Something bothered me as I curiously glanced at Grandma Wyn and Verena. They were hiding something from me. I'm not sure what, but I had picked up on the cryptic message, Grandma Wyn had delivered to Verena trying to make it seem as though she was giving her granddaughter practical life advice regarding being in a romantic relationship. Still, I was far from the average man you could pull wool over my head and blindly try to manipulate to believe anything.

My rise to power in the mafia wasn't due to oversight; I meticulously observed my surroundings. Verena pecked her grandmother's cheek, a nod of understanding preceding a glance at me—those lovely, doe-like eyes ensnaring me, my heart racing, palms sweating, and stomach churning. I had a jeweler in mind to create Verena's custom engagement ring as soon as we got back to Alphacrest. I couldn't bear another month without claiming her as my own. Before the year ends, she must be my wife and take my surname.

Dad was on my fucking ass about making things official with Verena. "Son, you need to hurry and marry that girl before she discovers the truth. Once you have tied to you, she cannot just up and leave. Once she becomes a Vallea, that is it, everyone within the mafia universe as well as every wealthy and powerful entity will know she belongs to you". I was adamant on when would be the right time for me to propose to Verena, had a short amount of time to plan the perfect proposal for my Cherie. She deserved to be showcased to the world.

I needed reinforcements, someone I trusted with a second doubt. Someone who would not run their mouth and share my plans to propose to Verena. "Why are you so quiet, Eryx? You haven't spoken a word since we've been in the car, are you tired?".

Verena reaches over and takes hold of my right hand while my left hand occupies the steering wheel. I smile in her direction. "Sort of, just have a lot of things to deal with regarding work, nothing you should worry your pretty little head about". Verena looks at me, a look I am unsure what is indicating, but it has me a little worried for a moment, as wrinkles form on her forehead.

"You need to stop being such a workaholic, you are wealthy. What is the point of having money, and you don't get to enjoy the fruits of your labor frequently? All work and no play is no fun at all". I then look up into the rear-view mirror, seeing Grandma Wyn is watching me with her hands placed in her lap. I'm not sure how someone manages to be elegant while sitting in the car, but she manages to sit with perfect posture as if she is sitting on a makeshift throne.

"Rena, leave that man alone. Whatever is troubling his mind, he will figure it out. Be his peace, not his headache".

Verena pouts out her mouth at her grandmother's words as I try to contain my laughter. "Grandma, I can't believe you would say that. I was nagging Eryx. I was just concerned. That's all". Grandma Wyn grunts while shaking her head.

"Nagging is what I call it. Nagging drives men insane that is quickest way for a man to start looking at pussy outside of the home".

Verena and I both share a bewildered look before glancing back at Grandma Wyn.

"Oh my God, please stop embarrassing me, why are we talking about this anyway?".

Verena hides her face in her hands in embarrassment as Grandma Wynn begins having a rather colorful conversation about her relationship with her late husband. By the time we make it to the villa, where we will be staying for the next few days, Verena jumps out of the car and runs to the front door.

I help Grandma Wyn out of the car as she laughs at her granddaughter as she runs inside of the estate. I hold Grandma Wynn's hand as one of the house staff comes to get the luggage out of the trunk. "Young man, sooner or later you will have to tell my granddaughter that you are one of the most powerful men in the western hemisphere". I stop in my tracks and glance down at the beautiful older woman standing beside me.

"Pardon me", I ask, trying to downplay what she is talking about, knowing full well her statement she is making.

"No reason to ask oblivious. I know your secret, or shall say many".

I then scratch the side of my head, trying to decipher how I should answer Grandma Wynn back without causing any red flags to alarm her.

"You are over there trying to think of a clever way to try to manipulate me, don't even bother. Your father trained you well, but he didn't tell you everything".

I blink my eyes in confusion, "What are you referring to, may I ask?"?. Grandma Wynn taps my shoulder. "When the time comes, everything will be revealed, good, bad, and ugly, for both you and my granddaughter. I just hope your relationship is able to sustain the truth that will eventually come to light".

I stare at Grandma Wynn for several moments before Verena pops her head out of the front door. "What are you two out here talking about?", she asks, looking between me and her grandmother.

Before I can answer, Grandma Wyn beats me to it. "Mind your business, little girl. If I wanted you to know what we are discussing, then I would tell you".

Verena crosses her arms in front of her. "You're not being fair Grandma".

Grandma Wynn walks up to Verena and whispers something to her that causes her cheeks to turn bright red as she looks over at me before she runs back inside of the house.

"What did you tell her?", I ask as we both watch Verena run out the long spiraling staircase. "Nothing bad, my granddaughter doesn't like to be in the wrong, so now and then I have to set her straight. Maybe you can find a way to get her out of a sudden funk".

I smile as I hold open the door for Grandma Wynn as we stand in front of the spiral staircase that leads to six bedrooms.

"Something that will put a physical glow on her face and get her to not nag you again".

I already have the perfect solution to get Verena out of a sudden funk. "I have something in mine. Would you like a tour of the estate?".

Grandma Wynn rejects my offer, "No, I can find my way around this place, you need to tend to my granddaughter. I will see you later on this evening or maybe sometime tomorrow." I was shocked at how blunt Grandma Wynn was being with me.

She didn't say it, but she was giving me the green-light to fuck the shit of her granddaughter. I had no problem following those orders whatsoever. I needed to let out some steam anyway and I am sure Verena needs some of my loving as well.



There is nothing that can't be kept a secret away from Grandma Wynn, she practically knows everything or figures things out quite easily. Eryx is on to Grandma Wynn and Verena are hiding something, but he picked up on their body language and read them keeping something from him. Eventually the secret will be within the storyline, but much later.

I hope you guys understand this story is being written in a sequence, certain things have to happen or be revealed. I can't throw everything at you all at once because it will be overwhelming and might confuse many of you of what the hell is going on within this story. The past interconnects with the present for a reason. The easter eggs are in the flashback chapters, so please pay attention because then you will have a better understanding of what is going on in the present-day chapters.

I understand many of you have been commenting on when this story will be done, and I am going to say it, no time soon. This story is meant to be extremely long. This story is unlike any mafia romance story you have read before. Thank you for supporting Mines Forever, more chapters to come, please be patient with me as I continue working on writing this story.