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.”

ask,

“Alden is using this

little scared. If just meeting my step–mom

in exchange,” Kent continues, “he’s invited all of our people as well. It was different, when I had Alden come here – there was just a small guest list, only those who needed to

think, twisting my mouth

Write your comment

Gifts

–

the face I’m making, “he wants all of his people, and all of

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

joins him. “I just

“Wait,” I

says nothing, staring at me – challenging me, I think, to figure it out myself. But Daniel shakes his head and explains. “Fay,” he says, “when big families get

an…opportunity. Two birds with one stone,

could see it as an…opportunity. To pressure us into deals we’re not happy making. It’s…

raising my eyebrows.

again. “No, he’s got us cornered there. He’s already sent out the

and I nod, understanding.

“I

freezes then, looking at me with humor and disbelief in his

on my jodhpur–clad butt. “Go

at him as

away.

he…” I

his voice low and

as saucers. “Did your dad

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

course. It’s so elaborately curled and swept up delicately off my shoulders that I look like I could be getting

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