Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden) novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30
Brooklyn

The party ended quickly after that. After one of his guards sipped from it first, Remington agreed to one ceremonial drink, but he left soon afterwards. Since the apparent draw of the evening was gone, all of the rest of the guests began to filter out as well.

As I watched them all leave—staring at me, up and down, though not uttering a word my way—I knew without a doubt what the point of this party had truly been.

Why Aden had wanted to introduce me to my father in front of all of these people, instead of in private. He wanted to flaunt his power to humans in wolves alike, to make sure that everyone knew he is the Mafia king in the human world, the Wolf King in the shifter world.

It certainly hadn’t been a party to celebrate me. Instead, it was more like a proof of life. Aden was demonstrating to the world that I exist—and that I’m in his power.

Now, back in my room, Lena growls softly, reminding me just how much I’m under Aden’s spell, and I shush her.

I stare down at the diamond on my finger, twisting the ring back and forth, seeing how it catches the light. Even though I’ve changed and into a pair of leggings and a super soft sweater—honestly, how do these clothes keep showing up in my room?—I don’t have the heart to take the ring off.

It’s just so beautiful. I’ve rarely had anything really pretty in my life and this was…stunning. And priceless, I think.

Maybe if I run away, I can sell this at a pawn shop and use the money to get to Europe, where Aden and my father can’t find me.

But, as Lena is determined to remind me over and over, I’m not sure I want to hide from Aden. I’m not sure I want to be far away from him at all.

I picture the way he looked at me as he slipped the ring on my finger. Was it just sheer force that got it on, or was it something else? After all, it was hardly tight now, but Hudson hadn’t been able to get it to budge.

Please please, do not let me be in heat for my fiancé’s father, I think again.

And anyway, even if I did want to flee, I don’t even have a passport.

A realization hits me in the gut. Despite how unlikely it would have been, I had hopes for my meeting with Remington. If he was so powerful, then maybe he could take me away from this bizarre situation. I had thought maybe he would be my ticket out of the Kenwood house, get me back to my normal life, or maybe even help me understand the world where my mother came from.

But after this evening, I realize that I’m just as much of a pawn in Remington’s world as Aden’s. A way to keep the peace, to keep the balance of power. And after seeing his crazy mood swings, I’m not sure Remington would be a better choice.

Aden can be cruel, but at least he’s always in control.

Then a thought hits me out of nowhere. A desire to see what Aden is like when he’s not in control. When he’s wild and feral, at the mercy of his inner wolf.

Suddenly, outside of my door, I hear a huge thump and a groan. What—

I jump up from the bed and stare at the door, expecting it to swing open like it always does.

But nothing.

I hear the groan again.

Scared, but needing to know what’s going on, I run to the door and pull it open.