Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden) novel Chapter 111

Chapter 111
Brooklyn

Colsen laughs lightly and shakes his head, coming forward to place a hand on my back.

“I’m sorry,” he says, and I look up to see real apology on his face. “I shouldn’t have said that—you look beautiful.”

I’m still blushing, though. I never should have worn this dress.

“Come on,” Colsen says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and nodding his head towards the restaurant. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

I stop in my tracks, though, realizing, suddenly, that I don’t want to go in there.

I don’t want to go to another mafia hotspot, where Colsen was able to get a last-minute reservation because he has connections.

Aden sent me on this date, but I get to decide what happens from here on out. In the end, I’m in control.

Colsen looks down at me, waiting, but I flash him a big smile.

“Actually,” I say, eager. “Do you want to go somewhere else?”

He cocks his head, curious. “I thought you wanted to come here.”

“Did Aden tell you that?” I ask.

“I told him to send the car to a restaurant I picked, and he said he was sending you here. Because it’s your favorite.”

A slow, dangerous little smile starts to form on Colsen’s face.

“Yeah well,” I say, wrinkling my nose at him. “Aden doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does.”

Colsen nods, his smile growing, and raises a hand to signal the valet to bring his car back.

***

Thirty minutes later, Colsen and I are sitting on top of a picnic table in my old neighborhood, our feet resting on the bench and an enormous spread of tacos set out between us.

I directed Colsen to drive here, knowing that my favorite food truck sets itself up on the edge of this little park on Tuesday nights.

It’s dark out, but the owners have strung up cheerful lights and are playing traditional music.

We have the place mostly to ourselves, and it’s kind of perfect.

“It’s all right,” Colsen replies, shrugging it off. “We all have our trauma. He was a good guy.”

I study him, this guy that is so notorious, so violent, but treats me so gently, makes me laugh.

He gives me a little smirk as he looks me in the eye. “He’d have liked you, for sure. He loved redheads.”

“Yes, well, we’re quite irresistible,” I murmur, flipping my hair back over my shoulder and pretending a haughtiness I don’t really feel.

I’m rewarded with a laugh, and I grin back at Colsen.

“Irresistible for sure,” he says, always the flirt as he looks down at the table and reaches for another taco. “But also, apparently, a woman who’s not quite sure who she wants.”

My breath hitches.

He knows.

He knows about me, Aden, and our little arrangement to bring him down.

I’m dead.