Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24
Brooklyn

Jayde finishes saying good morning to Aden and stops at our little table on the way out.

“This beauty must be Brooklyn,” she says as she arrives, giving me a big smile.

She has a thick New York accent, a little like Fran Drescher, and I can’t help but be charmed by her sweet, brusque nature.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“Oh baby,” she says, wrinkling her nose at me. “I already know all about you. Big Boy over there told me everything,” she says, nodding at him over her shoulder.

I blush again. Big Boy?

Seriously?

What woman has the balls to call Aden Kenwood Big Boy?

I laugh despite myself. “All good things, I hope.”

“Only the best. I’ll catch you two babies later,” she says, swooping down to give Hudson a kiss on the cheek as she goes. “And you—” she points a manicured nail at me, “—you’re going shopping with me later, okay? Okay.”

She leaves without waiting for a response.

I watch her as she goes, a little jealous of her confidence as well as her raw sensuality. Jayde is the kind of buxom beauty of a she-wolf who I imagine thrives in a world like this.

There’s no way she’s the type of woman who came into heat late.

I look down at myself, feeling like a flat piece of plain white paper beside her.

“Sorry about that,” Hudson says, his voice a little frustrated.

“Why?” I look up at him, surprised.

“It’s just embarrassing, to have them around,” he whispers, leaning forward so that only I hear him. “My dad could fill every room in this house with his lovers, if he wanted to. Although Jayde is…a favorite.”

I nod, understanding. “I can see why. She’s so beautiful.”

He sighs, and I cock my head to the side. “What’s wrong?”

“My whole life there have been women all over. Some stay for a night, some for months. Jayde has lasted years now, but it’s only a matter of time before she’s gone, too. Women just love him.” He scowls.

I can’t help but wonder why this would upset him…it’s not as though he’s competing for female attention. Given that he doesn’t want it and all.

I sense Mommy issues.

“Well, I don’t like him at all,” I say, trying to cheer him up. “I think he’s rude, and domineering, and he likes to make people feel uncomfortable to make them fall in line. I think you’re ten times the man he is.”

Inside, I know it’s a lie. But it’s worth it for the burst of sunshine it brings to Hudson’s face.

It really is dazzling. Everywhere I look I see brand names I’ve only ever seen in fashion spreads—Balenciaga, Hermes, Dior, Chanel.

“Where did it all come from?”

She shrugs again, beckoning me over to her. “Personal shoppers, mostly. Aden likes to look good, but he doesn’t like to go to stores.”

I join her at a velvet settee in front of a trifold mirror.

“The rest,” she says, “are…gifts. Donations.”

I tilt my head at her, confused.

She gives me a wink. “You know. From people who owe him big but don’t have the cash.” She wrinkles her nose and smiles. “That’s how he got me my Porsche.”

“Oh,” I say, my eyes going wide.

“Oh, little baby Brooklyn,” she laughs, putting an arm around my shoulders. “You’re so cute with your little blushes. It’s nice to have someone so fresh around.”

I smile at her, biting my lip as she moves over to a pile of silk and satin that she has draped over a chair.

“Now,” she says, “I picked these out for you, but if you see anything else you like, just tell me.” She starts to hold up dresses for me.

“Um,” I say, hesitating. “Picked them out…for what?”