Chapter 127
(MILES)
The tension in here is getting a bit uncomfortable. So, I clear my throat to lose it a bit. “Half the marriages where people marry for love tend to fail. The odds for arranged marriages might actually be better p>
“Of course.” Arlo forces a smile. “Nothing spells bliss like being forced into a marriage with someone you usually wouldn’t give your attention to p>
His disrespectful attitude makes my face warm. However, I know better than to show it. Getting into a big argument in front of everyone will only taint our image and serve no purpose. “This marriage will serve you and the Sovereign Ring syndicate. Wait and see p>
He opens his mouth to say something but Tyler speaks over him. “Are you experiencing any morning sickness, Arlo p>
The question catches him off guard. “No. I… I’m not even sure if I am… uh… pregnant.” His face flushes with a bright shade of pink.
Tyler laughs. “Miles gave you his bite. I’m very certain that you are p>
“No,” Arlo says quietly. “Maybe my body rejected his baby. Who knows? Maybe I’m lucky p>
Lucia glances at Arlo irritably. “You know Arlo, Miles has been nothing but nice to you ever since he came into the dining room. You’ve been rude since. Can you please stop that p>
He winces. “Sorry.” His tone however doesn’t particularly sound sorry. Knowing him, I know he isn’t sorry in the least bit.
Sorry or not, he is going to be mine.
The realization makes my insides spark with excitement. He can bitch about and complain all he wants knowing there’s no way out. Either way, he still ends up in my bed. That doesn’t mean that I will force myself onto him either. I don’t even have to. I know he likes having sex with me. His attitude might be pissy right now, but behind closed doors, he begs me to fuck him. He hungers for me just as much as I do or maybe more.
I haven’t touched him since the woods. I have a feeling that on the night of our wedding, he will be painfully responsive. The idea that he is going to be mine forever exhilarates me. I know that then, no other alpha will have the right to touch him.
Tyler circles his baby bump. “You know Arlo…if you are pregnant, it will be fun to have some company. Then, we can whine about our swollen ankles and morning sickness together p>
I notice that Arlo seems to be uncomfortable with the conversation. “I guess.” He shrugs then spears a piece of bacon on his plate and chomps it down, scowling p>
“Do your men know about our marriage? Have you informed them?” I ask.
“Yes, I have.” He says. “They are confused and I can’t even blame them.
“All you need to do is remind them that the Sovereign Ring Syndicate is still the Sovereign Ring Syndicate. Only now, it is under the umbrella of the Triple Triads. We protect you. Your operations will still be independent… not all, but for the most part p>
“I still don’t buy that bit,” Arlo says. “You want to tell me that Sasha won’t be expecting me to ask for permission from him when I want to make decisions p>
“He will, but only if it is a major decision. He will want a say in how you will handle the ports first. He will ask until he can trust you to handle the business on your own without any issues. Sasha is not the type of person who likes to micromanage. You will have plenty of freedom to run your businesses as you wish p>
“If you say so.” He shrugs, sounding sceptical.
“You should see the doctor,” Lucia changes the subject. Perhaps she gets the idea that Arlo is inexperienced and that maybe he needs some help. The fact that he is in denial about the pregnancy doesn’t make the situation any better either. “You should be seeing the doctor if you are pregnant¸Arlo. You’ll need to start taking prenatal vitamins p>
He pushes away his mostly empty plate. “I feel normal. Nothing has changed and I don’t feel any different physically. I will see the doctor if need be p>
“Man,” Jericho laughs. “You are in absolute denial. You really don’t want to be pregnant, no p>
I get that he might be trying to lighten the tension, but he doesn’t know the brat he is dealing with. That kid’s moods swing in seconds. He could be happy one minute and sad the next minute. He could be bubbly and the mere sight of me could ruin that in a second. We are only together because of necessity, otherwise we wouldn’t stand each other. He might not like me like that, but after the wedding, he will have no choice but to submit to me. I’m his alpha. I will always subdue him.
Arlo shrugs then gets up. “I’m going for a walk. I need to make a bunch of phone calls.” He glances at me. “Am I allowed to? I need to meet my men today. There is a lot we need to discuss p>
“It’s alright. You can meet them, but I’ll have to accompany you p>
He bites his jaw. “Awesome p>
Lucia sighs. She seems to be as tired of Arlo’s attitude as I am, considering her resigned look at him.
I ignore his shitty attitude. “My schedule is flexible today. Let me know ohe time you intend to meet them p>
He nods but keeps silent.
Lucia eyes Arlo straight. Usually, she is nice and pleasant and would take forever to show when she is passed at someone. She must be really fed up with Arlo at this point. I can’t blame her though. Arlo is a handful. He is my problem. I’m the only one who can deal with him best without taking his insensitive attitude personally. “So, Sunday it is? The wedding ceremony p>
He sighs. “Alright. Saturday.” He looks at me. He is fed up but there really aren’t many choices for him. “We could stop at Angie’s cake and pick the cakeflavourr while we are out. I mean, the sham wedding is already happening. We might as well need the cake p>
I smile, even though I didn’t intend to. I’m pleased that he suggested that. At least, he is pretending to be on board. It was already hard enough convincing him to get on board. Even when Sasha sent me to get him up to speed, I was scared of his reaction. I knew he wouldn’t give in without a fight, but here we are. The idea of dragging him, kicking and screaming to the aisle doesn’t sit right with me. He is willing to taste cakes with me. That alone is a good sign. “Okay p>
“Well, I’ll see you then.” He says and turns to leave the room.
“He’s a stubborn one.” Jericho sighs. “High maintenance. You’re going to have work cut out for you when you are finally married p>
“I know., I mutter.
Lucia shrugs. “He will come around.” She says. “I told you the other day that you are fated mates. He will fight you and grow tired eventually. He can’t put it up forever.
I laugh. “I don’t know about that, Lucia. But if anyone could put up a fight forever, it would be that little bastard p>