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.

reality? I’m totally not okay.

like walking into a dream. I’ve been here before, I suddenly realize. I know things about this space – what’s around some of the corners, what things will feel like, what it smells like. Even the rugs are familiar – a soft burnt orange, thick and plush

it I’ll find…

A hutch, filled with blue and white china.

around as I slowly walk

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

back of the room and push open the door to the kitchen. The avocado green fridge and stove are exactly as I remember them. Except, I

them.

No

behind me, “Familiar, is it?”

24 – Getting to

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

five when we went to live with David – it was certainly old enough to remember something. How

living room. “Come,” he says. “I want to introduce you to some

the house. My house, where I lived, as a small child. As I consider it, I realize that they are

is

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

like to introduce you to Tristin, my

that my father had

woman, petite, with dark hair and large hazel eyes. Her full pink

my daughter Estrella. Your…ah. Your half

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 tell that Tristin has dressed them in pale green to

their group as well. I look down at myself, dressed in

looks me up and down with distaste. I sigh,

smile as I lower myself awkwardly into a chair by the coffee table. We’re silent as a maid brings in a silver tray with a

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