Forbidden Temptation My Mafia Fiance's Alpha Father

Chapter 43 Chapter Brooklyn 43 Aden stands above me, waiting forto put on whatever is in the mystery box. He looks distracted and impatient.

Confused, I lift the box into my lap and open the top, gasping a little as I see a pair of gorgeous boots. They're tall, nearly knee-high, and made of supple black leather with a delicate little buckle around the ankle.

"Where are we going?" I ask, my face lighting up. Honestly, I don't care where we go, as long as it's somewhere else. "Is Hudson coming, too?" "You'll see," Aden says, turning and heading towards the garage. I'm not even sure what part of my question he is answering. "Meetby the car when you're ready." I quickly pull on my socks, not caring that it will ruin my pedicure, and then tug the boots on as quick as I can. When I finally get them on, they fit perfectly.

As usual, Aden has guessed my size down to the centimeter.

I admire the boots for a moment and then spring to my feet, heading to the car.

There is no Hudson. As Aden drives us in silence to wherever we're going, I think about how this is the first twe have been truly alone in weeks.

Since he threatenedin my bedroom, made those accusations about my desires.

I try to put that aside. He's takingout, after all! Now, I note the subtle smile playing on his lips, and wonder what he's up to.

We're about fifteen out of the city now. Oh how I've missed the sight of nature, of a world beyond Aden's compound.

He slows in what seems like the middle of nowhere, turning towards a simple gravel drive crossed with a metal gate.

He presses a button on the roof of the car and the metal gate slowly swings open. I look closely, but I can't see anything beyond it.

We drive a little down the lane, over a slight rise, and then a barn comes into view. A beautiful barn, really, immaculately cared for and painted in shades of gray. Three little gables peak out of the roof and two little cupolas crown it, weathervanes at their peeks.

"Oh!" I'm completely charmed by the sight. But then I see the real draw. In a series of pastures beyond the barn, my eyes can just barely see a group of horses grazing in the afternoon light.

"Horses!" I breathe.

Aden turns the car into a parking spot next to the barn.

"I thought you'd like it," he says. "One look at you and anyone could tell you grew up dreaming of horses." I want to ask him what that even means, but I'm too happy to dwell on it. I scramble to unbuckle my seatbelt and open the door at once. My words fall over each other in my hurry.

"Can I feed them? Do they have any foals?!" Before I can dash into the barn, Aden holds out an arm to stop me. "Lettake the lead here, all right, Brooklyn?" When I meet his eyes, I do a double take. His expression, so often surly and serious, is somehow... gentler? Kinder? We both pause, taking each other in. But then he blinks, walking calmly into the barn. I follow closely at his heels.

"Sir!" A young man with sandy hair down to his shoulders approaches. He's dressed almost like a cowboy, with jeans tucked into Western boots and a button-down plaid shirt.

It takesonly a second to realize he's a wolf.

So Aden left that life behind, but he still has one foot in it.

"He's all ready for you, gentle as can be. A real beauty," the young shifter says.

The three of us walk through the stable to the last stall on the right, which the stable hand pulls open.

Aden walks up to the open door and leans on the far side of it, nodding into the stall.

"What do you think?" he asks.

Holding my breath with excitement, I peak around the corner of the stall to see the most beautiful thing I've ever set eyes on.

"Oh," I breathe as I take another step forward and cover my mouth with my fingertips, just staring at him.

A beautiful blood bay gelding stands in front of me, an Arabian by the arch of his neck and the height at which he holds his tail.

The horse gently paws at the shavings of his stall, looking over at us curiously.

My eyes sweep over him, his glossy mane, his wide and gentle eye. And immediately, I know it.

I'm in love.

"Can I..." I say, glancing over at Aden. "Can I go in? Can I touch him?" Aden nods at me. Beyond him, I can see that the stable hand is equally pleased.

I turn quickly back to the horse, taking a gentle step forward. The skin on his shoulder twitches a little, but otherwise he does not balk as I walk towards him.

I hold out a hand to his nose, palm up, and he gently lips my palm m saying hello checking to see if I have a snack.

Slowly, I raise my other hand to run over the rich blaze that runs down his face, stepping close to run a hand over his velvety neck. "Do you like him?" Aden asks, behind me. His face is serious, but slightly nervous, I realize.

I can only roll my eyes. What a stupid question.

"I thought you might." Aden laughs. Then he pauses. "I'm rarely wrong in my choice of presents. Never, really." I freeze at his words. What...? Does he mean...

Slowly, I turn back to him and see him smile at my shock.

"He's yours, Brooklyn," Aden says to me. "If you want him." I embarrass myself then by bursting into tears.