Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad
Chapter 49

Kent climbs out of the second of three cars that take him and his captains to the meeting. He has shown up in force today, his overblown security force a deliberate message to Alden. Kent is done being pushed around and will rally his superior forces to stop it, if necessary. Climbing the short few steps into the strip club, Kent remembers the last time he was here. When he had followed Fay into the Champagne Room, saw that pig of a man pressing her up against the cocktail table, ready to do as he pleased with her. That moment had set his blood on fire. He had acted mostly on instinct that night, thinking he was helping a pretty young girl who didn't deserve to be wrapped up in Dean's particular brand of s****l depravity. Little did he know what a diamond he'd found in this rough space.

Kent and his crew enter, heading directly for the back of the club, ignoring the pounding music and the dancers lighting up the stage. Instead, Kent's crew works their way towards a back door where one of Kent's security detail is already waiting. The security agent nods to Kent, letting him know all is well, so Kent pushes through the door.

Alden is there already, waiting, as Kent knew he would be. Kent had delayed deliberately, had let the man wait.

"Lippert," Alden says, tapping his fingers against the low coffee table set in front of him that has a spread of food and drinks already laid upon it. The room was nice, for a strip joint - the nicest they had. Leather seating ranges around the room with purple and chrome accents.

Alden has brought his own small crew - certainly fewer than Kent's numbers. They look around anxiously as Kent's people fill the room.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Kent says, still standing, looking down at Alden. Letting him know precisely his place in the relationship.

Alden sneers at Kent, just a little, his lip twitching with displeasure. He understands everything Kent's late arrival, his increased forces, and condescending manner are trying to say to him. And he doesn't appreciate it.

"Sit down, Kent," Alden says, leaning back on his chair and pretending a casual attitude he doesn't actually feel. "You called this meeting, pulled me out to this rat's den in the middle of the day. What is it you want to say!" Kent does sit, one of his captains pulling over a chair for him.

"I want to know what you're playing at," Kent says carefully, leaning forward so an elbow rests on his knee. "I want to know why you're hosting parties at which your daughter is having intimate chats with Ivan."

"Intimate chats," Alden says, laughing lightly, trying to play it off. "It was just a little barbeque at the beach - they ended up sitting next to each other, by chance. These young attractive people - you know how they always seem to find each other." Kent says nothing, simply narrowing his eyes at Alden. Letting him know he doesn't buy it.

Alden just shrugs, leaning back against his seat. "She's a beautiful girl, my Fay. Young men want to talk to her. I can't help that."

Kent carefully notes the possessive in Alden's sentence. His Fay. Kent rankles at the ownership there, but doesn't let it show on his face.

"What was Ivan even doing at your barbeque, Alden?" Kent asks, leaning further forward and putting on the pressure. "The last time we talked, you told me that he was responsible for the attempt on my life at that party you threw to introduce Fay to your family." "A misunderstanding," Alden says lightly, waving a hand to dismiss it. "Ivan spoke to me, after he realized that the evidence was pointing towards him. Assured me, in no uncertain terms, that he had nothing to do with it."

"And you never thought to share that information with me?" Kent asks, turning his head to the side, his question taking on the edge of a threat. "Though surely you would have known that I would be interested."

Alden just shrugs, leaning casually forward and taking a chicken wing from a platter on the table. He takes a nibble of it before responding. "Well, Ivan told me that he wanted to tell you himself. Assure you in the same certain terms."

As if on cue, the door opens again, a young man pushing through. Unlike Kent and Alden, he's totally alone. He's dressed well, though he prefers designer sweatsuits to the traditional suit. He wears them exclusively in shades of black and grey, to compliment his monochrome tattoos.

"Sorry, if I'm late," Ivan says, smirking at Kent, standing with his feet apart and his hands in his pockets.

Kent clenches his jaw and looks slowly between Ivan and Alden, rage festering in his stomach. As he does, every single one of his men puts a hand on the gun at their hip.

This was certainly not part of the plan. Alden was pushing the envelope here, letting Kent know that his allegiances have changed.

"Ivan," Kent says, taking what control he can. "So nice of you to come." The venom in his words lets everyone in the room know that he means precisely the opposite.

"It's time you two talked," Alden says as Ivan crosses the small room and takes a seat at the table. "There is two much bad blood between you, even though you should be in business."

"I have no bad blood with him," Kent says, leaning back in his chair and putting his hands in his pockets, looking purposefully at his captain to let him know to be ready in case this goes in the wrong direction. His captain gives Kent a subtle nod. "Bullshit," Ivan says, leaning back to casually rest his arm over the back of his chair. He fixing Kent with a confident stare. "I know you went the Warden, told him to take me out. Told him I'm to green to handle my trade."

Kent just blinks at Ivan, neither confirming nor denying. But inside, he's pissed. Someone leaked the information, and someone was going to pay for it.

if reading his mind, Ivan smirks at him. "Don't bother looking within your people for who spilled the news. The Warden told me himself," Ivan says, slowly leaning forward, looking Kent eagerly in the eye, "just before I cut his throat." Kent clenches his teeth, staring at this boy, this kid - who has the fucking gall -

God damnit. Kent works hard to control his anger in this moment, to let none of it pass over his face. He wasn't going to give these two anything.

But, it was a blow. He had worked hard to get the Warden on his side - had spent two months in jail to do it, damnit, had lost his vineyard in France to make that deal -

And out of it, he got nothing.

Alden and Ivan had teamed up, and with no Warden in his back pocket...

Kent suddenly realizes his extreme disadvantage in the world of organized crime. Unfortunately, Alden and Ivan were one step ahead of him, and had known of it days before he did - maybe weeks, even.

Kent stands then, in one swift and graceful movement. This meeting was over. He couldn't - wouldn't sit here and negotiate, not without knowing precisely where he stood in this world. He needed more information, now. "Leaving so soon?" Alden says, smiling up at Kent, pretending a concern that he certainly doesn't feel.

Kent doesn't answer, just nods to his men and heads for the door. They have to get out of here, before any more surprises reveal themselves.

"Kent," Ivan calls, just as Kent reaches the door. Against his better judgement, Kent turns to listen.

"Tell Fay I said hi," Ivan says with a smirk, and then a wink. "And that I'll be seeing her real soon."

Grinding his teeth, Kent turns and heads out the door, walking in the center of his men. As a group, they head directly for the front door.

As they walk through the main room, a flash of purple hair catches Kent's eye and he glances at one of the dancers who, uncharacteristically, has stopped dancing on one of the side stages.

"Lippert!" she calls after him, her voice shaking with anger. He ignores her and keeps going. "Lippert!" she says again, louder this time, trying to get his attention. "Where the fuck is my sister!?"

Kent glances at her this time as he walks, getting a better look, but he keeps walking as he does so, unwilling to check his pace. He recognizes her, though. Janeen Thompson, Fay's sister. He makes a mental note of it. The cars are still waiting where they left them, the drivers ready. Kent nods to his as he climbs into the passenger seat, letting him to know to head out. Fast.

As they roll away, Kent curses to himself under his breath, staring out the window at the passing city without really seeing it.

Ivan, with Fay's name on his lips. It made his blood boil.

She was the one card he had left to play, apparently. Alden had turned tail, switching his allegiances to this young kid after twenty-some years of allegiance to the Lippert family. And it severely messed with Kent's plans. The only thing he had keeping Alden from making a real move was Fay.

Kent had to keep her at all costs. If he didn't, he could lose everything.