All Chapters of My Runaway Mafia Groom Wants Me Back: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

(Asher)Thank God Caterina decided not to stay. I don’t have the energy to deal with her tonight. She’s a lovely girl and I’m sure there are scores of men who’d love to be in my position, but I’m not in love with her and never will be. The wedding will happen, because it has to. Love has nothing to do with it.Until a few days ago, it didn’t bother me in the least. We’re sexually compatible. She knows exactly what I am and she’s perfectly happy with the crumbs of affection I’m able to give her. Which makes me a shitty person, but I already knew that.Staring down at the ring I gave Emmeline 5 years ago, the one I sent some men out to find after she threw it away, I can’t help but compare how different that felt.When I first noticed she was still wearing it, I felt a surge of warmth. It kind of seemed like she was trying to keep me alive in her heart all these years, despite what happened. Then the little run-in with Elias Bishop took place and she tossed it out the window li

(Emmeline) I have no interest in getting into an argument with Caterina. She’s three years younger than me, used to getting her way, and terrified that I’m going to try and steal her fiancé. I don’t blame her for being on edge.“Hi. Can we go to the kitchen to talk?” I ask calmly. “Jackson’s asleep and I don’t want to risk waking him.” She offers a curt nod, waiting for me to lead the way. Bruce follows us, leaving Mario to guard the room where Jackson’s sleeping.I shake my head at Bruce and close the kitchen door in his face. The moment we’re alone, Caterina launches into a tirade I’m sure she’s spent all day planning in her head.“You better not think you can just waltz back into Asher’s life and take him from me. He’s going to be my husband, whether you like it or not. The fact that you had his baby doesn’t make you more special to him than I am. He loves me! And our marriage will be the best thing that can happen to this city.”She pauses for a breath and I interrupt quickl

(Emmeline) I feel slightly guilty for lingering over breakfast in my pajamas, but without Asher around to set my teeth on edge and tie my insides into knots, it’s an indulgent luxury.I know Jackson got to school safely and for the first time in five years, I have no job to go to and no responsibilities or chores to attend to.There is a table full of food that I didn’t have to pay for or prepare, nor do I have to wash any of the dishes when I’m done. It’s a bit intoxicating.I pour a second cup of the divine coffee from the French press and eye all the dishes on the table attentively. I’ve already had a delectable smoked salmon bagel. Round two is for indulgence, not hunger. The fresh fruit salad, loaded with raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, mango and pineapple, is declared the winner.For years fruit salad meant apples, oranges, pears and some grapes. There wasn’t an extra dollar for the fancier fruits. Blueberries were for special occasion pancakes only.

(Asher)I shouldn’t have asked her out in the first place. I have no business feeling crushed that she turned me down. It’s much safer this way. We can talk in my office as well as anywhere else.For a short while today it felt like we’re a real family. Being with Jackson makes me feel alive. Lighter than I have since originally learning about Emmeline’s betrayal. And seeing her watching us with such tenderness was wonderful.All of which just swirls together with the anger and betrayal to form a sludgy, sticky soup that I can’t seem to think my way out of.I still love her. In spite of everything, whatever I may want to tell myself, I’m still in love with Emmeline Boucher. Which doesn’t mean I have any intention of attempting to reconcile with her, but I’m not going to sit here and lie to myself about the facts.“Boss,” Bruce pokes his head around the door after a brief knock. “That mail you’ve been waiting for is here.” The paternity test.There’s no reason for my heart rate

(Elias)Seventeen different tabloids are spread across my desk, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of online gossip sites running pictures of Emmeline and Jackson as clickbait.Emmeline sent me the threatening message she received last night and told me about the terrifying moment when they were surrounded by paparazzi at Legoland.There’s no way this was one person at the park recognizing them and tipping someone off. No journalist, even scum of the earth like the paparazzi, would give away a scoop. Someone set out with great determination to inform everyone they could think of, where to find Don Giordano and his family.Of course, these aren’t the first pictures to have been published of Emmeline and Jackson in Asher’s orbit, but there will be no question left in anyone’s mind now that Jackson is his son.Articles are already popping up about “The Mystery Woman and The Don”, where a deep dive is being done into Emmeline’s life. They all seem particularly k