Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad
Chapter 55

"Oh!" I says, and then I give Kent a big smile. I'm excited, after all. "Out, actually! Daniel just came by and asked me if I want to go to dinner."

Kent smiles at me then, just raising the little corner of his mouth. "The black, then," he says, nodding towards a little minidress still hanging in my closet. "That's better, for a city dinner."

I considers the dress, which is really just a scrap of fabric. I pull it out and look it up and down. "You don't think it's too..." I say, hesitating and looking up at him, a little embarrassed. "Well, slutty?"

Kent laughs a little at this, leaning against my door frame. "The whole point of going to a chic restaurant in the city is to wear a dress like that and make your boyfriend jealous when all the other men stare at you. That's why a dress like that exists."

I look back at the dress then, surprised and a little excited. I had never thought about it that way. I sneak a little glance at Kent, then, still leaning there in my doorway, wondering what he'd think if he saw me on Daniel's arm, in this dress, the hem riding a little too high on my thigh. Then, I take it off the hanger and lay it out on the bed, the question decided.

I start to move over to my vanity but stop dead in my tracks at his next question.

"Do you want to marry Daniel?" he asks, blunt.

I just stand there, blinking at him, totally confused. "What?"

"Daniel," Kent says, pushing the issue. "Do you want to marry him?"

Where was all of this coming from?

I take a moment to plan my next words. "I didn't realize that I had a choice," I say, keeping my voice quiet.

"No one will force you to say yes at the altar," Kent replies, his voice low and husky.

Oh, I think, then, realizing very suddenly that this isn't a real question about what I want. That this is a negotiation. I turn fully to him then, folding my arms over her chest.

"I don't want to go to my father's house," I say, evading the question of marriage. "I want to stay here." Because that, I think, is what this is really about. Kent, I know, could care less about whether or not I actually marry Daniel - our wedded life isn't what interests him. Instead, it's my allegiance.

"There are other ways," Kent says, his eyes drifting down over my body, "of staying in this house. Of proving your loyalty to this family."

My breath comes shallow, then, and I try to stand perfectly still as he looks me over.

"What are they?" I ask, my voice a timid breath. We're getting dangerously close to some tricky territory with this question, with that look in his eye.

"Use your imagination," Kent says, dragging his eyes up to mine. Then, as if he can't stand it a moment later, he turns away from me, heading back down the stairs.

I let him go, but step to the edge of the banister to watch him as he heads back downstairs. I see that his hands are clenched into fists, his knuckles white. The only thing belying the tension behind that strange question he just asks.

And frankly, I would consider it.

Did I want to marry Daniel?

What were the alternatives? Were any of them anything I could actually accept?

"Are you ready?" Daniel asks, coming out of his room in a chic suit, looking so much like his dad at that moment that I just stare at him. He blinks at me, confused.

And I realize that there is absolutely no heat between us, between Daniel and I.

But me and Kent...

Damnit, we could start a forest fire, if we weren't careful.

What the hell was I supposed to do with that?

The next morning I get up very early, stretching my arms over my head as I consider my plans for the day. The stables, for sure, but...well, I hope that if I can catch Kent early, maybe he'll let me go visit my sister and my dad this afternoon. I haven't seen my dad in so long, and my visit with Janeen just made me miss him so much.

I climb out of bed swiftly, then, eager to get started.

Dinner with Daniel had been really nice and - well, Kent had been right. The dress he suggested really had drawn the eye. Not that Daniel really noticed. Instead, the experience just solidified for me just how much of our marriage will be a cozy friendship instead of. Well, instead of something else. Something spicier.

As I pull on my tight riding pants, I consider Kent's words last night. Is marriage to Daniel really my best choice in this world? Did I really want to trade my hand in marriage - my own trump card, apparently - for something I'm sure won't truly fulfill me emotionally? If there are other ways to demonstrate my loyalty to the Lippert family - and keep the benefits of my life here - shouldn't I explore them?

My mind surprises me, then, by turning to Ivan.

He had told me himself that he was throwing his hat into the ring. And, well. He noticed me in ways that Daniel certainly does not. I have to admit, too, that I'm definitely drawn to him.

Was there something there, in that option?

I bite my lip, considering it as I pull my boots on. He's still Kent's enemy. What would it mean, really, to consider Ivan as a romantic option? What would it cost me, in terms of my connections to the Lippert clan?

I sigh, finally getting my boot on and hunching my shoulders for a minute. These questions are way too big to be asking without coffee. My mind on a caffeine boost, I walk to my door, pulling it open, ready to head downstairs.

I'm shocked, though, to see someone already there.

I jump backwards as the figure hurries past me and then down the stairs. He's got a hoodie pulled up over his head, so I can't see who it is, but he's certainly young, and with the height and broad shoulders of a guy. Suddenly, I hear the noise of Daniel's door snicking shut down the hall and my mouth drops open as I put the pieces together.

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Daniel had a guy in his room last night!

I giggle a little to myself, pressing my hand over my mouth to contain the noise. He'd told me he was interested in someone, but I hadn't realized he was sleeping with them. How long had this been going on?

I take a few steps into the hall, peering down the steps, but whoever it is has disappeared. I shake my head, then, starting down the stairs myself as I consider that this is certainly not a mark in the be-loyal-to-Daniel category. Clearly, he's not being loyal to me - not even really pretending to be.

Oh well. A problem for another time, I think, walking down the hall and pressing the door open to the kitchen.

It's very early, but there are still a few people here, getting their day started. I walk over to the espresso machine and make myself a cup, looking around for Kent. I hope I get to ask him about a trip to see my dad before the day has a chance to piss him off.

I screw my mouth to the side, though, disappointed when I realize that he's not here. I lean back against the counter on which the espresso machine rests, taking a sip of my hot drink and considering my next choices.

To my surprise, Jerome pushes through the door to the kitchen and smiles at me, coming right over. "Hey," he says. "Stables today?"

I nod eagerly. "Yeah, I'm just looking for Kent first - I wanted to ask him -"

His grimace stops my words, though. "Ohhh," he says, "sorry, Fay. But he's already gone."

"What!" I exclaim, my shoulders slumping in my disappointment. "Man, I got up early and everything! I thought I would catch him."

"Sorry," he says, putting his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, he's got a lot of business today and wants to get started early. But!" He gives me a big smile here. "He wants me to take you to the tables. So," he gives me a deep, mocking bow, "I'm at your service, my lady." "What?" I say, shocked. "Seriously? You?"

He laughs and straightens up, nodding. "I know. I was surprised as you are. He gave me that look that meant touch her and you die, though. So." He shrugs, "best behavior and everything. But looks like I'm back on good terms with the boss."

"He's so crazy," I murmur, looking down into my coffee. "One day he's punching you for hanging out with me, the next he assigns you to hang out with me. I can't make any sense out of him."

"Maybe he likes it that way," Jerome says, shrugging again. "Keeps people on their toes with the chaos of his moods."

"Well," I murmur, setting my cup back on the machine and pushing the buttons again for a refill. "If we've got all day, might as well have a luxurious breakfast."

Jerome nods eagerly in agreement and heads off to ask whoever is cooking today to make us something. Then, we sit down at my usual table, chatting passively. About thirty minutes into our meal, Daniel joins us, the two greeting each other casually as Daniel comes and gives me a kiss on my cheek.

Huh, I think, looking between them as Daniel sits and they begin to converse easily. I didn't even know they knew each other.