Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Father

Gifts

Chapter 27 – An Invitation–1

I’m wolfing my breakfast down as fast as I can the next day, already wearing my riding boots and the tight fawn–colored jodhpurs I found not–so–mysteriously in my room this morning. I look towards the galley, but Kent isn’t cooking today.

Where is he? I can’t wait to get to the stable – to see Heathcliff again – to get started –

I drink my orange juice in one big gulp and Daniel laughs at me. “Seriously,” he says, his plate still full. “You’re not going to get my dad to appear any faster if you choke on your food.”

I smile at him and he grins back, tilting his head to the side. “It’s so good to see you happy, Fay,” he says. Then his expression falls a little. “I’m just sorry I didn’t think of it first – I had no idea you wanted a horse – I could have easily –

—

LL

“It’s okay, Daniel,” I say, putting a hand on his and giving him another bright smile. “I didn’t know it either. Or, well, I’ve always wanted one – but I had no idea it was a real possibility.”

He laughs lightly at me. “Anything money can buy, Fay,” he says warmly. “If you can dream it, we’ll get it for you.”

“Hmmm,” I say, winking at him. “You do know that I have a very active imagination. You might regret that, Danny–boy.”

He laughs at me again as I stand up, stretching. Kent comes through the door then, pausing a moment to look at me. I drop my hands and give him a big smile as he comes over.

“What,” Daniel asks, looking at his father. I turn my attention to him as well, wondering what Daniel is seeing. Kent’s face is

grave.

“I don’t know,” Kent says, shaking his head and rubbing his chin. “I don’t like the looks of this.”

I ask, frowning.

looked into it,” he says, gesturing towards the invitation. “Alden is using this opportunity to

scared. If just meeting my step–mom went so poorly…

in exchange,” Kent continues, “he’s invited all of our people as well. It was different, when I had Alden come

one you introduced me to, I think, twisting my mouth a little, but okay.

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Gifts

27 – An Invitation–2

all of

at the invitation again and see, indeed, that he’s invited us all to

to shake his head and Daniel joins him. “I just

again. “Wait,” I say, “catch me up. What’s so bad about

challenging me, I think, to figure it out myself. But Daniel shakes his head and explains. “Fay,” he says, “when

see it as an…opportunity. Two birds

up the thread. “Because Alden has greater numbers than us, he could see it as an…opportunity.

eyebrows. “Maybe

his head again. “No, he’s got us cornered there. He’s already

I

I say, hesitating, “I could just go…alone…”

freezes then, looking at me with humor and disbelief in his eyes. Then, he bursts

Fay,” he says, walking by me and giving me a little swat on my jodhpur–clad butt. “Go get ready!” he calls. “We’re leaving at 4:30, sharp! I want you two looking good!”

stare at

away.

he…” I

continues, his voice low and unbelieving.

him, my eyes as wide as saucers. “Did your

little as she pins the last piece into place, finishing it off with some hairspray. My entire scalp hurts, each

hairdo is a triumph, of course. It’s so elaborately curled and swept up delicately off my shoulders that I look like I could be

can see both of our faces in the mirror. She laughs,