Fall For My Ex's Mafia Dad novel Chapter 140

At eleven, I walk through the door to the garages, a sigh on my lips. I see Jerome immediately, waiting by one of the black cars. He gives me a big smile, which I return unenthusiastically. It’s not him – I just…really don’t want to go to lunch at my father’s house.

Jerome gives me an understanding little grimace as he opens the back door for me and I climb in.

“You doing all right?” he calls over his shoulder as opens the driver’s door and sits down in the front seat, genuinely curious.

“Just ready for this to be over,” I say back to him, leaning my head back and closing my eyes. Jerome makes a little grunt of understanding and begins to pull out of the garage and down the driveway.

When we’re on the road, I pull out my burner phone to send some long-delayed texts. I feel safe using it in my room, but not really anywhere else in the house. Not that my room is really safe anyway – Kent is very likely to have it checked daily, after the note from Fiona.

Still, better safe than sorry.

I’m pleased when I see that a text from Ivan is waiting.

Ivan: Good morning, beautiful. I hope you slept well. Any chance I get to see you tonight?

I sigh, really wanting to say yes, but knowing it’s impossible.

Fay: Sorry, already have plans. Send me a pic so I know how desperately sad this news makes you.

I laugh, a few seconds later, when Ivan sends me a picture of him with an exaggerated frown, tracing a finger down his cheek like a tear. Jerome looks curiously at me in the rearview mirror so I do my best to wipe my face clean, not wanting him to know what I’m up to. Then, I reply to Ivan.

Fay: You’re pretty even when you’re sad. Check in with me later.

Janeen: Or how you got it! Proud of you sis. Make that $$$

She ends the text with the emojis of a cat with heart eyes, a peach, and an eggplant that, in combination, make me blush. I tuck my phone away, newly bolstered for the afternoon ahead of me.

We pull up to my father’s house not long after and I see my stepmother Tristin waiting by the door, her arms crossed. Little Romulus stands next to her, waving enthusiastically. I smile at him, grateful that at least someone is happy to see me.

When I step out of the car, Romulus dashes to me, wrapping his arms around my leg in greeting.

“Hey kid!” I say, laughing and ruffling his hair.

“Hi, sister!” he exclaims, grinning up at me. “I missed you! Why did you stay away?”