SWNOVELS Chapter 24
Gifts
Chapter 24 — Getting to Know my Mafia Dad—1
I'm alone in the back seat of the black sedan that takes me to dinner at my
father’s house.
I look up at the grey stone mansion and grimace, not looking forward to this. I
know that there should probably be some curiosity in me, some desire to know
more about my family and my heritage. But honestly? Lorenzo Alden doesn’t feel
anything like my father. That, to me, will always be David.
Kent sent two guards with me and instructed them to stay by me at all times. For
protection, presumably, but also — I think — to be Kent's eyes and ears at the
meeting. Alden is his ally, but I think even the term “ally” in this underworld has
some tenuous distrust built into it.
I had begged David to come with me but Kent denied that too. Alden, apparently,
wanted me all to himself. Great. I was already awkward enough, now I have to go
into this alone? It was definitely going to be a disaster.
The guards get out of the front of the car after they park and come around to
open my door. I step out and sigh, wishing I was anywhere else. The stables,
preferably, getting to know Heathcliff.
The three of us troupe up the front steps to the house and formally ring the bell. I
twist my mouth at the irony here. If he's
dad — if this is my house — shouldn't I be able to walk right
my
As we step in, I stop dead in my tracks. The guards almost bump
into me.
“Are you okay?” one asks — Jerome, I think. One of the friendlier guards in Kent's
employ.
“Yes,” I murmur in response, staring around the room.
But in reality? I'm totally not okay.
Walking into this house is like walking into a dream. I've been here before, I
suddenly realize. I know things about this space — what's around some of the
corners, what things will feel like, what it smells like. Even the rugs are familiar —
a soft burnt orange, thick and plush underneath my feet. The arch that leads into
the dining room — yes, I know that, and if I look just beyond
it Pll find...
Yes, there. A hutch, filled with blue and white china.
“Oh my god,” I murmur, looking around as I slowly walk through the dining room.
The maid looks at me hesitantly. “Dinner isn’t ready yet, miss,” she says. “If you'll
come with me to the sitting room...”
I ignore her — not really meaning to be rude, but I can’t help myself as I walk to
the back of the room and push open the door to the kitchen. The avocado green
fridge and stove are exactly as I remember them. Except, I didn’t know that I did
remember
them.
No
I hear footsteps behind me, “Familiar, is it?”
Chapter 24 — Getting to Know Mafia Dad-2
my
He looks around at the kitchen. “We couldn't keep you out of here,” he says,
“your mother, the maids, or me. You always wanted to come in and pull out all of
the pots and pans. Pretend you were cooking. Or just bang on them.”
I just stare at him, bewildered. I was only five when we went to live with David — it
was certainly old enough to remember something. How did I remember nothing?
Alden indulges me for a moment and then nods back towards the living room.
“Come,” he says. “I want to introduce you to some people.”
I follow, still staring around at the house. My house, where I lived, as a small
child. As I consider it, I realize that they are not unhappy memories — I have no
feelings of fear or trauma attached to this place.
Which, I suppose, is a good thing.
Alden leads me into the sitting room, my guards following closely behind. When
we enter, I'm surprised to see a woman sitting there with a boy at her side and a
baby in her lap.
“Fay,” Alden says, putting out a hand to me. “I'd like to introduce you to Tristin,
my wife.” I blink at the woman,
me that my father had
She doesn't reply, simply giving me a cold look. She’s a beautiful woman, petite,
with dark hair and large hazel eyes. Her full pink lips are pursed with dislike.
“And this,” Alden says, gesturing towards the children, “Is my son Romulus and
my daughter Estrella. Your...ah. Your half siblings, I suppose.” He runs a hand
awkwardly through his hair.
I smile at Romulus, who looks up at me with excited eyes. He's the picture of his
mother, really — dark hair, delicate pale skin, pretty hazel eyes. The baby is also
very sweet, smiling up at me in her white bonnet. As I look at the three of them, I
can tell that Tristin has dressed them in pale green to match her own outfit.
A glance at the green accents on Alden’s suit suggest that he’s part of their group
as well. I look down at myself, dressed in sapphire blue. Perhaps she’s sending
me a message about exactly who belongs in this family.
“Welcome,” Tristin says, her voice cold. She looks me up and down with distaste.
I sigh, seeing that this isn’t going to be an easy road.
“Thank you,” I say, doing my best to give them all a smile as I lower myself
awkwardly into a chair by the coffee table. We're silent as a maid brings in a
silver tray with a tea set on it. As she lays it down on the table, I can't help but
stare at it.
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Gifts
Chapter 24 — Getting to Know my Mafia Dad-3
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« ” . p
Oh my god,” I say, leaning in close to
“ 5
get a better look. “I remember this.
) : : ”
There's a little chip...” I turn the sugar
bowl halfway round and, indeed,
there it is. Right on the rim. The
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Alden laughs a little but Tristin goes stiff in her seat. “Yes, well,” she says, shifting
uncomfortably. “If someone would let me replace it.”
“Oh no,” I say without thinking, looking up at them all. “I's such a beautiful set —
you can’t possibly —
“Well if you're so fond of it,” she says, glaring at me. “You shall take it with you
when you go.”
I bite my lip, realizing that it's not precisely a friendly gesture that she’s making.
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« » :
In fact,” she says, glaring at me and
. «
gesturing all around the room. “I
guess all of this is yours now. So you
should take it with you. Thank you so
much for graciously letting me live
among your inheritance for so many
” .
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“I =" I start, but then I fade off, not knowing what to say. My inheritance? What
was she talking about?
then screaming at each other, flinging insults and accusations
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left and right. Alden lifts his hand
once in threat against his wife, and in
response Tristin picks up a music
box, hurling it at his face. He dodges,
but ss soon as it crashes against the
wall, Romulus flees from the room
and one of my guards wraps his
hand around my upper arm. The
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“Time to go,” Jerome says, giving me a little tug.
B
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