The Mafia Contract Series

I can’t even look at my father. I am so angry. All morning I have endured Brad Turner ordering me around and making me look like the hired help. He made me sit outside his office like an assistant, while he took the only one with a door. He assigned himself a secretary and told me to check in with her every morning to discover my duties. He called a staff meeting and introduced himself as the boss and me as his assistant. Then he proceeded to lay down the law and create an atmosphere of tension that definitely doesn’t need to be there.

When my father stopped by to take me to lunch, Brad was all smiles and even walked us to the elevator, telling me to enjoy lunch and not to worry about work for a while. To take a rest so I am fully refreshed for the afternoon. My father sang his praises all the way to ground level and if I hear the name Brad Turner fall from his lips one more time, I’m liable to punch him.

Now I’m walking with Flynn like a couple toward the coffee shop and immediately everything is better in my world. That alone tells me I’m screwed because, in all probability, this guy is my freaking cousin. When did my life fall into hell and how could I have prevented it from happening?

Flynn orders us both an Americano and a bagel each and steers me toward a booth in the corner and then, to my surprise, slides in bedside me and grabs my hand.

“Ok, baby, what happened today to make you angry?”

For some reason, the concern on his face unravels me and unwelcome tears brim behind my eyes as I sniff, “I thought I was better than I am.”

“Explain.” He looks confused and I fill him in on everything that happened.

He appears thoughtful as I sip my coffee and I immediately feel better for getting it off my chest and then he says casually, “I’ll do some digging on him. Guys like that usually have a history and if I can discover his, it may give you something to work with.”

“What do you mean?” I’m not sure and he grins with a wicked twist to his lips that makes me smile.

“I’ve met men like him, baby. They talk themselves up and play the game to hide their own incompetence. The hardest working people don’t shout about it, they get on with it and so your problem may be an opportunity to get what you want.”

“Do you really think so?”

Flynn appears to have a habit of lifting my spirits and he reaches out and strokes my face with a gentleness that surprises me. The softening of his eyes and the deep velvet gaze of lust make me speechless because suddenly things are shifting between us, and I like it.

I would stare into his eyes all day if I was allowed and as he leans closer, I almost anticipate my first kiss, but how wrong is that? So wrong on every level ever invented and instead he brushes those lips against my ear and whispers, “I’ll always be here for you, baby girl. You can tell me anything.”

It’s so good to be the object of his attention. It’s a little overwhelming and yet the most delicious sensation in the world. He wraps me in comfort and makes everything special. I could tell him anything and he would never judge me, I already know that, and it’s so good to be in his arms, shut away from reality for just the briefest moment in time.

He looks at his phone and whispers, “I’ve discovered where Iris Young is.”

“No way. Already.” My eyes are wide as I glance at his phone, and I see the name Cedar Heights retirement home. Wisteria Falls.

“Where is that?”

“Not far from where I live, actually. It appears I need to return home, quite urgently.”

“You do.” My face falls, and he tilts it to his and holds it in a tender grip. “Come with me.”

The passion burning in his eyes is compelling and I say slightly breathlessly, “How?”

“This weekend. We’ll fly back. I have an apartment my uncle doesn’t know about, and I have a guest room you can stay in. I promise you will be perfectly safe.”

I nod my head because I want to go so badly and whisper, “My father may not allow it.”

“Then convince him. You see, Louisa…” He brushes his lips against my ear and whispers, “I need to prove that we’re not related, and I’m hoping she holds the answer to that.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“You do.” I hold my breath because I don’t want to break this spellbound moment and he says huskily, “I’m guessing you understand why.”

“Not really.” Once again, the tears build and I say sadly, “You see, Flynn, nobody ever wants me, the girl, not the heiress. You say you’ve been alone all your life, well I kind of understand a lot about that. It’s why I have no friends and spend my spare time reading. People want me for what I can give them, not for me. I stand to inherit billions and that’s a pretty tempting carrot to any guy. I made up my mind a long time ago that I would settle for nothing less than love, but nobody ever cared enough to try.”

“You think I want your billions?”

He looks angry, disappointed even and I shrug, “Why wouldn’t I? I mean, you are so out of my league, it’s pretty obvious. I’m sorry, Flynn, I’m distrustful for a reason and I am the only person who can protect my heart because nobody else cares.”

To my surprise, he holds my face firmly and says angrily, “You know nothing about what I want.

What my type is, what attracts me and what I’m looking for. You have judged me like everyone who judges you and labeled me a certain way by looking at me. You don’t know me, not really. But I know you, Louisa. I feel you.”

He holds my hand to his thumping heart and says roughly, “You are everything I want. You are perfect for me. You could be a stripper for all I care because it’s what’s inside I crave. The beautiful soul of an Angel who doesn’t realize how amazing she is. A goddess and a kind soul who isn’t tainted by life’s shit and rises above it with a pure spirit. It is I who doesn’t deserve a woman like you, Louisa. You are way too good for me and if anyone ever makes you believe you don’t measure up, then that’s their loss, baby, and you should pity their ignorance.”

I almost think he’s going to kiss me, hard and possessive, in full view of my father’s employees.

The sad thing is I want him to. Just once. To make me feel invincible because his little speech almost makes me believe it myself.

He is staring at me with such a deep yearning I can’t cope with the feelings that creates and so I say breathlessly, “I’ll come.”

The relief in his eyes lifts my heart and as he rubs his thumb across my lips, he whispers, “I need you with me and I promise until we know for sure, I will treat you like family. If we discover otherwise, well, we’ll talk again.”

I nod and say with a sigh. “I should head back. Brad doesn’t agree with lunch.”

“What time do you finish?”

“Nine.” I groan as he raises his eyes. “Like fuck you do. I’ll come for you at six and if he has a problem with that, he can talk to me about it.”

The fierce rage in his eyes makes me smile and I almost pity Brad. It’s obvious Flynn sets his own agenda, and it will be interesting to see who wins this one. I kind of already know and so, feeling a lot better about things, I head back to work with a distinct spring in my step.