His Caged Dove -Mafia Romance (BOOK ONE)

Fifteen: Dove

Fifteen:

Dove

Laughter.

That was the first thing that caught my attention when I entered the grand ballroom where I would be spending a few hours in. Then, silence when everyone's eyes land onto me. Some eyes widened, some snickered, and others whispered. The room now was full of curious eyes with my arms looped around Gedeon's elbow. I resisted the urge to hide, even though my heart spiked along with the rush of goosebumps of being stared at.

I hated the eyes.

Instead, I resorted to unconsciously gripping harder onto Gedeon's arm in hopes that he wouldn't mind. I didn't know what he did, or perhaps if everyone lost interest later because I slowly felt the eyes that were on me fading away with each small step into the room. Gathering enough courage, I peered up and it seemed everyone went back like nothing happened for the most part. But I knew it was going to be a long night; I could already tell.

"Look who's here!"

"Oh, my goodness!" Anastasia squealed while everyone turned to see who it was. A man in his late fifties smiled wide and broad as she threw her arms around him. He was tall, slender, and well fit for a man of his age. Even his slicked back grey hair and his beard didn't hide his chiseled and sharp jawline. Aleksei walked over as the man patted him hard on the back before head locking him. "I didn't think you'd make it!"

"Well of course I would," he said, throwing his head back in a hearty laugh. "I wouldn't miss anything to see my favorites. My little sparrow and bear. You look so big now."

"It's only been half a year," Anastasia rebutted with a huff before her eyes widened when someone else caught her attention. "Is that Maria over there?"

She didn't allow anyone to answer her before she let go of the man she was hugging and darted off. Anastasia's attention and personality were always bright and short lived, which I found to be endearing. It reminded me of my own Mother, kind, warm, and always looking for more. Gedeon and Timor sighed at her but didn't try to stop her from doing her own thing.

"Always the hyperactive one, isn't she?" the man mused with a dotting look in his eyes. "I swear, she gets every single personality from her mother."

Everyone quiets for a moment and I felt like I was invading a moment. A moment that shouldn't be happening in the first place if it wasn't for my family. A brief moment later, the man's attention fell back to us and he chuckled. "You're seriously not going to greet your old grandpapa?"

"Hello Dedushka," Aleksei smiled, giving him on the side of the cheek before turning to me. "Dove, this is me and Ana's grandfather."

"Everyone just calls me Deda, and you may do the same. That's Russian for grandpapa in case you're wondering," he explained, letting go of his two grandchildren to take a closer look at me. His lips were pressed together in a line, eyeing me from head to toe before finally craning his neck to the side. "Are you really an Italian? The daughter of Genovese?"

I nodded just as Gedeon commented, "Not anymore, technically."

"Gedeon, glad to hear you actually making a conversation this year rather than sulking in a corner," he said, a smile dangling from the corner of his lips. He shaked hands with Gedeon firmly before he turned his attention back to me. There was curiosity and wonder in his eyes that reminded me so much of Anastasia. I guess that's where she gets it from as well. It was like I was the new shining toy. "Please introduce me to your wife."

"Well—"

"Is she mute?" Deda asked, cutting Gedeon off with concern.

"No," Gedeon answered, deadpanned. I could tell he was trying hard not to snap at this man who only looked amused by him. When Deda crotched to give me a closer look, I edged closer to Gedeon to help my speeding heart. I hoped Gedeon was the opposite of Robert in all aspects, including lending me out to his friends and family for a favor. Gedeon stiffened next to me, moving his body ever so slightly that I was more hidden than before. Deda stilled seeing my reaction and slowly takes a step back with a friendly smile.