Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father (Brooklyn and Aden)

Chapter 110 Brooklyn

The next morning, I reach over and grab my cell phone off of the nightstand, dying to see if Colsen texted me back.

I bite my lip, trying not to smile when I see that I have a message waiting. Eagerly, I click on it.

Colsen: So, has he finally let you out of your cage, Brooklyn?

Colsen: Of course I want to see you. Pick you up at 8.

My smile drops a little as I read the mention of Aden's name, and I sit back on my pillows.

It's not just me and Colsen's secret liaison anymore.

I drop my phone into my lap as I lean against my pillows to think.

I mean, it's never really been just me and Colsen, ever-Aden and my dad were always involved.

But that afternoon at the bar, during that gap in space and time with only the two of us in it, it was...well, it was really nice.

And, quite frankly, I don't like the idea that this is suddenly a triangle. Aden and Colsen, with me in the middle.

I want to have my cake and eat it too-to have both Colsen and Aden in my life, but to keep them in completely separate spaces when the reality is that I'm the pawn in their games, not the other way around.

Well.

At least for now.

I smirk and remind myself that I have Jolie in my back pocket, and that she's had loads of experience playing men against each other to get what she wants.

And she told me precisely how to handle something like this. If Colsen's going to bring Aden into it, then I'm going to double down.

Eagerly, I pick up my phone again and send off a quick reply.

Brooklyn: No worries, I'll come meet you wherever we're going. Can you send the address to Aden so he can arrange the car?

***

When I come back from the stables that afternoon, the house is quiet.

As I head upstairs and turn to my door, I stop in my tracks.

A little white box is sitting on the ground, propped against it, a black bow wrapped around it this time. My stomach drops when I see it.

Embarrassed, I rush forward, grabbing the box as I press through my door, shutting it briskly behind me. Then, I turn to the bed and carry my gift to it, placing it gently down on the duvet gently, as if there might be a bomb inside, ready to explode.

As I open the box, I see that there's no bomb in it but...my breath ratchets up anyway as I lay my eyes on something equally dangerous.

There are two garments inside the box, and one note. I reach for the note slowly unfolding it.

For your date, and then for after.

Be home by midnight. I'll come and find you.

"Crap," I murmur, dropping the note, my knees going to jelly.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to lean back on Jolie's teachings. After all, I knew this was coming-I signed up for it.

So why do I want to skitter away like some scared little rabbit?

I steel myself, clenching my teeth. "Come on, Brooklyn," I murmur to myself, trying to say what Jolie would say. "Be tough."

I exhale sharply through my nose and get back to business. Because it was business, after all-I did sign a contract.

I open my eyes and lift the first garment out of the box.

Despite my tough talk just moments ago, my eyes go wide and my breath catches.

It's a smoky-grey dress, so skimpy it wouldn't be out of place in the opening scenes of Pretty Woman.

“Oh my god,” I murmur, looking at the cutouts on the side, the absolute bare scrap of fabric that's supposed

to cover my ass. Then I glance back down at the box and realize.O

en FindNovel

This isn't even the lingerie.

DUMS

I look back and forth between the

black satin corset and lace panties that are still in the box and the slinky grey dress in my hands, realizing with horror that Aden wants me to wear this out on my date with Colsen-

My cheeks rush with heat as I figure out that Aden is sending me out to Colsen basically naked-dressed

in something Jolie would wear on the main stage.

My embarrassment turns quite quickly to anger and to steely determination, though-faster than it has before.

I narrow my eyes at the dress, realizing what Aden is doing.

He is marking his territory. Making sure Colsen knows who I really belong to.

"Fine," I snap, tossing the dress on the bed and stalking into the bathroom. "You want me to go on this date looking like your hooker? No problem, Aden."

I'd just make him pay through the teeth for it.

Or at least, that's what I say to myself as I turn on my shower and peel off my riding clothes.

Because the reality of standing up to Aden...

Well, it never goes quite as I plan in my head, does it?

***

Lucas is the one to drive me to the date.

We're silent now as we drive, our relationship newly awkward after everything... me knowing about him and Hudson, me leaving him in the road to run off with Colsen.

When we pull up to the restaurant, Lucas grabs my hand as I open the passenger-side door.

"Brooklyn," he says, worry on his face, and I think-some real affection as well. "Just be careful tonight, okay?"

"Okay," I tell him. "Thanks, Lucas." A little warmth spreads through my stomach as he nods back to me. Maybe our friendship isn't totally screwed after all.

Still. I've got business to take care of.

I step out of the car, closing the door behind me, and look for Colsen.

My eyes find him immediately and my stomach turns over.

His six-foot, leanly muscled frame is wrapped, for the first time since I've known him, in a chic black suit his tattoos peaking over the crisp white collar of his dress shirt.

Despite his ease at the valet stand, Colsen is clearly a man of significant power.

It seems like everyone's eyes are drawn to him as they pass through the doors of the restaurant.

But Colsen carries his power easily, like a jaguar moving through the jungle, totally confident in his status as predator, not prey.

His eyes meet mine and flick over my body and he stands up straight to greet me. A small smile curls at the corner of his mouth.

"Hey, Brooklyn," he says quietly as I cross the short distance to us. "You look...nice."

"What?" I ask, looking up at Colsen with a frown. "You don't like my dress?"

He just shakes his head slowly, still smiling but pausing before he replies. "He's just really got his hooks into you, hasn't he?"

My cheeks burn in embarrassment and defiance at his words, the regret in his voice.

But as I look back down at myself, in this ridiculous dress and these crazy heels... Damn it, I know he's right.

I'm Aden's little Barbie doll, and he sent me out dressed like this to let Colsen know it.