Falling For The Mob

43 History

~AN Okay so this is a pretty long chapter. At first it was 2 but I decided to combine them. This entire chapter is set in the past.

TW : SA

Seven years ago

Addy

“You need to stop before someone sees us. Uncle Jack will be here any second.”

Heat rushes through my body as I feel his breath fan against my neck. “I can always pretend to get sick. We can go home and cancel brunch altogether. I’m sure I can be better entertainment than that old man.”

“Not that I ever wish to compete, but show some respect, boy.” His deep voice chuckles with amusement, forcing Lawrence to suddenly straighten up in his seat.

Still holding his grin, Jack drops the newspaper in front of us and takes a seat. “Oh gosh, did they have to use that picture?”

Lawrence reaches over the table and folds open the paper, showing the headlines that feature our engagement. “The citys most eligible bachelor finally taken off the market.” Jack recites the words proudly.

“Don’t worry about it, babe. You look beautiful as always.” My fiancé kisses my temple, but no comfort comes until he finally closes the paper and moves it out of sight. The media has been in a frenzy for the last two days, and the attacks have been coming from all directions. It seems that with the announcement, the entire city has taken it upon themselves to dig up everything they can, which includes the endless line of models, heiresses, and actresses that my not-so-innocent fiancé has dated before me. Even the positive news seems to have hidden meaning, and I found myself avoiding every screen and form of print media.

The pleasantries are kept short as Uncle Jack has to get back to work running the Claymore Group and the many other extra activities this family is involved in.

“The reason I invite you kids here is because of the big changes coming our way. With Addison here becoming a Claymore, it’s time we begin formulating what role she wants to play in this family.”

My back tenses as his eyes land on me. I love the man as if he were my own blood, but I am well aware of what this family does behind the curtains. My eyes snap to Lawrence, who seems as confused as me. We have discussed this countless times, and he assured me that I would never be forced into anything.

He clears his throat, “With all due respect, Addy and I, we...”

The man raises his hand, cutting his nephew off. “Lawrence, will you excuse us? I believe that this matter is best discussed between Addison and myself.”

Though stated as a question, we all know it to be an order. I look at Lawrence, hoping that he doesn’t walk out, but I know it is too much to ask. Nobody defies an order coming from Jack.

His normally sharp eyes soften as the door clicks behind me, leaving us alone.

“My dear, you needn’t worry. I did not invite you here to force you into anything. Even though your father and I have worked closely together for years, I am well aware of your disdain towards our families’ less-than-legal activities.”

He smiles sweetly at me the way he has done since I was a toddler. He has always been a bit softer on me than his own nephews. “I simply want to know what it is that you want to do with your life. You’ve graduated over a year ago, and my sources tell me that every major firm in the city has attempted to recruit you, yet you turn them all down.”

It has been such a hectic two years for me since I returned to the city. I was in my last year, and upon arrival, Lawrence wasted no time hunting me down.