Loving the Ruthless Mafia Man

Decisions

Chapter 6

Decisions

(Lia’s POV)

My heart sank as I felt the noose tighten around me. I was trapped between two men—one who refused to let me go and one who seemed determined to pull me back into the life I had tried so desperately to escape.

“The jet takes off in three hours. I suggest you go and pack what you need. The car will pick you up at your apartment,” Aiden said, his voice clipped, not even bothering to acknowledge Oliver.

“Mr. Kavanagh, I’ve already explained-

“Either you go pack your bags and board the plane of your accordance or you will be forced on to it. The choice is yours Lia.” Aiden said, placing an emphasis on my name. “You know how the family operates, the choice is clear, but then again, you are capable of making your decisions, aren’t you?”

He gave me a final, meaningful look, then turned and walked out of the gallery without another word.

I stood frozen, watching him until he disappeared through the door.

That’s when I felt Oliver’s fingers dig deeper into my side, sharp enough to send a wave of pain coursing through me. Tears threatened to spill, but I blinked them away quickly. If he saw them, it would only make things worse.

“What the hell was that?” Oliver demanded, his voice low and menacing.

I looked up at him, and the darkness in his eyes made my stomach churn with fear.

When I’d first met Oliver a year ago, he had been this charming, charismatic man who seemed to have everything figured out. I’d thought he was the best this world had to offer. He took care of things, made me feel special.

But as time went on, he’d changed. It was subtle at first, but before I realized it, his tenderness had turned to control. His affection had been replaced by sharp words and bruises I had to learn to hide.

I hadn’t even noticed the shift until it was too late. Now, I woke up every day knowing exactly what I’d allowed into my life. And somewhere deep inside, I told myself that Oliver was what I deserved.

“I… um… need to visit my aunt and uncle,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I heard that,” Oliver replied, his tone icy. “What I’m asking is why that man touched you. What did you say to him to make him touch you?”

“I didn’t do anything,” I said quickly, trying to tamp down the rising panic.

“I don’t believe you,” he hissed.

“I’m telling you the truth, Ollie,” I said, using his nickname in a desperate attempt to calm him, to remind him we were in public.

He shifted tactics, his gaze narrowing. “Why does your uncle want you back in Boston? Did you say something to him?”

I shook my head frantically. “No, I promise I haven’t said anything! I haven’t talked to them in months. That’s probably why they want me to visit. I haven’t been back in three years. If they’ve requested, I visit, it must be something important.”

As much as I hated the thought of returning to Boston, the idea was beginning to feel like a reprieve. A break from Oliver. A few days with my family might be enough to recharge. Maybe I could come back better, for him.

Oliver was silent, his eyes calculating. He was always thinking, always planning. He was smart, and that made him dangerous.

“I need to visit them,” I said softly. “They’re all the family I have left. They’ve been supporting me, and I owe them a visit at the very least.”

I hated Aiden for putting me in this position.

Why did he have to show up tonight. On one of the most important nights of my career. He had swooped through, throwing everything off balance and leaving me in the aftermath.

Then there was the bigger question…why had my aunt and uncle requested my return? They’d allowed me to live a normal life in California for years. And why would they ask Aiden to deliver the message?

I couldn’t ignore my uncle’s call. That wasn’t who I was. Uncle Seamus had done so much for me. He was the only father figure I had in my life. He had never made me feel less than his own daughter.

Oliver finally broke his silence. “Then let’s go pack,” he said.

“I’m sorry?” I asked, startled.

His glare darkened. “I said we should go pack. You’re not going alone. And I think it’s time I met your family.”

“I—”

“I come with you,” Oliver interrupted, his tone cold and final, “or I give you a reason to stay. Oh Lia, we can’t have you saying anything to your family about me that you don’t mean. Besides, it will be good for my future to meet them. I need investors for my business plan. And you can convince them to invest in your future fiancé. Your Uncle is going to love me, no need to worry.”

His hand dug into my hip harder, the pain now excruciating. I nodded frantically, desperate for him to let go.

“Good,” he said, finally releasing me and placing a quick, almost dismissive kiss on my cheek. “I’m going to pack my bag. I’ll meet you at your apartment in an hour.”

I nodded again, unable to form words.

This wasn’t going to go the way Oliver wanted. He wasn’t going to charm or manipulate my family into investing in whatever scheme he was planning. My family didn’t fall for tricks. And more importantly, their business wasn’t the kind he could ever understand.

My uncle was one of the four powerful families under the King of the Irish Mob.

And Aiden Kavanagh?

He was that King.