Filed to story: Falling for My Ex's Mafia Dad Novel Free PDF (Fay Alden & Kent Lippert)
Kent just laughs and sits back in his chair, shaking his head. Whatever.
At least he knows, now, what’s going on. The city’s taking him down as an example pinning some other boss’s dirty work on him in an exchange for information. Damn it. He was going down for more than what he actually did, and someone else was getting wiped clean. Who the hell was it?
The kid’s continuing to talk now, but Kent’s mostly ignoring him, keeping half an ear open for anything interesting but focusing on turning over the possibilities in his head. The Russian connection, potentially, but the most obvious candidate here is ironically Alden. Shit, he’s going to have to get in touch with the Bianci’s if he can, let them know what
But Kent’s train of thought is interrupted, instantly, at the mention of her name.
He snaps his gaze back to Ivan.
“Thought that would work,” Ivan says slowly, twisting the pen in his hands. “She’s always been your soft spot.”
Kent leans forward, letting Ivan know that he has his attention.
“I saw her, you know,” Ivan says quietly. “Went to that little beach house you set her up in. She didn’t seem too broken up about you.”
A mix of emotions runs through Kent at the news disgust at the idea of Ivan in the house that he bought Fay relief that she’s safe, away from the police (but of course she is they’ve got nothing to hold her on, he made damn sure of that) and then on top of it an incredible grief at the idea of her alone, pregnant, fucking furious at him for getting arrested now of all times
“Actually, you know what, Kent?” Ivan says, his tone considering now, a change that makes Kent refocus on him. “That’s a lie.”
Kent frowns, not understanding.
Ivan smiles slowly, knowing he’s got Kent’s attention now. “I’m going to tell you the truth which is that she was broken up about you.”
Kent’s heart wrenches at the thought.
“She flipped at me called me a traitor, told me she’d never trust me again in her life. But do you know why I can tell you this truth?”
Pride surges through Kent at the idea of Fay biting back at Ivan’s, not collapsing to him, but rage starts to build in him. Because he knows where this is going.
“Because you’re stuck in here,” Ivan says, grinning victoriously, “for the rest of your fucking life. And she’s twenty-two, and she might stick by your side for a little bit, but she’s going to get lonely after a while. And guess who’s going to be there to help her through it?”
Kent’s fist clenches at his side as his jaw tightens.
“That’s right,” Ivan whispers, standing to lean across the table, taunting him. “When you’re stuck in here, Lippert? I’m going to be out there, living with her in the beach house you bought her. And your kid is going to call me dad.”
Ivan’s been ahead on Kent on a lot of things, but one thing he underestimated?
The speed of Kent’s left hook.
Kent’s out of his chair before Ivan can anticipate it, his fist flying before the kid can blink, connecting solidly with his jaw in a blow that rattles Ivan’s teeth.
Ivan stumbles back, moaning, his hand flying to his face
But before Kent can take another step, the door slams open and the guards are on him, wrapping his arms behind his back.
Kent bares his teeth at the kid, who looks up at him in shock and rage, but he lets the guards do their work and doesn’t fight them. Though he could have them flat on their asses in about ten seconds, if he wanted to.
“Nice,” Ivan says, giving him a bloody smile that’s more bravado than pleasure. “Assault of a police officer. We’ll add it to your list.”
Kent forces his body to relax into a possession and cool he absolutely doesn’t feel, turning away from the kid as if he doesn’t matter.
But as his reaction proved Ivan got to him.
Because he’s right, Kent thinks, hanging his head a little as the guards hold him tight, escorting him carefully back to his cell. He’s got nothing but time to get her on his side. I’ve lost her for good.
Janeen, Jerome, and Daniel all watch through the glass of the back door as Fay and her dad sit on the couch, having a long chat during which she explains a lot of stuff that…he probably doesn’t want to know. They’ve been watching the myriad of emotions cross his face, but Janeen is finally relieved to see him smiling, clearly excited about his first grandchild.
Janeen smiles herself, finally feeling a little bit at ease now. Because as far as she’s concerned, even though Kent is out of the picture her dad is very much in. It’s good to finally see the final member of Team Baby on the page.
“What do you think,” Daniel murmurs to her, anxiously biting the nail of his thumb as he stares through the door. “Is he gonna…kill me? Kill her? Break into prison and kill Kent?”
“Nah,” Janeen says with a sigh, turning away from the window and towards the beer that’s waiting for her on the table. “Papa Thompson is a big softie. Why would he be mad at you, anyway?”
“Because I got her into this,” Daniel sighs, taking Janeen’s cue and likewise sitting down at the table, joined by Jerome.
“Yeah,” Janeen says, giving him a weird look as she raises her beer to her lips. “You guys are like…weirdly close for ex’s. What even is she to you now? Your fake fiancée slash new mom?”
Daniel grimaces.
“Nah these two are besties,” Jerome sighs, looking at Janeen with a small smile. “Daniel and Fay are two peas in a fucked-up pod they talk the same, think the same. Even have the same boring-ass hobbies. Books, puzzles. It’s the worst.”
Janeen laughs at this, turning bright eyes on Daniel. “So, are you a horse girl too?”
“Absolutely not,” Daniel says, shuddering. “Horrible animals.”
They all laugh then, taking a much-needed mutual sip of their beers. Things go quiet then, each of them thinking their own independent thoughts on the same subject.
“So, tell me the truth,” Janeen says quietly, and Daniel looks up to see her eyes fixed on him. “Your dad. Does he love her?”
Daniel’s lips press to a thin line as he studies Janeen, deciding what to say. But then he just gives it up and huffs an ironic little laugh before letting his head hang a little.
“Yeah, Janeen,” he sighs, pressing his fingers tight against the bridge of his nose a motion that makes Jerome smirk because it’s something he’s seen Kent do a thousand times. “Yeah, he loves the crap out of her. He…he hasn’t said it, not to her. But dad’s…”
“Closed off? Fucked up? Emotionally stunted and withholding?”
“Yes, yes, and yes?” Daniel says, lifting his head to look her in the eye. “But she’s his kryptonite. I’ve never seen someone break down dad’s walls like she does. I can’t explain it.”
“I can,” she returns instantly, turning to look through the window at her little sister. Daniel smiles to see the very real loyalty and dedication on Janeen’s face.
“Me too,” Jerome says, and then he leans forward and smacks Daniel on the shoulder. “What are you, blind, you idiot?”
Daniel laughs and shrugs. “It was a turn of phrase! Hyperbole!”
“Oh gross, are you and Fay going to use big words all the time?” Janeen asks, turning to sneer at him. Jerome laughs again and Daniel just narrows his eyes at her, but he can’t help his smile.
“All of that aside,” Jerome says, his voice oddly serious enough for the other two to look his way. “Our whole job now is that girl in there,” he says, nodding towards her. “I don’t know if you two have figured it out yet,” he says softly, quietly, “but she’s head of the family now.”
He looks to Daniel then, with a little bit of apology on his face. Because, obviously, Daniel should be the one inheriting that title in Kent’s absence. But they’re all aware and Jerome’s just the first to say it.
“To the boss,” Daniel says, sighing and lifting his beer towards the center of the table. The other two raise theirs, clinking them all together and repeating his words. “May she be a benevolent dictator,” Daniel murmurs after taking a long swig.