Forbidden Love With My Mafia Step-Brother

xa

ead throbbed from the day's chaos. All I wanted was a show

sing, and suitcases were stacked against the wall. My mom stood in the middle of it al

sharper than I meant it to, my eyes flic

, Alexa-you're home at the perfect ti

ou mean, moving? Where? And why didn't you tell me before I left

pt her voice cheerful. "I'll explain everyth

ms crossed instinctively. "Wh

jeans. Finally, she motioned toward the couch, urging me to s

tted, her expression softening. "But th

hit me l

Since when? Who? And why ar

how to explain it to you. Alexa, I know you still carry your fa

this?" I pulled my hands back, a sharp edge to my vo

ine years, sweetheart. Nine years of me raising you alone. Of pretending I was fine when

erase my father-she was trying to find her own happiness. For the first time

dn't judge he

om. I still don't like it, but... I

pulled me into a hug. "Thank you,

she used to when I was little. "Now, hurry upstair

t she stopped me again, her voi

ea

heart. "Thank you-for un

tened. "I love

as enormous-three stories of white stone with tall glass windows that glowed warmly from within. Perfect hedges line

stunned. This wasn't just w

ment he saw my mom, and he rushed forward to embrace h

aughter," my mom sai

herly. "Your mother has told me so much about y

he seemed. His voice even reminded me of

eet you, M

back to my mom, brushing a kiss across her temple. "I

shed marble floors. The interior was breathtaking-sweeping staircases,

life does t

cutlery and steaming dishes. I barely had time to tak

ating when a new vo

ee you mad

ork halfway

ro

against the doorway, his dark

w

n," Jackson announced proudly

th Baron's, neither of us willing to look away. His smirk

fore?" Jackson asked

atly, turning on his heel and w

on sighed. "I'm sorry. Baron's... difficult.

t want a stepfather either, and finding out my mysterious savior from the all

," I blurted, pus

m's voice was

worry. We sit together at school.

otest, I slipped ou

going. I followed instinct, listening for footsteps. When I fi

ng, the next my back was pressed to the wall, his arm braced

or-sharp. "The fact that my father is marrying your mother doe

ould've been angry, but instead there was

out another glance, he disappeared into a ne

zen, my hea

just gotten