Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden)

Chapter 108

Brooklyn

It's almost dark that evening when I pull up to the gates to Aden's estate.

I spent the day with Jolie, planning my next steps, letting the sound of her laugher and advice wash over me like a balm.

I also let her curl my hair into sexy waves and exchange my slouchy sweater and leggings for a pair of tight jeans and a turtleneck, all black.

She spent some time doing my makeup too, transforming me into a smokey-eyed femme fatale, giving me the extra courage I need to take this next step.

The gates slide open and I pull the car through.

Instead of heading around the back of the house to the garages, though, I curve around the driveway and park directly before the front door.

I steel myself and then step out, glancing towards the guard I know will be standing by the door at the top of the steps, who turns out to be Lucas this time.

I keep my face blank as I walk slowly up to the door and calmly hand him the keys to the Prius I borrowed that morning.

"Next time," I say softly, holding his eye. "I'm taking the Lexus."

He blinks at me, but I brush past, opening the door myself and leaving it ajar as I walk calmly into the house.

I head directly for Aden's office, knowing he'll be there. I don't bother to knock before I open the door.

He turns his head, glaring, opening his mouth to admonish whoever is interrupting him, but he goes silent when he sees me standing there, my arms crossed over my chest, a set of papers folded in my hand. I don't say anything as I cross the room to him.

Aden closes his mouth, watching me. I hold his gaze as I stop before him, my expression confident. Slowly, I lean forward and place the signed contract on the desk in front of him.

"I'm ready when you are," I purr, looking him directly in the eye.

Without another word, I turn and leave him in shocked silence.

As soon as I leave the office, I head right for the kitchen, hurrying my steps.

Jolie and I planned every moment of that-parking at the front of the house, demanding a better car from

the guard, delivering the contract to Aden and what I would say as I did it.

But now that that's all done, I don't have a script anymore, and I feel my nerves coming back.

What I know I need is a big glass of wine to take upstairs with me, because I have a feeling Aden isn't

going to let this rest tonight and I definitely want something to calm me down before

I stop in my tracks as soon as I enter the kitchen. Hudson's sitting right there, at our breakfast table, reading a book.

He looks up at me and instantly closes his book, coming over.

"Brooklyn!" he breathes, relief all over his face. "Are you alright? Where have you been?"

My eyes dart away from him. "I went to see my sister."

"Good," he says. "I'm glad you got some time away."

He reaches for my hand. "Brooklyn, there's no reason we can't turn this around-we don't have to listen

to him, we can tear up that contract and start again, on our own terms."

"I hesitate, pulling my hand from his. "Hudson?"

He stops, looking at me curiously. "What is it?"

But I lose courage, folding my arms awkwardly over my chest. "I'm not feeling well. I think I'm just

gonna..."

Hudson takes a slow step away from me, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Of course," he murmurs, his voice worried. "Whatever you need."

I head to the fridge, taking out a bottle of wine and grabbing a glass from the counter.

I don't look at him again as I scurry out the door, though I can feel his eyes on me.

"Coward," I hiss, cursing myself as I hurry up the stairs.

Damn it, at the first trial of this new, powerful me I totally collapsed.

I dart into my room, pressing the door closed and taking a deep breath, closing my eyes as I steel myself.

I know that I owe Hudson more than that.

But damn it, Jolie and I didn't plan what I was going to say to him, and he caught me by surprise.

But I have to do it-I have to figure out the best way to break it to him that I am leaving him for his dad.

I roll my eyes as I open the bottle.

God damn it, this is so ridiculous.

I move across the room, pouring

myself a big glass. This was Joliet

advice too-a drink for courage, but not so much that I get sloppy

There is, apparently, a fine balance. But I drink the glass of wine quickly, my hands shaking as I glance towards the door.

I don't know if I'm going to be able to find that balance tonight.

I pull a new phone out of my back pocket-one that Jolie gave me this afternoon, one of her burners that she uses to text her married clients from the club.

Aden took away my phone when I first got here, but things are different now. I'm not his son's fiancée who needs protection anymore.

I work for him now-not just as his girlfriend, but as his spy. And as such, I'm entitled to certain freedoms. Like texting my sister whenever I want.

I send her a quick text now, hoping she can give me a little courage. My stomach is all tied in knots. Brooklyn: Here now part one of the plan went just as we wanted it to! Now, just sitting in my room waiting??

A few seconds later, her reply beeps through.

Jolie: You've got this, little sis!

Remember-it's about what you want. Don't let him pressure

moving faster than you want

into

I nod, bolstered by her words. That's right. It's about me now. And I may have agreed to be his-his

mistress-

But he does not have any right to make me feel-

I jump as a knock sounds on the door and freeze, my eyes going wide.

Oh my god. Is that him? Does he want to...

I hesitate, but another knock doesn't come. I put my wine glass down and slowly walk to the door.

"Hello?" I whisper, sounding more anxious than I want to. But no reply comes.

I lean down to peak through the keyhole in my door, but I don't see anyone standing there.

Curious, I twist the knob and slowly pull it open.

Outside my door sits a white box tied with a red satin ribbon.

I look up and down the hallway but there's no one there.

I quickly snatch the box, pulling it to my chest as I slam the door closed and lean back against it, my breath coming quickly.

Then, my curiosity getting the better of me, I hurry to my bed, quickly untying the ribbon and pulling the top off the box.

I go still when I see that inside there is nothing but a confection of black lace.

My blood turns to ice as I run my fingers over it, realizing what it means.

As I lift it out of the box, trying to figure out precisely what kind of lingerie it is, a little card falls from one of the folds.

Dropping the fabric, I grab at the tiny piece of cardstock, unfolding it.

The message is very simple.

Put this on with your black Prada pumps. I'll be there soon.

I cover my mouth in shock, shaking my head back and forth as I read it again and again.

Fifteen minutes?

And then what?