The Mafia's Secret Daughter ( #1 in the Mafia Series )

eighteen

( Tori in outfit above )
{ Tori's POV }

Everyone is just starring at me looking stunned.. Greta fake coughs making everyone snaps out of whatever trance they were in.
I don't know if I should blush or walk back up to my room. I hate that kind of attention.
Luca offers his hand to help me take the last step..which I accept. Although I've already walked down all the other stairs without an issue. I guess it's a thing that gentlemen do.

Angelina and Elena quickly come up to me and walk around me before coming back to face me.

"You look drop dead gorgeous!" Angelina says

"Stunning as always." Elena adds in

"Thank you both! Greta was a big help." I say

As I gesture for a very nervous looking Greta to come down the steps and stand beside me. Which she hesitantly does.

"Greta, you did a phenomenal job."
Elena compliments

Greta slightly bows her head and says "Thank you ma'am." with a smile even though they are around the same age.

"Tori I know you are probably excited about the party, and your first taste of the mafia outside of this house..but it is dangerous."
Riccardo warns

I wanted to laugh and say duh but I didn't want to be disrespectful so I nod in understanding.

"We want you to have fun but also know that it isn't a Cinderella type of ball.. you'll have to be on guard at all times." Francesco says

I see Lorenzo raising an eyebrow at me almost expecting me to say something, but to his surprise.. I just nod in understanding again.

"Every little thing is to be taken seriously. It isn't a relaxing dinner or a party to get drunk at. It's business." Valente adds in

I can see Diego smirk from where I'm standing, and Luca gently squeezes my hand that I didn't even know he was still holding, almost as to get me to say something.

"I understand and appreciate all of your concern. I'll take what you said under advisement." I say simply and calmly

"Now that all of you are done with your warnings..we should be going now." Luca says
as he lets go of my hand and puts his on my back and starts leading me to the door.

He leads me out to a fancier black suv and Marco jumps in the passenger seat, because they have a driver tonight. Luca opens the door  to the backseat and lets me climb across first before he gets in beside me. We start riding and at first it was like dead silence. It wasn't awkward just dreadfully quiet.

<•>

"Is there anything else I should know? Like who is attending or hosting this party?" I ask

"Stefan Lombardi, and his wife Vera are hosting. They are in charge of the gangs across Italy, their work is smaller, but we like to call them our business partners." Luca informs me

"Good to know." I say

"Stefan is from Italy and a few of his family members have been in the mafia. The Italian mafia actually goes way back within his bloodline as well. However he is not in the mafia himself. He chose a business path for his life. Vera, is actually Russian, and Adrian is her step brother. They are the same age but Vera's mother was forced into marrying Anatoly despite him killing her late husband, Vera's father. A few years ago Adrian killed her mother, and Vera escaped and seeked refuge in Italy." Marco explains their back story