Fall For My Ex's Mafia Dad novel Chapter 78

“I’ll follow your rules, Kent,” I say quietly, keeping my face blank. “But in exchange, I will be treated with respect in this house.”

He opens his mouth to reply but I interrupt him, holding up a finger.

“And,” I say, continuing my small list of demands. “I’m not going to be held here like a little caged pet. I understand that you have to keep me safe, but I can’t spend my whole life sitting in my room upstairs.”

My face softens then, betraying, I think, a little of the misery that I sometimes feel in his home. “I’m a whole person, Kent,” I say softly. “A real person. I need to have a little bit of freedom. A little bit of a life.”

He stares at me for a moment, considering, and then gives me a small nod.

I nod as well and then turn, heading out the door and down the long basement hallway towards the steps. Just as I reach the bottom, I hear him call my name again.

I turn to see Kent standing at the door to the little records room, considering me carefully. I raise an eyebrow, curious about what he could want.

“Go and get dressed,” he says, his voice even. “I can’t take you to the stables, but I’ll send someone else with you.”

My face brightens instantly and I bite my lip against my joy, not wanting him to see quite how happy he’s made me. I feel as if I’ve gained a little bit of an upper hand here, and I don’t want to waste it.

Still, I can’t be rude.

“Thank you,” I say, dipping my head before dashing up the stairs to get ready.

Twenty minutes later, I skip down the stairs to the main floor again and then look around. The door to Kent’s office is closed, but I hear a whistle and turn towards the kitchen.

There, leaning against the wall, is Jerome. My face breaks out into a smile – Jerome, good. He’s always nice to me, and funny to boot.