Chapter 125

“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...

Oh my god, this isn’t even the lingerie.

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 Kent wants me to wear this out on my date with Ivan –

My cheeks rush with heat as I figure out that Kent is sending me out to Ivan basically naked – dressed in something Janeen 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, suddenly, what Kent is doing.

“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, Kent.”

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

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 Kent...

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

____________________________ I only saw Jerome as I left the house. He was at the foot of the stairs as I tottered down them in the six-inch heels Kent sent me to pair with my outfit.

Jerome had opened his mouth to say something, but I gave him a withering glare as I made my way slowly down the stairs and he just shrugged, holding out a hand to help me balance.

I didn’t ask where Kent or Daniel were as we walked to the garage and he helped me into the car. We’re silent now as we drive, our relationship newly awkward. I glance at him, wondering if he knows that I know about him and Daniel, or if this new stiffness is about me leaving him stranded in the road when I left with Ivan the first time.

No answers come to my questions, though, making me sigh. When we pull up to the restaurant – I do a double-take, surprised to see that it’s actually the same restaurant that Daniel took me to a few weeks ago – Jerome grabs my hand as I open the passenger-side door.

Surprised, I look back him.

Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father Chapter 0124 “Fay,” he says, worry on his face, and – I think – some real affection as well. “Just be careful tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, giving him a little smile. “Thanks, Jerome.” 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 around for Ivan.

My eyes go to him immediately and my stomach turns over, instantly filled with flutters. 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, Ivan is clearly a man of significant power. It seems like everyone’s eyes are drawn to him, inevitably, as they pass through the doors of the restaurant.

But Ivan 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, Fay,” he says quietly as I cross the short distance to us. “You look...nice.”

His words check the final few steps I take towards him, making me hesitate and look down at myself. “What?” I ask, looking back up at Ivan 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, Fay?”

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, but I know he’s right. I’m Kent’s little barbie doll, and he sent me out dressed like this to let Ivan know it.