her eyes.

“Calm down dear cousin we’re just trying to get to know your lovely girlfriend better.” Daniella picks up a bottle of red wine and pours more in my glass, though it’s already full.

Though she’s on edge, Rafaela nods. “Fine.”

After getting approval, the cousins descend like sharks, wasting no time revealing their true motives. “Let’s start with Emma. How ashamed were you to be a single mother?”

Rafaela’s eyes bulge and her nostrils flare. “Back off!”

I rest my hand on her shoulder, used to the criticism. “There’s no shame in it. Having Emma has made me a stronger woman, and now when I face a challenge I rarely back down.”

“Feisty, this one!” Apollo hollers, slapping his knees as he laughs. “So I assume as a strong and independent woman, you have no money troubles?”

“That’s none of your business!” Rafaela jabs her finger in her cousin’s direction.

Stefano shakes his head. “Heather can answer her own questions.”

“Those aren’t questions, they’re harassment.” Her eyes are dark, and she grabs my hand. “Come on, let’s go.”

Daniella pouts, pushing her cousin back down lightly. “No, don’t leave. We were just starting to have a good time together.”

“I’d like to stay.” I blurt, causing everyone in the room to quiet instantly. The pressure is on, and I want to do everything possible to pass this test of meeting the family with flying colors.

Stefano grins, but there’s something dark in his eyes. “See? Your guest wants to stay, so who are you to deny her that right?

Rafaela looks at me, her brown eyes wild. “Are you sure?” She whispers, squeezing my hand.

“I’m sure.” I squeeze back.

“So about your financial situation, I was just asking to make sure you weren’t using my dear cousin for money.” Something tells me Apollo is hiding something, but I answer anyways.