THE MOB BOSS'S PREGNANT MISTRESS

"So what do you think?" Susan Jordan - more commonly known to her family and friends as Suzy - asked her mother as she whirled around the living room with a huge smile on her face.

Her daughter was excited, Elizabeth Jordan could tell, so how was she going to say anything negative? Besides, even if she wanted to, she couldn't think of anything wrong with the place her daughter had chosen.

The apartment was perfect. Not too expensive so she wouldn't have issues renewing the rent. It wasn't a very large apartment, but it was spacious enough to meet her needs and it was only one hour away from the family house. She knew that Susan had always wanted to move into the more developed and exciting part of the town, and now the time had finally come.

Susan was staring at her mother now, but her smile had turned into a frown. "What's wrong with it?" she asked, clearly confused by her mother's silence, "I thought you'd like it,"

"I do." Elizabeth replied quickly, moving towards her daughter and taking her hand in hers, "I promise I do. I just got lost in thought for a moment. Do you have any idea how much I'm going to miss you? First your brother, and now you... I'm happy, but I'm allowed to miss you, okay?"

Relief flashed in Susan's eyes and her smile was back again, "I'll miss you too, Mom, but I'm going to be twenty seven this year, I think it's time for me to move out. You and I know that I should have done this years ago,"

Susan didn't have to explain this to her mother, but they both knew that the only reason why Susan had moved back into the house after college was because she didn't want her mother to be alone after her father had died in a horrible car accident. Knowing how deeply her parents loved each other, she'd been worried for her mother, and so she stayed. But now, five years later, she was finally taking that big step. It was happening much later than it had compared with her peers, but Susan didn't mind, and she didn't regret her decision to stay with her mother.

"Besides," Susan added, and winked at her mother, "I don't think you'll miss me that much. You have Mr Williams to keep you company now,"

She grinned as her mother looked away shyly. Her mother had met Luke Williams four months ago and they'd begun dating two months later. Luke Williams was a nice elderly man in his early sixties who smiled a lot and insisted she called him Luke whenever she spoke to him. It was weird seeing her mother with someone who wasn't her father at first, but she'd gotten used to it as soon as she got to know Luke better. Her mother was happy, and that was what mattered the most.

"It's okay for you to date, Mom," she continued as she saw her mother's expression, "Dad has been gone for five years now, and I think he'd want you to live your life and be happy. I am very happy for you too but I think that's also another reason why I need to move out."

"I don't think your brother feels the same way," her mother said, "He doesn't seem to like Luke very much,"

"He's Sam," Susan replied, "You know how he is so I'm not surprised. He is always upset about something, but he will get over it. Now, it's getting late so why don't you start heading home... I can handle the rest of these boxes myself,"

After her mother left Susan sat in her new living room and stared at the remaining boxes scattered all over the floor. She was practically starting a new life, and she was looking forward to it. It was scary and exciting at the same time, but this was how it was supposed to be, right? What could possibly go wrong?

__________

Susan Jordan worked as a Real Estate agent, not necessarily because it was her dream job or because she loved it, but because it paid her bills. Most people believed that what a person did for a living had to be something they loved, but Susan wasn't one of those people.

She didn't hate her job, but she didn't like to kid herself either. The only reason why she had this job was because she was an adult. Adults had bills to pay, and now that she was finally living alone, it meant that she would have more bills to settle.

If she had the time to have a second job, she'd have gone for it, but she worked almost every day of the week, and between working at the office and showing houses to clients, she didn't have the time. The weekends and off days were reserved for herself, and she spent it running errands, reading and going to the gym.

This evening, she was on her way home from work, but she was heading to her brother's house first. Samuel Jordan, her brother was three years older than Susan, and after the death of their father, he'd stepped up as the man of the house. Samuel knew it was his responsibility to look after his mother and sister, and he did that to the best of his ability.

But months ago, Susan began to suspect that something was up with her brother. He barely came to visit anymore, and most of the time they could only reach him on the phone. Even now, a week had passed since she moved into her new apartment, and Samuel still hadn't come to visit. All he'd sent her was a text, and it was unlike him.

As she drove now to the two bedroom apartment he occupied, she knew he wouldn't like that she come unannounced, but she didn't care. She'd not seen her brother in weeks, and their mother was starting to get worried too.

His car was parked in the driveway when she arrived, but there was another black car there that she didn't recognise, and Susan could tell by looking at it that it was expensive. Wondering whose company her brother was currently entertaining, she got out and headed for the front door.

The door opened as she lifted her hand to knock, and Susan found herself staring into the eyes of a man she'd never seen before. He was huge, had his hair tied at the back of his head in a man bun, and looked like he spent a lot of time at the gym. His outfit made him look even more intimidating. He wore black pants and a black leather jacket, and he was staring at her like she'd interrupted a very important -or secret meeting.

Susan returned his gaze and swallowed hard, and she knew just by looking at this man that he was trouble. He wasn't someone she wanted to be around, and she didn't want him around her brother either, but he was right here in Samuel's house, and she had to know that her brother was alright.

"H...H... Hi," Susan stammered,

To say that the man looked intimidating was an understatement. He looked threatening... Dangerous, and his presence screamed bad news. Susan was getting more and more worried about her brother.

The man nodded in acknowledgment to her greeting, and simply waited for her to speak again.

"I'm here to see my brother, Samuel. Is he here?" Susan asked, finally finding her tongue.

There was silence for a few seconds, as the man simply stared her up and down. Just as Susan was beginning to think she wouldn't get an answer, another voice she didn't recognise came from within the house, "Let her in, Asher,"

The man, who Susan now knew as Asher, stepped backwards so she could come in, although Susan wasn't sure she wanted to anymore. What if her brother was in trouble? What if he wasn't even in there? What if they'd done something bad to him? Was it really a good idea to go in? She would be helpless if she walked in and found herself trapped in the house with these men, whoever they were. And who was the other man that had spoken? What did such a man have to do with a brother?

Subconsciously, Susan took a step backwards. "Could you ask my brother to come to the door if he's in, please?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The man still said nothing, but one corner of his lips lifted in a mischievous grin, like he knew she was intimidated and he wanted her to be. Just as Susan made up her mind to leave, and call the police when she got to her car, her brother showed up at the door. Samuel stood beside Asher, and Susan stared at him with both relief and curiosity.

"Sam," she said almost breathlessly, "Are you okay? I've been trying to reach you,"

"Go home, Suzy," was all Samuel said, "I'll call you later,"

Her brother looked alright, at least physically, Susan observed as she watched him, but he also looked agitated. Worried even, but he looked like he was more worried for her than for himself.

"I want to talk to you about something," she insisted, "Can you come with me, so we can go for a walk... Or a drive... Or something,"

She just wanted to get her brother away from these men so she could talk to him privately, but her plan went to hell when the other voice came from within once again.

"What's the hold up, Asher? Let your sister in, Samuel,"

Samuel frowned, and Asher stepped backward, "Get in," he told her gruffly,

But Susan remained where she was. There was no way in hell she was going to listen to this man. Instead she stared at her brother, and only proceeded to take a step forward when he nodded, letting her know it was okay to proceed.

Susan reluctantly stepped into the living room, and was immediately greeted by the sight of a man sitting on the couch. He looked different from that Asher guy. While Asher was of average height and heavily built, Susan could tell just by looking at this man's sitting form that he was very tall.

He was wearing a pair of jean trousers and turtleneck t-shirt that clung to his powerful frame. He didn't have a man bun like Asher. Instead his dark hair was cut neatly and styled perfectly to fit his full beard. He was a handsome man, Susan observed, but even if he didn't look scary, somehow he managed to look more threatening than Asher, and even more intimidating.

Susan couldn't take it anymore. Something shady was going down here and she was tired of the ominous silence and of everyone staring at her like she was a fragile, helpless little mouse. So she turned to her brother, "What's going on, Sam?" she asked.

Before Samuel could give her a reply, the man on the couch spoke again, "This your sister, Samuel?" he inquired.

It wasn't a question she'd not heard before. They were one of those siblings who had very little resemblance. While Sam took after their father, Susan was a carbon copy of their mother. Even their hair color was different. Sam had brown hair, while Susan was blonde. She'd often thought about dying it, but for some reason she kept postponing it and never got to do it.

However today, as Susan stared at this man, she could tell this question had nothing to do with resemblance or the color of their hair. Samuel responded that they were indeed siblings, and once again, the man's gaze returned to Susan. Only this time it didn't stop at just her face. His eyes took in the light blue blazers and matching skirt she'd worn to the office that morning. Down to her black stilettos. It annoyed her that he stared so unabashedly at her, and Susan, being someone who never hid the way she felt, frowned in disapproval. If he noticed the frown, he didn't seem to mind or care.

"What's your name, Barbie?" he asked lazily, once his gaze returned to her face.

"I don't think that's any of your business," Susan replied without thinking.

Samuel started to move forward, "Suzy..." he began, but Asher put a hand in his path, stopping his movement.

Slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, the man stood from the couch. He was even taller than Susan had guessed, and oh boy, did he look even more intimidating as he approached her. Susan was completely frightened now, but she forced her legs to stay put even when every bone in her body was telling her to take several steps backwards.

"Suzy..." the man repeated, as he finally reached and towered over her. "That's short for Susan, yeah?"

This time, Susan didn't have the guts to come up with any rude or sarcastic comment, so she nodded and tried not to look away. His hands moved, and she flinched, but he only dipped them into his pockets.

"That's a pretty name for a pretty girl," he added.

Susan had no idea what to say in response to that, so she kept mute. Without another word to her, he stepped away and approached Samuel.

"Two weeks," he said simply, "You've got two weeks,"

And without a second glance in her direction, the two men walked out of the house, leaving Susan and Samuel staring at each other in awkward silence.

Susan didn't need anyone to let her know that those men were bad news. Anyone could tell just by looking at them that they weren't people you wanted to cross. What did her brother have to do with such men and what did he have to do in two weeks? What the hell had just happened?

Seconds after the men left, Susan was staring daggers at her brother.

"Who were those men?" she asked, barely able to keep her voice steady, "And what are you doing with people who look like that?"

Samuel went to the front door, locked it and turned to frown at her, "You shouldn't have shown up here without calling first, Suzy," he said and began to head for the kitchen. "You could have gotten us both in a lot of trouble especially with that sharp mouth of yours, and frankly, I can't afford any more trouble at the moment,"

Flabbergasted, Susan followed him, "Excuse me. Is that all you have to say? Are you not going to answer my question?"

Samuel began opening cupboards and drawers, clearly looking for nothing in particular, and then he slammed one of them shut so hard that it shook. His actions confirmed Susan's suspicions, and she knew for sure now that her brother was in some kind of trouble.

"Who were those men, Sam," she insisted, "And what did they want with you?"

Instead of replying, Samuel sank into a chair and buried his head in his hands. He looked so worried, and Susan couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her brother so shaken.

"I was trying to keep it away from you and mom," Samuel said, his voice muffled by his palms, "But I guess I failed at that too." he lifted his head to look at her. "You cannot tell mom about this,"

"Tell mom what? You haven't told me anything so what exactly am I not supposed to tell mom. Who were those men?"

"Some men I owe money. A lot of money,"

Susan swallowed hard, and tried to keep her emotions in check. Panicking wouldn't do them any good, but she couldn't believe what she was hearing as Samuel continued speaking.

"I needed money for the car I bought, and I made some bad investments and some...Bad decisions. I thought I'd pay off but it didn't and now I'm in debt and they want their money back. I don't know what I'm going to do,"

"How much do you owe them?" Susan asked, her heart was beating so fast she was surprised it hadn't exploded.

Samuel looked at his sister, "Do you really want to know?"

"How much, Sam?" Susan pressed.

"Twenty five thousand,"

Susan wanted to scream, "Twenty five thousand?" she repeated fiercely, as if she couldn't believe her ears, "How the hell are you supposed to pay back that kind of money?"

She paced the kitchen, trying to process everything that had happened in the past thirty minutes. It was happening so fast she wondered if she was dreaming, but she wasn't. This was really happening. Her brother owed twenty five grand to two men who looked like they'd go to dangerous lengths to get whatever they wanted. She didn't want to imagine the worst, so she closed her mind against the thoughts creeping up in her mind.

"They're gang members, aren't they?" Susan asked as she finally stopped pacing, but she already knew the answer to her own question.

Samuel nodded, "The tall one is the boss. His name is Leo, and you shouldn't have talked to him that way. Leo doesn't like to be pushed, and from what I know about him, he's not someone you want to cross,"

"And yet you took money from him?"

"It was months ago okay? Look, I needed the money. It's not like my job pays me enough to get what I want. I made some bad investments and everything went to hell, but I swear this isn't the way it was supposed to go down." When Susan remained silent, he sighed, "Look, I can't deal with any judgment from you right now. Where do you think the money I gave you when you started your plans to move came from? I had things to take care of and I made a bad choice, okay? I'm kicking myself already and I don't need more from you or anyone,"

Susan ignored his outbursts. It was true that he'd helped her out, but she wouldn't have encouraged him if she knew what he'd been up to. "And it had to be him?" she asked.

"A friend told me he would be able to help and that I didn't have anything to worry about as long as I paid back. I guess I was overconfident that my investment would pay off,"

"So what are you going to do now, Sam? We both heard him. You have two weeks. What happens if you're not able to pay him by then? How am I supposed to keep something like this away from mom. I'm imagining the worst already,"

"You have to," Samuel cut in, "Honestly, I'd have loved it if you weren't a part of this but you had to come down here with your nosey self and now you know everything, but you're going to keep it away from mom. Promise me right now"

"I... I can't," Susan stammered, "What if something happens to you. Maybe we can talk to the police. You saw those men... There's no way they're not wanted by the police for something. Maybe if we out them, the police can get them and all of this will be over."

"What?" said Samuel, suddenly shooting up from his chair. Before Susan knew what was happening he had her arms in his hands and was shaking her hard, "Don't you dare do that. Do you hear me?" he told her. There was a look in his eyes that told Susan that he was deadly serious. "That's the worst thing you can ever think of doing. Leo has connections. Connections you can't even imagine, and I'm telling you right now that going to the cops is only going to do more harm than good. You think he hasn't escaped worse situations with the cops and your little information is going to mean anything? Because it won't. So promise me right now, Suzy, that you're not going to call anyone, and that you're not going to bring our mother into this,"

Susan squirmed. "Fine, I promise. Now let go. You're hurting me,"

Realising his mistake, Samuel released her immediately, "I'm sorry," he said, "I know you're worried about me, but you don't have to be. I'll figure something out,"

Susan remained silent, and watched her brother as he returned to his chair. She could tell he was trying to keep it together, but could see that he was worried, and so was she.

So they couldn't go to the cops... What now?