Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden) novel Chapter 108

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.