33 Chapter 33

After public introductions and an announcement from his father, the party was going as planned.

Luke had calmed things down and convinced Poppy to just go along with everything as if nothing was wrong. By the time dinner rolled around, she was starving. She had been sick most of the day and now her stomach was grumbling for some food. It had been this way for days and she was only getting worse as time went on.

Sitting by her proposed groom, she was quiet as Luke chatted with the people at their table. She really didn't have much to say and didn't know anyone there. It was odd for Claudia to be so quiet, but not for Poppy. She didn't have anything to say when she was in such a strange environment.

Leaning over to whisper in her ear, Luke asked, "Are you okay? You've barely spoken to my parents."

"I'm just hungry."

"Well, good. Dinner is on the way."

Waving his hand to the weight staff, they quickly went to work serving guests. It was obvious that Luke oversaw his surroundings well because just at a snap of his fingers, people were there to serve them.

Once the food arrived, Poppy couldn't wait for others at the table to have their food. She dove in like a mad woman, snatching up anything she could get her hands on as her stomach rumbled.

Watching his fiancée devour her meal, Luke looked around the room at the prying eyes. "Babe, slow down. There's plenty to eat. Save some for dessert."

Across the table, his mother giggled. "You must be starving the poor girl, Luke."

"Nah," his brother noted. "She's been trying to keep fit for that wedding dress Luke's been bitching about that cost him too much money."

"Shut up, Ricco. Eat your dinner and mind your business."

"Fine. Stick in the mud. I was just joking,"

"Maybe she's pregnant," his father blurted out as he absentmindedly took a bite of his steak.

Hearing those words, Luke's stomach almost turned. With shock, he spilled his drink as he reached for it, totally taken off guard.

"Sorry, I'll clean it up."

"Nonsense, son," his mother waved over a server. "They will take care of it. Why are you so jittery this evening? Cold feet?"

"I'm fine, Momma. Really," he said with a sigh as he looked for Poppy for an answer.

Was she pregnant? If so, he was sure it wasn't his.

It was an unknown fact that he and Claudia weren't sexually involved. The one time they had been was a disaster when she mentioned the video she was holding over his head to blackmail him. It was an instant boner killer to find out the evil woman had possession of that tape. That had been months ago, and he knew they didn't even finish making love that night it happened. As much as he pretended to have that closeness with her, it just wasn't there. He needed Claudia to get in good standing with the five families, but was it worth marrying someone who really didn't care about him?

Letting his eyes find Claudia/Poppy, her eyes said the same thing he was thinking. There was no way that would be possible. When she turned her head to him, he gulped down a dryness that had rested in his throat. He knew about her trip to visit Roman a few weeks ago, even though he hadn't mentioned it. Had she and Roman had an affair, as he suspected? He knew it was true, but he needed her to admit it.

Reaching to take his hand, Poppy smiled. "No, sir. We're not with child. Maybe someday."

Letting out a relieved breath, he knew she was covering for him. They weren't going to have a child, because Claudia refused, and he knew she'd never allow it, anyway.

"Well, I hope to have a grandchild one day. Tony and Jessica refuse to give me a grandbaby until they get their new business off and running," his mother pouted.

His brother, who was sitting beside him, shoved his arm. "See what you started. Now Momma is going to be nagging me all night. I told you Jessica isn't ready yet."

Going back to her food, while Luke and his brothers taunted one another, Poppy started to feel ill again.

"Oh…" she groaned, grabbing her stomach.

"See. I told you to eat slower. You got yourself a bellyache."

"No. I've not been feeling well. May I be excused for a moment?"

Sitting up in her chair, his mother asked, "Do you want me to go with you, dear?"

"No, Mrs. Gambino. I'll be fine. I just need some air. I'll be back."

Excusing herself, she took no time at all to make a break to the lady's room. Quickly, Poppy went to the restroom, instantly rushing to a stall to dump the contents of her stomach. While she was praying to the porcelain thorn, the door swung open behind her.

"Shit. You're barfing again."

"Remi? What are you doing in here?" Poppy whispered, looking around to see if they were being watched.

"Relax. No one ever knows when I sneak around. Roman sent me in to see if you're okay?"

"I don't feel well. I think I need to leave."

"Good. You've been here too long, anyway. He wants you out of here, now."

"I have to tell Luke," she noted as she went to wash her face. "I can't just leave. He'll suspect something."

Rolling her eyes, Remi leaned on the restroom wall with her arms folded across her chest. "What's up? Are you into my brother or Luke? Stop playing games when these guys. It's not fair to either of them."

"I really don't want to talk about this now. I'm not feeling… Oooh! My stomach," Poppy groaned as she almost doubled over in pain.

Grabbing her by the waist, Remi could see something was really wrong. "I'm getting you out of here."

"No. Let me go tell Luke I'm leaving and meet me around back. I promise I'll be there in five minutes."

"You better, sweet cheeks or my brother will come in here all guns blazing. You better not betray us and tip off Luke."

"I won't. I promise. Five minutes."

"Okay, hurry up."

After washing up, Poppy headed back to the hall where people were enjoying their dinner. Seeing his fiancée looking pale and grabbing her stomach, Luke rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"

"I have to go. I don't feel well."

"Let me take you home."

Waving him away, she straightened her shoulders. "No, Luke. You need to stay and entertain the guest. Tell them I have a little bug or something. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Enjoy the time with your family. You put so much work into this night. In just a week, we will enjoy our wedding and it will all be okay."

"All right. Call me if you need anything," he said loud enough for people around to hear.

Stepping closer, Luke kissed her cheek, gripping her face to speak in her ear. "Don't cross me, Claudia. The video won't hold me at bay forever. Tell Roman that I know what he's up to and he sent you to get intel. My men saw Remi heading down the hall to follow you to the restroom. I know that little sneak would come in here sooner or later. What I said was the truth. He can either help me find who killed his brother, or he can stay pissed off over some bullshit that happened years ago. Either way, Beau needs retribution for his murder, and I'm not letting Roman stand in my way of protecting the families. His and mine. I swore to Beau to put a stop to this. I won't let him down again."

"You knew Roman sent me?"

"I'm not stupid. I can smell his cologne on you. He has that brand special made just for him. No one else has that scent. You think you know fashion? Well, I know Roman, and he wore that on purpose to send me a sign he's watching me."

Poppy was in shock. They both were playing games and using her as a pawn. Turning on her heels, she knew she had to get far from there and Roman owned her a big explanation.