The Heir's Secrets [Mafia Games 1]

t © 2020

or used in any manner without written permission of the copy

ture themes, profanity, violence, and sexual content not intended for young readers. Unauthoriz

read! This is a rewrite of my first crime/rom

. . . . . . . . . .

KE

n, I

dn't be an

days. I had prepared for this, prepa

in control; everything would be okay. I'd make it out of he

u're fine. Keep it together. You're in public. You've done your job...had a good run. Time to go home

t exactly voices, though...more like, unwanted thoughts that threaten my sanity. My

senses could barely register. I rubbed the foundation off my face and

l work day—round-the-clock schedule, consecutive shows, nonstop changing and dressing

ravel to the city for castings and fittings. I sighed. If I had other options, I'd quit in a heartbeat a

les started to bleed my patience dry. If this wasn't an escalating anxi

you're

n, always

a stupid, gullible,

gs, Ms.

been disqualified due to inconsistencies we have observed on your personal information she

are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. Providing false or incomplete information on the application forms will immediately result in the applican

artment will be available Monday to Friday during office hours to provide

d luck on your

C Head

r before my shock lessened to a manageable degree,

this disappointing act of rejection. I didn't open the letter until I was sure I would no longer have to face any of my employers

p requirements, until today, was to be given a chance—a chance to join the list o

provided the much coveted medical scholarship programs to those who qualified and met the

, of course. However, fate seemed to ha

for the time being, really. Not getting any younger and a lifelong career i

I'd chosen remained as my ultimate goal.

ld mean I was out-and-out desperate. Maybe I shou

more time and money. Although my mom and dad would be glad to help out,

t of the hospital, battling respiratory complications his illness had

nths. Rather unlikely, but we still prayed for his health to improve a

, and before I could finish the prayers in my hea

me

m:

u b

y 3:

? You th

painful sensation in my gut told me it wasn't going away anytime soon. I should be used to this type of rejecti

l, calling to check up on me all of a sudden. I didn't want any more family dram

rry. Really wanted to be there

up my coat until it to

nch yet?" Jill asked over the line, pr

my lie. My voice didn't falter, thankfully. I put the call

es could be around the are

ed. "What'd you eat?

ath, pretending my rapid heartbeat d

kinny." Just like that, Jill moved on to more pressing family issues

traits," I droned on. I'd been praying my puritanical pare

Can't blame her, though. Your boyfriend's got mad painting skills. I mean, whoa..."

my boyfriend." I paused to think. "He likes guys. Jeez...this is gettin' exhausting." Not my problem

n ask?" Jill teased. "Anywa

he time to pamper myself, or deal with the usual anxiety disorders we working models had to hide on a regular basis. I'd easily choose to lounge

e goin' out

" I mumbled the white lie wh

ied? Was he busy hang

decided to text him again. "Driving to the venue

ly, but I just needed a friend right now.

ead, K. Better

le doing some arms-above-the-head, standing yoga poses. I co

d some self-treatment I read online, because, if I hadn't, Miles would've dragged me to a psychiatrist in a heartbeat. Which

rich?" Jill's voice drifted off to a wh

wo business

red on the other end. "By the way, Mom told me to remind

, not even a short rejection letter to show my folks. Hence my decision to move to another c

found videos of Miles drinking and partying. So, now M

his month." I stood alone by the

yday life, I would submit another slew of scholarship applications to the

ould I choose to resume my studies in New York. And now my pa

Jill over the phone, I

ging the complete silence around me. The bathroom looked clean and the lights stayed bright

ouldn't have read them over and over. It shouldn't have bothered me that much, but I sti

y from home and make a living in a foreign country. And owing to his laudable niceness and very generous pa

gain. It should be Miles. I checked my phone. Yep. He s

dizzy, aching head and cold hands. I shoved my phone b

alk. Five minutes t

tive th

is waiting out there

en. My vision began to blur when a ringing in my ear intensified, drowning out the party music playing over the blaring speake

d to get out

dy pace. I could make out the sidewalk behind the building's wide wind

the entrance door for me. "Hi." I put on a smile, which dis

towards the parking lot, thankful that my intakes of breath weren't as forced and noisy.

of a tall, dark-haired guy in a familiar pair of sneakers. He stood by

y happ

him, but my throat felt

mudged the hem of his wrinkled shirt. During season breaks, if he wasn't doing print jobs, Miles spent days and n

His brows crumpled more when he noticed I'd gone

I managed to say

Miles pulled me close to his side. He ev

back. I sped up my steps even though his ride sat a few cars away. My fingers curled i

ke you're go

urge to cry, holding back the other reason why

likes you. You don't

that conscious choice ove

l lingered. I should just sleep

ry as Miles and I rushed

, probably because he could easily spot my

just go

assenger door for me and leaned against his car. "You do

waiting for me to speak up. "J