Marc's POV

Once we are dressed, I open the door and Alex is standing there waiting for us. He is standing there with the biggest grin on his face.

"You all are very loud. Did you know that? Bunch of freaks!" he says.

We laugh as we head out and I pat him on the back.

"I just can't get enough of her man. Besides we needed to christen the new office."

Riley blushes and Alex just shakes his head as we head out of the bakery and lock up. We then head down to the restaurant where everyone is waiting for us. Everyone congratulates us as we sit down and we order our drinks. We sit and talk awhile and we notice Mr. Mancini walks over the table.
"Good afternoon, Russo family. I see congratulations are in order again." he says with a smile.

"Yes, Marc and Riley here are engaged. So why are you here Antonio? Have a seat and let's chat." Angelo says.

"Yell, I would rather talk back at your estate, but I guess we are safe here. I have gotten word that O'Malley is gearing up to attack your home in about a month. Now I am here to offer you some of my men for protection." He answers.

"Thank you and they can stay at the house. I have room in the guest house out back. I will bring my men in." Damian adds.

"You can have my guys too, son. I don't have many. We will stay and help you out." Angelo offers.

"This little piece of shit has been a thorn in the side of a lot of people so it's time we take him out." Mr. Mancini says angrily.

"I agree. He has already hurt my fiance and for that he will pay." Marc interjects.

"We, with that I shall leave you to your meal, and I will be in touch soon. If my spies find anything else out, I will bet you know."

"Thank you Mr. Mancini. I look forward to hearing from you."Damian says as they all stand.

"I will send my men soon." With that he heads out. My wonderful Christmas day was left with him.

"What's up, princess. I say as I look over to see that far away look in Riley's eyes. She was so happy before.

"Just thinking how bad this day has turned. It started out so wonderful."

"Princess, in this business there will always be someone trying to take over or kill one of us. It is the nature of the business. I know I got you."

"If this is how it is going to be, I want a gun and be trained on how to use it."

That is no problem. I will actually feel better that you will be carrying."

We all sit and talk about other things, trying to forget about what we will be facing soon. Marc said he will take me out to the gun range that Damian has on the property in a few days.Cas said she wanted to come too. This set off an argument between the two. Damian didn't want her in harm's way and she didn't want to be hiding. He finally gave in and said he would teach her but when the time came she would be in the panic room. Once we are all finished we head back to the house. We all head into Damian's office and sit down. His dad sits behind the desk and Damian sits on the couch with Cas' feet in his lap while he rubs them. Marc sits in a chair near the desk and I sit in his lap. He places one hand around my waist and the other is on my thigh rubbing it.

"So what do you know about this guy?" Angelo asks.

"Not much. Jake hacked into some things and found he is just getting a foothold here in the states. He has taken over some smaller gangs and a few mafia. He has just about been run out of Ireland. Especially since he took Riley. He is hoping to make a name for himself here."Damian explains.

"How many men do you have, son?"

"I have about fifty scattered around."

"Have them all here in a couple weeks. I have about twenty, and I can call a few OG's. Didn't think I would have any men did you since I retired? Still gotta have some protection son."

"Mancini will be in contact with us after the holidays and we will know how many he is going to send us."

While we are discussing the future melee, Riley gets up and heads out with mom. Cas eventually gets up to follow. We sit and discuss what we need to do for another hour or two and finally head out to see our women in the kitchen. Riley was busy baking while the other women were helping. Cas helped as much as she could because she couldn't stay on her feet for long.

"Smells wonderful in here." I say as we enter the kitchen.

"Yeah, Cas' parents should be here any minute and I told them I would make desserts for them."

"That must be them. I will go get them." Cas says as she tries to stand up.

"No, doll. You sit. I will go and bring them here." He heads off to the door and I hear talking as they soon are headed back to the kitchen with presents in hand.

"Mom, Dad! You made it!" Cas says excitedly.

"Sweetheart, oh my look at you! You are positively glowing!" Mrs Hudson says as she hurriedly walks over to her daughter and hugs her tightly.

"Thank you mom. YOu'll get to meet your grandson next month."

"Oh, how exciting!"

"Where's Ben?" Cas asks her mom.

"He couldn't make it dear. He is spending Christmas with his girlfriend and her family."

"Ben has a girlfriend?"

"Yes, you would know if you came around more often." Mr. Hudson said, irritated. Damian sat quiet as I saw his jaw clench.

"Mom, and dad, you know Damian, my fiance?"

"Wow, when did this happen?" her mom asks with a smile on her face. "Welcome to the family." she says as she gives him a hug.

"Can't say I'm too happy about this news. I have done some research on you. Not anything good." Mr. Hudson says with a scowl.

"Dad!"

"I am sure most of what you have found is not true. I just want to let you know, I love your daughter. She will always be protected along with our children."

"Children?" Cas asks.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"I will put as many babies in you as you will let me." He kissed her cheek and smiled. She blushed in return.

"Hey guys! Miss me! I can smell I haven't missed desserts!" Alex says as he bounces into the kitchen.

"You never miss sweets do you?" I ask.

"Nope, never."

We all head into the living room and Cas opens the presents from her parents. We all sit and talk and hear stories from when Cass was a little girl and could see her blush. Her dad sat quietly as he observed everyone. He seemed like an uptight man and didn't like that his daughter had hooked up with a tattooed mafia man. I think he may have an inkling of who Damian and I are and doesn't like what his daughter is getting herself into.

"Cassandra, may I talk to you in private for a moment." Mr. Hudson asks.

"Sure dad." She slowly gets up and they walk into another room.

"What's up, dad?"

I don't like that man you are mixed up with."

"I love him dad, and he loves me."

"He doesn't love you. He only loves the idea and that you are carrying his heir."

"No, dad! He does love me and he takes care of me! He will always be there for me! Unlike you!"

"I have always been there for you!"

"LIke you have been for the last five years! When I was thrown out by my boyfriend! You wouldn't let me come home! You never helped me, when I asked! At least he takes care of me!"

"Come home with us. We will take care of you, and he can take that bastard child when it arrives!"

"No! I am staying with him and my family here! You only came to see me to get me to come home didn't you!"

"You deserve better!"

"I have better!"

We all heard the yelling and went into the other room.

"How dare you come into my home and accuse me of any of this. I love your daughter. I told you this, and I meant every word I said! If you don't agree with this you can leave. I won't have my fiancee stressing about anything." Damian says as he storms into the room.

"Fine, Danielle we are leaving!" Mr Hudson says as he starts to leave.

"I'm sorry dear. Your father is upset. Please talk to me soon." Mrs. Hudson pleads.

"Now, Danielle!"
They grab their things and walk out the door. Cas immediately wraps her arms around Damian and begins to sob. He strokes her hair and kisses her head.

"Your okay, doll. You don't need them if they are going to act like that. You have all of us and that's all you need." Damian says as he strokes her head.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't think my dad could be so mean. To talk about our son like that, it's hurtful. I don't think he will ever know them."

"They'll come around when they see how Damian is. Give them time." Riley offers.

"I'm going to take her up to our room. She needs to rest after that. I will see everyone in the morning." Damian says as he starts to lead her out.

"Good night you two." Riley says quietly.

They head upstairs and we all sit back down.

"What a pompous ass!" Alex says angrily.

"I never liked him." Riley sighs.

"Have you met him before." I ask.

"Yes, and he wasn't any nicer then."

"That poor girl. Having a horrible father like that." Lucia says as she shakes her head.

"She was hoping that this Christmas he would be happy with her. She is getting married and giving him a grandson. I guess he will never be happy with her. She said one time that he had told her she had been a disappointment since she was born." Riley adds with a tear in her eye.

"That asshole. I'll kill him myself." Alex says as he gets more angry.

"Calm down, Alex. It won't help anyone. Besides I think Damian can handle it." Angelo adds.

"Well, it's getting late. I'm going to head to bed after that one. Lucia says as she gets up and heads upstairs.

"I'll be right up darling."

"Alright, so we hit the firing range tomorrow?" I ask Riley.

"That would be great!"

"What? You gonna handle a real gun?" Alex says with a smirk.

"Yes, I need to learn to protect myself."

"Hell yeah, so you are training her to be our new enforcer?"

No man. O'Malley is coming for us and she wants to be ready. It was her idea." I say to Alex as I shake my head.

"Nice one, welcome to the team." Alex smiles as he pats her shoulder.

"Tomorrow we start the training. I will make some calls and get things rolling. Goodnight and see you in the morning." Angelo says as heads heads up to their room.

"I'm tired too, love. Let's go to bed." Riley says as she stifles a yawn.

"Right behind you, babe."

"Do I need earplugs tonight?" Alex asks as he laughs.

"No, I'm exhausted." Riley says with a scowl.

"Are you sure, after what I heard at the shop, I may invest in some. That's the loudest you have ever been."

"It was a celebration, and we were celebrating very well." I said trying to change the subject.

"I could tell."

Goodnight, Alex!" she says as she gets up to leave.

"Good night Ri, congrats again. See you in the morning.

"Good night!" I add.

We head up to the room and get ready for bed. We crawl under the covers and she snuggles unto me with her head on my chest.

"Good night, fiancee." I whisper.

"I love the sound of that. Say it again."

"Fiancee."

MMmmm, I love you fiance."

"I love you too." I kiss the top of her head and close my eyes. I soon hear the soft breaths and know that she is sleeping and am asleep soon after