Page 37 of The Mobster’s Daughter (Massachusetts Mafia #2)

Her father hurried back down the hall and crouched in front of her.

“Jesus Christ, Caitlin, how could you think that? You’re my daughter.

I love you. Am I happy that you’re sleeping with a man old enough to be your father?

No. But if there is anybody in this world who will do right by you and protect you, it’s Grady.

But you need to understand something. It’s been a long, long time since he cared for somebody.

I remember how he was when he was in love with Oona.

She was his universe. That man loves fiercely, so intently it is almost frightening.

It’s going to be different from anything you’ve ever experienced. I hope you’re read y for it.”

“I am,” she murmured. “I’m ready for whatever the future hold s for us.”

Later that night, Caitlin pulled into the driveway of a modest home on a quiet, tree-lined street in Waltham. She put the car in park and turned it off, but she didn’t get out. She stayed where she was, staring at the front of the house, unable to believe this place belonged to Grady.

It was a classic New England-style colonial, crisp white with blue trim.

A welcoming porch stretched from one end of the house to the other.

On one side was a swing, painted the same color as the house, along with two wicker chairs and a table.

The yard was small, but well-kept, with a neatly trimmed lawn and a brick walkway that led to the door.

Tall, leafy trees blocked anyone from seeing the house from the street, and a wooden fence deterred visitors.

At the top of the driveway sat a detached garage.

The door was open and pulled halfway out was a gray Mustang that looked like the one from the movie Gone in Sixty Seconds.

Its hood was up, and the driver’s side door was open.

Grady stepped out of the Mustang, wiping his hands on a rag. Her breath caught in her throat. Only he could pull off looking as if he’d sauntered off the cover of GQ Magazine in jeans and a too tight T-shirt with a streak of oil across the chest. He watched her as she got out o f the car.

“How did you find me?” he asked.

“Daddy gave me the address.” Caitlin shut the door and inched forward a few steps, stopping by the hood.

Grady raised an eyebrow. “Is nothing sacred in you r family?”

“In my experience, no.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the car. “How are you?”

“Still sore. Stiff. But I’m healing. I’ll get there.” He tucked the rag into his back pocket. “What are you do ing here?”

“I wanted to see you. Talk to you.” Caitlin followed him as he walked up the driveway to th e Mustang.

“We said everything we had to say at the hospital,” he mumbled. “Or did you want to yell at me some more?” He slammed the hood shut before he turned to lo ok at her.

She rolled her eyes, and his shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t speak. She moved clos er to him.

“I wanted to see you,” she murmured.

An awkward silence spread between them. God, she wanted to throw herself into his arms, kiss him, touch him, feel the hard length of his body against hers. She wanted to make love until the sun came up. Except first, they had to get past the bullshit.

“That’s not a good idea,” he said. “You r father—”

Caitlin shook her head. “My father isn’t part of the equation. This is be tween us.”

Grady laughed. “Princess, your father and your family are always part of any equation, especially with us.”

“He told me about Oona,” she said.

His eyes widened. “He did what?”

“Daddy told me about Oona,” she repeated. “How you loved her, and she betr ayed you.”

He sighed. “He had no right to do that.”

“Daddy meant no harm. He was trying to help me un derstand.”

He snorted. “Nobody understands. There is no way anyone can fathom what it is like to love someone with every fiber of your being, and they betray you. Oona took what I gave her and threw it back in my face.”

Caitlin moved closer. “I’m so sorry.”

“Great, thanks for the sympathy.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You s hould go.”

“Don’t push me away, Grady,” she whispered.

“We resolved this at the hospital.”

She stopped moving toward him and crossed her arms over her chest, mirroring his stance. “No, we didn’t resolve anything. We argued. I yelled, and you yelled, which is what we a lways do.”

“So, why are you here? To continue the argument? Because if you are, you might as well leave now. I won’t change my mind.”

“I don’t want to argue with you,” Caitlin mumbled, defeated. “That’s not why I came. I hoped we co uld talk.”

Grady dropped his hands to his side and sighed heavily. “Let’s go inside. I’ll make coffee.” He pushed the Mustang’s door shut, then he tipped his head toward the house. “Come on.”

She followed him across the yard through the back door into a tidy, unadorned kitchen.

Dark granite countertops and smooth white cabinets contrasted nicely with stainless steel appliances.

Everything was so neatly organized it looked like it was barely used on a day-to-day basis.

A single bowl was upside down in a rack next to the deep sink.

The hardwood floors were spotless, and under-cabinet lights cast a soft glow over the counters.

In the corner was a small, round table with two chairs.

A newspaper was folded on top of a placemat.

Caitlin bit her tongue so she wouldn’t laugh. It didn’t surprise her that Grady still got the newspaper instead of going online t o read it.

“Have a seat.” He pointed at the table, then he took a can of coffee out of the cabinet.

She watched him as he made the coffee. He was quick, efficient, and neat, cleaning up after himself as he worked. They were silent until he’d finished and set her cup in front of her. He eased into the other chair and pushed the newspaper out o f the way.

Caitlin sipped her coffee. “I talked to my father. About us.”

“I gathered as much since he talked to you about Oona. What did you tell him?”

“That I’m falling in love with you.” She traced the rim of her cup, looking anywhere but at him. “But I couldn’t tell him how you feel.”

Grady sighe d. “Cait.”

“Don’t you want to know what he said?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Does it involve me losing my life?”

She laughed. “No. In fact, Daddy was quite accommodating. He probably won’t try to kill you.” She grabbed his hand and held it tight. “If my father being against us had been holding you back, you don’t have to worry. He won’t fight it.”

“What about the age difference?” Gr ady asked.

Her shoulders slumped; it was always something. “What about it?”

“Twenty-one years, princess. I’m past my prime. You need somebody who can keep up with you, give you the life you deserve for as long as you’re alive. Why would you want a guy who’s going to get old before you, die before you? Nobody wa nts that.”

“I don’t care,” she whispered. “I love you. I want to be with you. The age difference doesn’t b other me.”

“Caitlin—”

She slammed her hand on the table. “I’m not done.

Age is a number. All it means is you’ve lived longer than me and seen more things.

But it also shows you know what matters.

You can’t be bothered by the stupid games that guys my age usually play.

You don’t have time for shit like that. The years between us aren’t important.

What is important is that you understand I want to spend the time we have left together.

I’m begging you not to push me away because some woman broke your heart.

I’m not her. Give me a chance to prove it. ”

Grady stared at her without speaking. It went on so long she fidgeted in her seat. He looked at their clasped hands, then back up at her. “Come here,” he murmured, tugging on her hand.

Caitlin got to her feet and let him pull her into his lap. He grunted when she bumped into his side where the bandage was. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

“You’re damn stubborn, you know that, right?” she asked.

“Always have been, probably always will be. It’s what keeps me alive.

” He kissed her temple. “I’m sorry. You’re right, by the way.

I pushed you away because of what happened with Oona.

I have spent the last eight years of my life regretting every minute of my time with her.

She destroyed me. I swore I would never go through that again.

That’s why I fought so hard to keep myself from falling for you. It did n’t work.”

She looked up at him. “So, you love me?”

“Yeah, princess, I l ove you.”