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

Chapter Brooklyn

25

"For the party!" she says, beaming. "Did no one tell you? Tonight! The party so you can meet your father! Plus, anytime an Alpha is in attendance, proper respect must be paid and we must present ourselves to the best of our ability."

Jayde smiles at me like I'm the luckiest girl in the world but I feel my face go as white as a sheet. Seeing the change in my demeanor, she puts down the dresses and comes over.

"Aw baby," she says soothingly. "Too much? Too soon?"

I take a deep breath. "Yeah, I guess. I've never met this man-didn't know he was my father until

yesterday, and for him to be an Alpha on top of everything else... It's all just a shock."

She gives my shoulders a quick squeeze. "Well, nothing's going to make you feel more confident than looking absolutely fabulous."

She hurries back over to the pile of dresses she set aside for me. "For you," she says, "I think, this one." Her voice is reverent as she holds up a gorgeous velvet gown, midnight blue with gauzy fabric trailing from the shoulders to create a diaphanous train.

I gasp when I see it, unable to help myself as I move forward to touch the material. As I turn it over in my hands, I catch a view of the price tag. I blanche and drop the fabric.

"What?" she says, peering at me. "I thought you liked it? With that red hair you'll be a masterpiece." "Jayde," I say, laughing a little, "that dress is the same price as a car. And not even a cheap car." She shrugs. "So?"

"It's just...it's too extravagant for me!" I say, shaking my head.

"Baby," she says, coming forward and taking my chin in her hand, a little good-natured pity in her eyes. "This isn't extravagant enough for you."

I blink at her, and she turns to hold the dress up so that I can see it against my body in the mirror. "This is the stuff that Aden lets me wear, Brooklyn. And I'm just the goomah-the lady on the side," she says, winking at me. I can tell she doesn't feel any shame.

"You though," she says. "Baby, you're royalty in this world. You're a princess."

I stare at myself in the mirror, suddenly worried. I'm no princess-not in any world-I'm a just a psych major-

But as I stare at myself in the mirror, with that dress pressed against me, I have to admit...I look, just a little bit, like royalty.

"You've gotta get used to the luxe life," she says quietly. "Aden told me to dress you in these tonight, but a girl like you should be wearing couture. To make up for it, though," her face lights up with excitement, "Aden says I get to pick you out some jewels!"

She squeals, clapping her hands. I laugh as well, unable to help myself-she's so infectious.

Ten minutes later, when I see myself in the dress with sapphires draped around my neck, I shake my head a little in disbelief.

"There she is," Jayde says, her voice awed. "The future wife of the most powerful heir in the city. Ladies and Gentlemen," she says, giving a little bow, "may I present your future Queen."

My heart sinks as I look at myself. Who even am I anymore?