The Mafia Contract Series

I direct Flynn to the guest room and the walk back to mine is a confusing one. Just leaving him there was strange. Wrong even. I enjoyed our time together and when he mentioned his doubts about his father, I seized on it as if a lifeline was thrown in my direction. Is it possible? Did his uncle lie to Vivian? Flynn certainly believes it’s a possibility and so rather than grab my novel from the bookstand, I seize my laptop and start googling the hell out of Massimo Delauren.

It sobers me up pretty quickly, and I stare in amazement at the lifestyle of a man who appears shrouded in secrecy. Nothing but rumor and gossip about a man who appears to live way beyond even my father’s means, and I wonder about him. I cross reference my own family history and am surprised when my father isn’t mentioned on the same page. It’s as if all traces of their parentage have been erased and it’s not evident that they are related at all.

As I glance at my phone, I wonder if I have the courage to make the call I’m considering because I wasn’t kidding when I told Flynn I knew people. I do. V ery influential ones who would be able to find what I need with no questions asked, but I will risk my father finding out I’ve been snooping. He might be angry about involving others in family business when he still needs to come to terms with it himself.

The trouble is, I’ve always been impetuous, and I can’t possibly sleep with this weighing heavily on my mind.

Tossing caution aside, I reach for my phone and press call and hope like crazy he doesn’t answer.

“Louisa mi angel.”

“Uncle Pedro, I’m sorry to call so late.”

“It’s never too late to call me. Are you in trouble?”

He sounds anxious and I experience a surge of love for my godfather.

“No, but I wondered if you could tell me anything about dad’s brother, Massimo.”

“I could, but the question is, why are you asking?”

“For a friend.”

“And this friend, does he or she have a name?”

Now I’m not so sure this was such a good idea. I don’t want to get Flynn in any trouble, and I certainly don’t want to upset my father, so I backtrack quickly.

“It’s ok, I shouldn’t have asked. I’ll ask dad when he comes home.”

“Ok mi querido but if he doesn’t answer your questions, you get back in touch. Say hi to your parents.”

“Thanks uncle, sleep well.”

His low laughter makes me smile.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

“I always do querido, it’s the rest who don’t.”

I cut the call and feel so stupid. What did that achieve but alert him to a problem that I’m pretty sure he’s on the phone with my father about now?

I don’t know what I expected, but I thought he’d give me something, at least.

Once again, I turn to the web and as I look at a grainy picture of my absent uncle Massimo, I peer closer to see if there is any resemblance to Flynn at all. If anything, the man gives me the creeps, and it’s doubtful my sleep won’t be filled with nightmares tonight.

I pray to God for Flynn’s sake that this man isn’t his father, and my mind returns to the whispered conversations I’ve overheard in the past concerning him.

It’s obvious my father hates him, and it goes way back since before I was born. But how does Vivian know him, and how did she come to work at my father’s office all the way from LA? There’s obviously more to it, and I try to close my eyes on the frustration and banish the demons.

The trouble is, he’s standing behind them. Flynn. I can’t shake his image because I have an unhealthy interest in him. The looks he gave me, the gentle touch, and the concern in his eyes. That body that looked so powerful when he rolled up his sleeves and the smirk on his lips as he watched me drink his martini. The heat tears through me as I picture a different use of his lips.

Reaching under my sweater, I trace my fingers over the parts of me I wish he would kiss with his lips. I close my eyes and picture him beside me, sliding between my legs and doing something no man has ever done before. The wet heat reminds me how wicked I am because I haven’t forgotten he could be family and that only makes it more forbidden, incestuous even and yet how can I switch this man off from my mind? I am shocked by my reaction to him and the fact he’s from a mafia family only thrills me even more. He’s dangerous in every way and as bad boys go, I have fixated on a good one because if God grants me only one wish in life, it’s that Flynn is not connected to me by blood in the slightest.

MY ALARM WAKES me at six am and bleary eyed, I stare at the ceiling. My mind struggles to catch up as I remember the events from yesterday. So much happened and I wonder what today will bring.

The trouble is, I don’t have time to think about that because I have a meeting to attend, and I need to be focused because this is my future. It’s so important for me to impress my father and prove I’m a worthy successor.

As I shower, my mind wanders back to Flynn, and I wonder if he slept well last night. Will I see him today and how long will he stay?

As I soap my body, it hums with a need for something that can never be mine and, as the frustration hits me, I force myself to concentrate on something else. Anything else, even my sister, because I can’t allow myself to dream the impossible.

I HEAD to breakfast and am not surprised that it’s just my father and me and as I take my seat opposite him, he looks at me sharply.

“I had a call last night.”

My heart sinks like a stone tossed in a river.

“I figured you might.”

“What did you need to know?”

My father appears concerned, and I sigh. “I feel bad for Flynn. He was so cut up thinking Massimo is his father and wondered if his uncle had told Vivian the truth. He is doubtful about that, so I asked Uncle Pedro for help to see if he could tell me anything.”

“There is nothing you need to know about that man.”

“I’m not a child, dad.” I huff impatiently. “I know he’s your brother, and you fell out.”

“Then you know everything I want you to.”

He turns his attention to the newspaper, and I sigh with frustration.

A movement by the door diverts my attention and my heart lifts when Flynn enters the room and hesitates. “I’m sorry. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

I feel bad for him and smile my encouragement and as my father looks up, I watch a thousand emotions cross his face as he says kindly, “Take a seat, Flynn. Perhaps we should have that conversation now.”

I look at him in surprise and he smiles. “You’re right, Louisa. There are things that need to be said, and it’s wrong of me to shut them down.”

I’m more surprised at that than anything so far and a surge of love for my father hits me. He’s such a decent man and I couldn’t love him more than I do at this moment.

I catch Flynn’s eye and smile reassuringly and don’t miss the caginess in his own expression.

As I pour him a coffee I wave to the spare seat beside me and as he takes it, I settle down to listen to a story I am desperate to learn has a happy ending.