SE7EN: A Single Dad Mafia Romance, page 1
SE7EN
A Single Dad Mafia Romance
Bry Ann
Contents
Se7En
Author Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
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Se7En
A Single Dad Mafia Romance
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the
author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Author Note
This story does NOT have a typical happy ending. Be warned. This story will hurt. It will warm you, make you laugh, but it will make you cry, too. You have now been warned.
Also, a lot of the characters in this story are first featured in Graveyard Girl. I would recommend reading that book first! You can read it here: GRAVEYARD GIRL.
Enjoy Seven, Isla, and Nia’s story. Thank you for reading!
💜
Chapter One
Isla
I glance around the hallway real quick. The coast is clear. I sprint into the bathroom, grab the small, yellow Kindle from my pocket, and lock the stall door.
Exhaling a deep breath, I tuck myself into a small ball on top of the toilet seat and set my Kindle down on my knees.
This is pathetic. That thought enters the recesses of my mind, but like always, I don’t listen. This is my life. It’s been my dream since I was a little girl.
I’m a pediatrician.
Dr. Isla Grace.
My dad was a doctor at a fancy clinic in my hometown, and my mom worked in the ER. This job is my destiny. I’ve always loved children with all my heart, so I knew making them healthier would be the best possible way I could spend my life. But I just wish I had more of that for myself, ya know? Life.
This is my one time in the day for me.
I sneak into the staff bathroom, perch my feet up on the toilet seat, and read the latest mafia romance e-book while stuffing pieces of apple slices in my mouth like a six year old.
Well, hah, there’s nothing childlike about the books I read. It’s my “weakness” as a human being. Well, perceived weakness. I don’t see anything wrong with a little dirty darkness in my vanilla, light-filled world. But God, I think I’d die if my co-workers found out the shit I read. Oh my gosh. The thought has my heart racing. Only one person knows my secret… my kink, if you will.
Danny boy. I love that man. I’d marry him if he appreciated the parts I have to offer. He’s my best friend in the entire world and also happens to be gay. He and his boyfriend have been dating for six months or so. He’s pretty bad at relationships, not that I’m one to talk. My last “relationship” was the boy I regretfully threw my virginity at on a drunken night in high school. That’s about it.
Swoosh!
Shit! That’s the door. I keep quiet and blush as I hide the book I’m reading against my chest, even though no one can see it. But I tend to do this when someone else is in here while I’m heated, reading a dirty sex scene.
God, I’m weird.
“Hmmm…” The girl in here starts to hum. I feel like such a creep. She thinks she’s alone. I should flush, tell her I’m here, and wash my hands like I was here peeing all along. I stare longingly at my Kindle. The thought of putting this book down seriously makes me want to cry. And now I’m mildly aroused. Not that that matters. I can’t remember the last time I took the time to honor those needs. I barely eat a full meal these days, so I sure don’t have time to worry about getting fucked or fucking myself. Gosh, people’s jaws would drop if they heard me speaking this way.
I swallow all of my feelings of disappointment and longing and flush the toilet. The lady in here gasps lightly, since she thought she was alone. I sigh, knowing I did the right thing. I grab a whole slice of apple, stuff it in my mouth, and gather myself.
Guess that’s it for Isla time.
I ignore my needs once again.
Chapter Two
Isla
“Can you breathe for me, sweetie?”
The little boy in front of me crosses his arms over his chest and glowers at me. Glowers. Gosh, he’s so cute.
The dad sighs heavily. “Sean, you have to listen to the doctor.”
“I don’t want to!” he protests through a lisp, slamming his booty down on the table.
“Hey, Sean!” I bend down and force excitement. My voice makes a small, curious smile start to play on his lips.
“Can we play a game then?”
He brightens. “Game?”
“Mmm-hmmm. I’m gonna put something super cold on your chest. That’s the bad guy’s ice ray. You’re the good dragon. You have to breathe your fire so the ice ray doesn’t getcha.”
His eyes go even wider.
“Yeah!” He smirks at his dad like he won. His dad chuckles and I feel his grateful gaze swing my way.
“Okay, ready? One, two, three…” I place the stethoscope on his chest. He breathes his “fire”. Over and over until I get the information I need. Now that I’ve gotten the boy’s trust, he’s much more cooperative.
“All done, Sean! You were so good today. Do you want a sticker or are you too cool for stickers?”
“I’m too cool for them.” He grins a smile that actually lets his two missing teeth show. Ugh, my heart!
Sean hugs me. I go over to the dad to discuss some things while Sean goes to the corner where I keep my small stash of toys.
“Okay, Mr. Moore, so everything looks good. He’s a little bit underweight, but not enough for concern. Maybe just encourage him to eat a little more healthy food or add a couple of snacks in.”
“Will do. You were great with him today, Isla.”
“Oh.” I blush awkwardly. “Thanks, Mr. Moore.”
“Please, call me Ben.”
“Okay, Ben. If you go to the—”
He cuts me off. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to grab dinner sometime? I think you’re amazing, Isla.”
My blush grows from the base of my neck all the way up to my cheeks. I can’t look at him. Oh my gosh. This never happens to me.
“Thank you.”
“What do you think?”
“Um… I…” Really don’t have time. I’m ready to say no when the other half of me kicks in. No, Isla. No! You have a nice, successful man here asking you out. Just say yes. For once, do something for yourself. With a silent nod to myself, I give Ben my most dashing smile. Or at least that’s what I’m aiming for.
“I’d love to.”
“Great! What’s your number?”
I ramble it off, ignoring that odd feeling in my gut telling me to be professional and let him down easy.
“Awesome, Isla. I’ll text you so you have mine and we’ll set something up!”
“Great, I look forward to it.” I turn to Sean, who now is running to his dad’s side in the doorway. His head is down and he’s staring at his feet. He looks… sad all of a sudden.
“Sean, I’ll see you soon, okay buddy?”
“Yep,” he says quietly with a shrug. I frown.
“Come on, bud. Let’s get lunch.”
His dad loops his fingers through Sean’s and leads him out of the room. I frown at their retreating forms. Why the sudden mood change?
I’m a little disturbed the whole time as I get my paperwork together for my next patient. I don’t even think about my date. I’m too worried about Sean and what I could have said to disturb him. Does he not want his dad to date? Should I not have mentioned the underweight thing in front of him?
“Isla.” A hand lands on my shoulder. I fly around with a gasp, having been so lost in my thoughts.
“Hun, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Keisha apologizes. “Your next patient is ready.”
“Right.” I shake my head. “Sorry, I’m a spaz.”
“You’re fine. You okay?”
“I’m good. Just thinking.”
Keisha tsks. “You think too much. You need to live a little.”
I blush. That brings me back to the date I said I’d go on. Was that a mistake?
I place my hand on Keisha’s shoulder.
“Thanks, girl.”
“Room five, babe.”
“Got it. I’ll be right over.”
She nods and runs off. Our office is always busy and we’re always
I slip my phone out of my drawer and glance down at it.
Ben: How’s Friday night, Isla?
Friday, Friday...
Me: It’d have to be late. I work ‘til 8:30.
Satisfied with that, I slip my phone back in my desk drawer and head for room five.
* * *
I push the door to room five open. AKA, the squeaky door.
Creakkkkk. It announces my presence for me. I’m met with the intense stare of a beautiful little girl with angelic dark skin, curly hair tied up on her head in a haphazard bun, and intense brown eyes that seem to know more than her young years.
“Hi sweetie, I’m Isla. What’s your name?”
She doesn’t say anything, but instead her eyes dart to the corner of the room. I quickly turn to the parent of this beautiful little girl. I always forget to greet the parent first! It’s a consequence of my social anxiety. I loooove the kids. The parents scare me a bit. My heart beats faster and my body trembles, but I’ve grown accustomed to the sensation.
“Hi, I’m Dr.…”
The words get lodged in my throat when I take in the man in front of me. He’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen, with a thick, full beard and muscular arms the size of my waist. I swallow and try to get a grip on myself, but fail. He’s wearing a red and black plaid button up, unbuttoned, with a white tee underneath and jeans.
“This is Nia. She needs a physical,” he states, to the point, when I say nothing.
“Right, uh…” I stumble a bit over my words, earning a slight eyebrow raise from him. “Right,” I repeat, awkwardly. “Will do.”
I immediately turn and duck in front of Nia. Safe. I can talk to kids.
“How old are you, sweetie?”
“She doesn’t talk,” her father cuts in in a monotone, matter-of-fact voice. Like this is no big deal.
Just like that, my anxiety vanishes and passion takes its place. I shove to my feet, posture ramrod straight.
“How long has this been going on?”
I immediately begin palpating around her neck, checking for swelling, anything I can possibly find to explain this.
“There’s nothing wrong with her,” her enormous, terrifying dad grinds out.
Guilt blooms in my chest. I look at the little girl, who’s still purposefully blank.
“Oh, I know. She’s a perfect little princess,” I sigh in a high pitched, child-friendly voice, smiling at her. When I get a flicker of life in her warm, brown eyes, I turn back to her father.
“But you’re limiting her full expression if you pretend this isn’t an issue.”
I turn to her, planting a smile on my face so I don’t scare her.
“We’ll figure this out, pretty princess,” I tell her, poking her nose and scrunching my face.
She does nothing but study me. Her father is making waves in the room with his emotions. I don’t want to be alone with him. He makes me feel uneasy.
“Dr….”
“Grace,” I whisper, glancing over my shoulder.
“Of course.” He looks to the ceiling. “I’m here for a physical. I promised her it’d be nothing more.”
He lifts his chin, telling me his decision is final.
“Oh, okay. Does she sign or…?”
“Physical,” he repeats, clearly irritated.
He’s apparently big on the one-word answers.
Releasing a shaky breath, I turn to Nia with a smile. She cocks her head to the side and grabs my hand before I can speak again. My heart skips. Her finger starts tracing over my palm in calm, soothing motions.
N.
I.
A.
Oh! I grin broadly, momentarily forgetting the monster of a man in the corner of the room.
“Nia, that’s a beautiful name!”
She nods. Well, at least I think it’s a nod. I feel better about moving forward now that I have some form of her permission. I’m huge on getting a child’s permission before I just start touching them, where possible. They still have feelings and thoughts. No one wants to be felt around, even if their parents say it’s okay. So yeah, I feel better now.
I frown, lightly tracing my finger over her collarbone. From a crouched position, I glance over my shoulder.
“She’s extremely malnourished.” My voice is accusing, though I try really hard to hide it. “Is there anything I should know?”
I quickly flash little Nia a flat smile.
The man sighs heavily.
“I’m sorry. I never caught your name?”
He cocks his head, face neutral and unreadable. “Do you need it?”
“I mean, it’d make talking to you easier.”
“Seven.”
Seven? Like the number? How… odd. His muscles tense, sending a rush of something low in my gut that I easily ignore at this point.
“Thank you. So, Seven, anything I should know?”
Nia goes back to Seven’s side, so now they’re both looking at me with intense, unreadable eyes, making me squirm a bit under the intensity.
“This doesn’t leave this room, Dr. Grace,” he demands, steeling himself.
“I promise. Never.”
“She’s adopted. By me. She lived on the streets prior. I don’t know how long.”
Oh my God! I nearly choke. I feel my eyes fill with pity as I glance at Nia’s little face. She’s blank as ever.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Is that why you don’t talk, sweetie?”
I go over to her and extend my hand. Seven stiffens. Nia looks a little shocked. It’s in the slight widening in the whites of her eyes.
She slowly wraps her fingers around my hand and begins tracing over my palm.
N.
O.
“Thank you for telling me, princess.”
“You’re good with her,” a perplexed, gruff voice comes from over my head.
I look up at him with a gentle smile. “Thank you. I love kids.”
There’s a look in his eyes I can’t read, but staring at it makes my belly wobble so I turn back to the safety of his daughter. A daughter who’s had way too hard a life.
“I’m gonna check on you to make sure you’re healthy, but if you don’t like something, grab my arm, okay?”
I extend my hand.
She pats it. I think that’s a yes. I look to Seven for his go ahead.
“She’s good. You’re fine, don’t worry.”
His voice is almost kind this time. I glance up with a reluctantly unsure expression, but ultimately proceed with the exam. I find odd little scars on different parts of her body. Seven seems more agitated by each one.
“What could have caused those?” Seven barks after the tenth one.
“It looks like…” I glance at Nia, willing myself not to cry. I’ve always been overly emotional. Clearing my throat, I murmur, “It looks like teeth marks.”
“Animal or human?” His voice is cold, and I swear, if a voice could sound lethal, his does.
“Human,” I tell him, lightly running my finger over one of the deeper ones. I’m deeply studying it, when something cold snakes around my wrist. I gasp and slip back on my butt, startled.
My cheeks flame red.
“Jesus,” Seven mutters.
Before I can die of further humiliation, Nia comes over and extends her hand, eyes sorry. She’s clearly apologizing to me nonverbally as I let her help me up. It was her hand on me, of course. Like I told her to do. She didn’t want me touching her scars.
“I’m sorry, Nia. You did the right thing. I’m just… um… yeah, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad, princess.”
