Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden) novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110
Brooklyn

The next morning, I reach over and grab my cell phone off of the nightstand, dying to see if Colsen texted me back.

I bite my lip, trying not to smile when I see that I have a message waiting. Eagerly, I click on it.

Colsen: So, has he finally let you out of your cage, Brooklyn?

Colsen: Of course I want to see you. Pick you up at 8.

My smile drops a little as I read the mention of Aden’s name, and I sit back on my pillows.

It’s not just me and Colsen’s secret liaison anymore.

I drop my phone into my lap as I lean against my pillows to think.

I mean, it’s never really been just me and Colsen, ever—Aden and my dad were always involved.

But that afternoon at the bar, during that gap in space and time with only the two of us in it, it was…well, it was really nice.

And, quite frankly, I don’t like the idea that this is suddenly a triangle. Aden and Colsen, with me in the middle.

I want to have my cake and eat it too—to have both Colsen and Aden in my life, but to keep them in completely separate spaces when the reality is that I’m the pawn in their games, not the other way around.

Well.

At least for now.

I smirk and remind myself that I have Jolie in my back pocket, and that she’s had loads of experience playing men against each other to get what she wants.

And she told me precisely how to handle something like this. If Colsen’s going to bring Aden into it, then I’m going to double down.

Eagerly, I pick up my phone again and send off a quick reply.

Brooklyn: No worries, I’ll come meet you wherever we’re going. Can you send the address to Aden so he can arrange the car?

***

When I come back from the stables that afternoon, the house is quiet.

As I head upstairs and turn to my door, I stop in my tracks.

A little white box is sitting on the ground, propped against it, a black bow wrapped around it this time.

My stomach drops when I see it.

Embarrassed, I rush forward, grabbing the box as I press through my door, shutting it briskly behind me.

Then, I turn to the bed and carry my gift to it, placing it gently down on the duvet gently, as if there might be a bomb inside, ready to explode.

As I open the box, I see that there’s no bomb in it but…my breath ratchets up anyway as I lay my eyes on something equally dangerous.

There are two garments inside the box, and one note. I reach for the note slowly unfolding it.

For your date, and then for after.

Be home by midnight. I’ll come and find you.

“Crap,” I murmur, dropping the note, my knees going to jelly.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to lean back on Jolie’s teachings. After all, I knew this was coming—I signed up for it.

So why do I want to skitter away like some scared little rabbit?

I steel myself, clenching my teeth. “Come on, Brooklyn,” I murmur to myself, trying to say what Jolie would say. “Be tough.”

I exhale sharply through my nose and get back to business. Because it was business, after all—I did sign a contract.

I open my eyes and lift the first garment out of the box.