Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Father

Gifts

Chapter 24 – Getting to Know my Mafia Dad–1

I’m alone in the back seat of the black sedan that takes me to dinner at my father’s house.

I look up at the grey stone mansion and grimace, not looking forward to this. I know that there should probably be some curiosity in me, some desire to know more about my family and my heritage. But honestly? Lorenzo Alden doesn’t feel anything like my father. That, to me, will always be David.

Kent sent two guards with me and instructed them to stay by me at all times. For protection, presumably, but also – I think – to be Kent’s eyes and ears at the meeting. Alden is his ally, but I think even the term “ally” in this underworld has some tenuous distrust built into it.

I had begged David to come with me but Kent denied that too. Alden, apparently, wanted me all to himself. Great. I was already awkward enough, now I have to go into this alone? It was definitely going to be a disaster.

The guards get out of the front of the car after they park and come around to open my door. I step out and sigh, wishing I was anywhere else. The stables, preferably, getting to know Heathcliff.

The three of us troupe up the front steps to the house and formally ring the bell. I twist my mouth at the irony here. If he’s

dad – if this is my house – shouldn’t I be able to walk right

my

As we step in, I stop dead in my tracks. The guards almost bump

into me.

“Are you okay?” one asks – Jerome, I think. One of the friendlier guards in Kent’s employ.

“Yes,” I murmur in response, staring around the room.

I’m totally not

what it smells like. Even the rugs are familiar – a soft burnt orange, thick and plush underneath my feet. The arch that leads into the dining room – yes,

it I’ll find…

filled with blue and white china.

murmur, looking around as I

maid looks at me hesitantly. “Dinner isn’t ready yet, miss,” she says. “If you’ll come with me to the

her – not really meaning to be rude, but I can’t help myself as I walk to the back of the room and push open the door to the kitchen. The avocado green fridge and stove are exactly as I remember

them.

No

footsteps behind me,

24 – Getting to Know

my

couldn’t keep you out of here,” he says, “your mother, the maids, or me. You always wanted to come in and pull out all of the pots and pans. Pretend you were cooking. Or just bang

I was only five when we went to live with David – it was certainly

and then nods back towards the living room. “Come,” he says. “I want

still staring around at the house. My house, where I lived, as a small child. As I consider it, I realize that they are not unhappy

I suppose, is a

closely behind. When we enter, I’m surprised to see a woman sitting there with a boy at her side and a baby in her

Alden says, putting out a hand to me. “I’d like to introduce you to Tristin, my wife.” I blink at the

my

She’s a beautiful woman, petite, with dark hair and large hazel

Estrella. Your…ah. Your half siblings, I suppose.” He runs a hand awkwardly

me with excited eyes. He’s the picture of his mother, really – dark hair, delicate pale skin, pretty hazel eyes. The baby is also very sweet, smiling up at me in her white bonnet. As I look at the three of them, I can

their group as well. I look down at myself, dressed in sapphire blue. Perhaps she’s sending me a

cold. She looks me up and down with distaste.

a chair by the coffee table. We’re silent as a maid brings in a silver tray

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