Fall For My Ex's Mafia Father novel Chapter 53

I hesitate, but the decision is made for me as Daniel’s hand pulls me forward, locked around mine. I follow him, my breath coming fast and sharp in my chest, an ache rising in my muscles as I push, push.

As we go, it gets quieter. We run through a small set of woods, across the soft green grass of some golfing greens – even through and over a tiny creek that stands in our way as we head towards another set of trees – this one larger, a copse of pine.

When we’re under their boughs, I fall to my knees.

“Please,” I pant, putting my hands down on the ground as well, ignoring the spikes of old dry needles that press into my palms and legs. “Please, Daniel –“ I say, sucking air into my lungs “I just need – just one minute –“

“Okay,” he says, crouching down next to me, looking around warily. “I think…I think we may be okay for now – we may have lost them –“

I nod, agreeing, but not really knowing whether or not he’s right. I concentrate on the ground, on getting air back into my lungs, the sweet feel of it bringing clarity to my thoughts, to my panicked emotions.

“What was that,” I ask, looking up at Daniel with worry and horror on my face. He’s much calmer than me, both physically and mentally. “How are you so okay – have you done this before?!”

He shrugs. “Once or twice,” he says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “It doesn’t get…better. But you stop being so shocked, after your first time.”

I laugh ruefully, then, realizing that Daniel means that this won’t be the last time this happens to him, or to me. This is part of the life.

I open my mouth to ask more when a dark figure comes into sight. Both Daniel and I scramble back –

“It’s fine,” the figure says, coming forward and stretching out a hand. My fear subsides when I recognize Kent’s voice.

“Dad,” Daniel says, rushing over to him. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” Kent growls, but I can see that he’s clutching his left arm with his right hand. Daniel bends down to look at it but Kent flinches away. “Seriously, it’s not deep,” he murmurs. “The phone is in my pocket,” he says next, nodding down at his suitcoat. “Get it out, text Carlos. Drop a pin to let him know our location and tell him to meet us.”