MAFIA'S THORN

CHAPTER SEVEN

FLARIE'S — POV

I’m halfway through fastening my earrings when my phone lights up on the table. Unlocking the screen, a message displays two words, "Gray Mansion."

It has been more than a week since I had my last encounter with Alton. He is not the type of person you can run into in a café or on the streets, he only appears in a few places that are hard to get information on.

I walk over to my full-length mirror, my reflection staring back at me. The black dress hugs my body stopping mid–thigh, with thin straps that rest on my shoulders. My silver heels perfectly match my jewelry.

A thin line of eyeliner circles my eyes, and bold red lipstick enhances my lips, complimented by thick mascara that plumps my lashes.

As I head to my wardrobe for my clutch, I spot it. The coat.

I froze that night from anxiety when I remembered I hadn't given it back to him.

After a few days of gathering my thoughts, it dawned on me that this is a good reason to see him again.

I grab my clutch, and then take down the coat from the hanger, folding it neatly before placing it inside a black paper bag. With my phone and keys in hand, I step out.

My cab pulls up to the gate of Gray Mansion that is open. Beyond it, the estate glows under layers of golden light, soft melodic music drifts through the air.

Another private party.

As I exit the cab with the coat bag dangling from my wrist, I pay the driver and head to the entrance.

I notice two men at the entrance in black suits, with earpieces and a stone-faced expression.

“Invitation,” says the bald one as I approach.

I pull the embossed envelope from my clutch and hand it over. He inspects it, paying careful attention to the seal before handing it back to me.

I walk in to a jaw-dropping sight. Women in glittering gowns glide about while men in tailored suits speak in small circles. Some with their partners. A string quartet plays near the far wall, their music floating elegantly through the room.

My eyes begin their search. It moves from one end of the grand hall to the other, scanning every face.

He’s not by the bar, or near the balcony or at the center of the room where a cluster of important-looking men are gathered.

'Did he leave, or is he just not here?' I wonder as I take a glass of champagne from a passing tray. As I’m about to take a sip, a man approaches me.

“Good evening, beautiful,” he says, flashing a half-smile comfortably.

I take a slow sip before answering. “Good evening,” keeping it polite.

“I’m Donald Hats,” he extends his hand.

I look at his hand, then at mine. “Sorry, my hands are full.” I'm not in the mood to juggle my belongings just for a handshake.

He lets out a low chuckle, withdrawing his hand without offense. “Fair enough. I guess I walked into that one.” His amber brown eyes glint, trying to make a joke out of it.

“You did.” I raise my glass to him, taking another sip.

“I am a lawyer from the Prime firm.”

“Good for you,” I say.

“You don’t look like the type who’s easy to impress.”

“I’m not.” My eyes keep moving subtly around the room, searching for faces from the entrance, then they return to him.

“So… are you waiting for someone or with someone?” his eyes roam around my face.

I lock eyes with him, “Yes,” I answer.

“Oh,” he says, a little thrown off, averting his gaze. “Boyfriend?”

Scoffing, "I don't need to explain myself to you." Near the staircase I spot one of his men, the blond.

I recognize him instantly. With the same unwavering attention, he stands slightly apart from the crowd. My focus redirects. Donald is still talking, but I’m no longer listening.

If one of his men is here, that means he might be. The man I'm staring at beside the staircase turns and begins to ascend the stairs. “Enjoy your evening,” I say to Donald, already stepping back, not minding what he will think.

Donald pauses. “That was quick.”

I place my glass on the table beside us and follow the man up the stairs. Getting to the landing, I see him. Sure enough, he is here.

Alton stands near a tall glass window, shaking hands with an older man in a navy suit. His expression is unreadable, while the other man’s is polite. The man leaves as the handshake ends. Alton doesn’t move.

I think he hasn’t noticed me.

I reach for my clutch as my phone dings, glancing down. When I look up, he’s right in front of me. Close enough that I could feel the heat of him before I fully register his face.

A small gasp leaves me startled. I didn’t hear him move, didn’t see him cross the room. One second, he isn’t there. The next, he is.

His eyes are already on me, dark.

Everything around us shrinks, I barely hear the room anymore. From the corners of my eyes, I glance past his face. I notice his men’s hands sliding inside their jackets. 'Will they attack?'

Alton doesn’t even glance at them. He just lifts two fingers slowly, they retract their hands. “Why are you here?” His voice is low. Not soft or loud but carries a weight that can't be ignored.

I hold his gaze. “I was invited.”

His eyes moves over my face, assessing. “Anything else?”

There’s something in the way he says it, insinuating that can't be the only reason why I came to him and that's right.

I look past him, then back at him. “I brought your coat for you.” I say lifting my hand with the coat.

Silently, his gaze drops briefly to the bag, then rises slowly to my face as he steps closer. He doesn’t take it, instead he glances at the man beside him. The man steps forward immediately and takes the bag from my hands without a word.

“Another place with you in it,” he says.

The guy I saw at the stairs steps forward slightly. He leans in just enough to say something in a voice too low i don't hear the words.

Alton stills, his eyes moving past me for a fraction of a second. His hand balls into a fist then he relaxes it.

But I saw it, something is wrong. I look at him, He doesn’t say anything. That doesn’t reassure me. Not even close.

“Alton?” I mumble.

His hand wraps around mine gently yet firmly. He pull me with him as he sarts walking sending me into a brief jolt. We don't go back towards the direction I came from instead he leads away from it all, the music and the crowd, through a hallway that is quit.

We pass some doors that are closed. I look back it's just us and his men behind, no one else follows. Alton pushes the door ahead of us open, leading outside. The glow of the mansion barely reaches this far.

Sleek black cars line in wait. He opens the car door and guides me inside before I can react. “ Alton—wait—” I call out.

“Go,” he says looking at the guy in the drivers seat. The door shuts.

Through the back glass, I see Alton already walking toward another car, different from mine. His men move with him, he doesn’t look back, not even once. He gets in as they open his door for him and the drive off.

Another car pulls up behind his, then another. Within seconds, they’re gone.

“Hey… what’s going on?”

I turn back to see the driver’s hand lift to his ear. “Yes.” he says and keeps quiet. His eyes flick up, meeting mine briefly in the mirror.

“Understood.” The sharp click of the lock follows immediately and the car speeds up.

My heart drops. I turn quickly, reaching for the handle to open the door, it's Locked.