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

Chapter 17 Brooklyn

The guard pulls around to the back of the mansion and enters a garage. When I get out of the car, Aden is standing at the entrance to the house, his arms crossed.

The guards move to the trunk to remove my dad.

"Why did you do this?" I ask, glaring at the mafia boss.

He looks me in the eye. "Because I knew that if I let you say goodbye, you'd tell the driver your address and lead us right there."

I gape, realizing, of course, that I did precisely that.

"Whereas," he continues, "if I told you that we wanted to take your dad for leverage, you'd have clammed up and given him a chance to run. Honestly, Brooklyn," he says. "You've got to become a little more canny if you're going to survive in this world."

I hang my head, suddenly ashamed and exhausted. He's right, I'm too naïve. And I'm ignoring my instincts, ignoring my wolf.

Everything with Hudson and Aden has me so off-kilter and second-guessing every thought. One of the things that makes me so good at psychological issues is the fact that I can tune. into my wolf and sniff out lies, fear, apprehension...

But, right now, I'm having trouble trusting Lena. I feel like. she's "off," like she's steered me wrong. How did she miss that Hudson wasn't attracted to me? Why is she pulling me toward.

Aden-the worst possible person to ever be attracted to?

You didn't listen to me, Lena says.

I'm taken aback. You never said anything, I respond.

No heat was the message, she responded.

That still only takes care of half of my problems.

The guard takes my arm and moves me into the house.

"Take him to the chamber," Aden says to the guards who carry my dad. Dad wriggles in their arms, but it's half-hearted.

He knows he's no match for both of them.

I twist as the guards take him away, but I'm held tight. "The chamber?!" I call. "What-"

"He will be fine, Brooklyn," Aden says to me, holding my gaze.

"You have my word on it. And I don't give my word lightly."

I bite my lip. "Please," I say, begging now. "Tell me what's happening."

"I am merely gathering all the players in one place," he replies. "We have word that Davis still has control of your sister."

"Is she okay? Is she-"

"She's fine," he says, his face stone.

"Can you get her away from him? She owes him money. I don't now if-"

"Why should I?" He suddenly snaps, interrupting me. "What can Brooklyn Knox give to me to make it worth my time?"

"Nothing," I whisper. "I have nothing to give."

"Brooklyn Knox has nothing I want," he says, careful. "Brooklyn

Remington, though..."

His words drift off and his plan snaps together in my mind. My dad's freedom, my sister's, in exchange...

I stand up straight. "Do I have your word, on your son's life, that if I agree to this...you'll let them go? Make sure they're safe?"

He nods slowly, smiling now. "My word, on my family. Your dad and sister will have my explicit protection."

I close my eyes and look away, dread filling me as I make this devil's deal. Can I trust him?

Yes, Lena says.

Maybe it's time I start listening to her again...

"Fine," I say. "I'll do it."

Kenwood snaps his fingers in front of my face, making my eyes fivoen. "They have to believe it. Do you understand?"

I hold his gaze and nod.

This will be one of the hardest, most painful things I've ever had to do. But I'll do anything it takes to protect them-even if it means hurting them.

"Take her upstairs," Kenwood says. "To the guestroom. Get some rest, Brooklyn. I will have your sister brought here, and tonight we will all have a chat."

The guard takes me upstairs and leads me to a beautifully appointed bedroom. I hear the lock click behind me and sink. onto the bed. I know I should be trying to come up with a plan...

But Aden is right. I'm an amateur. He's three steps ahead of me at every turn.

And I'm so, so tired....

Quicker than I would have thought possible, I fall back into a troubled sleep.

***

A few hours later, I'm awoken by the sound of the key in the .I blink away my sleep and see a woman peeking in my door. "Hello?" she says. "May I come in?"

I huff a little laugh. "Do I have a choice?"

"No, dearie," the older woman says, not unkindly, closing the door behind her. "A shower for you, quickly," she says, gesturing towards the bathroom.

Lobediently oblige, not seeing the point in arguing. When I come back, she seats me at a little vanity and quietly does my makeup, pins my hair up in elaborate curls, and dresses me in. a far-too-gorgeous red gown that falls to my ankles.

I study myself in the mirror. The dress is not girly, but neither is it scandalous or provocative. Instead,

when I study myself in the mirror, I look...

Well, I look every inch the mafia princess. Rich, poised, a little dangerous.

Soon, there's a knock at the door.

"Off you go, my dear," the woman says, giving me a little push in the right direction.

I nod my thanks to her-I didn't even get her name-as ard comes to take me downstairs.

When we reach the landing a floor below, he quietly opens the double doors of a sitting room.