Chapter 139
(MILES)
Perhaps we should cancel the wedding.
But then, Sasha will be mad at me for ruining his perfect little merger. I could always enter the marriage knowing it is fully a marriage of convenience. Maybe we should have separate rooms. I doubt if I have it in me to go through with the marriage just for the sake of the merger. Have my feelings for Arlo made me too vulnerable?
Feeling muddled, I go back to the basement. Sasha has probably tortured Dalton silly considering how his head is hung low. I’m not sure he is dead yet. I could care less even if he is. Sasha pulls off his gloves and watches me. “You didn’t seem into it today p>
I know exactly what he means but still try to evade the question. “What do you mean p>
He shrugs. “I thought you would enjoy watching Dalton get what he deserves for attacking Arlo, but you seemed distracted the entire time. You almost took the fun out of it for me p>
“Sorry,” I shrug. You really strung this one out though. I got bored, kind of.” I avoid his gaze and peel paint off the worn-out door. I give it a little too much attention, hoping he stops talking about it and moves to another subject.
He doesn’t.
“We spent four full days on that mobster from Eudora who was accused of trafficking women.” He murmurs. “I don’t remember you getting bored then p>
“That was an entirely different case. That man was a despicable character. We would have taken two days with me had we wanted.” I stand and flicker the paint off my hand.
Sasha throws the gloves into a refuse container. “I’m willing to listen if… you… want to talk p>
I blink at him, surprised. “I don’t need to talk p>
“Dude, I don’t know. You were very okay with Arlo earlier today. Now you’re moping around like your pet goldfish died p>
“I don’t have a pet goldfish.” I scowl.
“Yeah. Because that was my point.” Sasha whispers.
I rake my fingers through my hair feeling frustrated. “It’s just…I’ve been thinking, you know, with Arlo’s surgery and everything going on. Maybe we should postpone the wedding.
“I don’t think so.” Sasha grunts.
I gaze at him irritably. “But it is my wedding p>
“Yeah, kind of. You are only marrying Arlo because I asked you to p>
His callousness makes me angry, but I stuff down my annoyance. “I’m still the one getting married. Will it hurt to postpone it by a week p>
“Because I want to get things going as soon as possible. He descends the stairs and I follow him. “Are you getting cold feet p>
“When did I ever have warm feet p>
We soon get to the room above the basement. It is a fully furnished space where Sasha sometimes holds meetings with his capos. Sasha’s grandfather designed the basement for the sole purpose of punishing people whenever needed. The whole apartment is soundproofed. Nobody but the most trusted members of the Triple Triads know the basement exists.
At the corner, there is a fridge filled with beverages. Sasha goes to the fridge and returns with two glasses in his hands. He sits on one of the tan sofas in front of me. He watches me intently.
“We’ve known each other for the longest time. You should be able to trust me with what’s bugging you.” He drums his fingers across the arms of the couch.
“I already told you nothing is wrong p>
“Liar, now come on, spill it p>
I groan and lean back into my chair. “Since when do you want to talk about stuff, Sasha p>
“Since I fell in love with Tyler. He showed me that it is okay to talk stuff out sometimes p>
“Well, sometimes it just makes things worse p>
“Of course.” He takes a sip, looking thoughtful. “We won’t know until you tell me what this is about p>
I find this conversation hugely annoying, but I know that he genuinely cares about me, so it is almost impossible to be mad. “Did you hear what Arlo told Dalton just before we entered the hospital room p>
He scowls. “I’m not sure if I know what you mean p>
“He flat-out admitted to Dalton that he ruined his plan. That if it weren’t for him, you and I would’ve been dead already. Who knows? Maybe he is just hiding and is waiting for the perfect time to execute his plan p>
“I don’t think that’s what he meant.” Sasha shrugs.
“That is exactly what he meant. Maybe he is still pissed that we are alive p>
“I didn’t think of it that way p>
“How can you not p>
“He was about to be stabbed by this lunatic. He was out of his mind then, he would have said anything. You can’t take him seriously p>
I take a big gulp of the beer. “I’m the one to marry him,” I grumble. “I’m not even sure if I want to marry him now p>
Sasha talks amusedly. “Did he hurt your little witty feelings p>
“Don’t mock me, Sasha. Tell me, how would you like it if Tyler wanted you dead p>
“Tyler told me he wanted me to die countless times when we met.” He laughs gruffly. “He even said it in my face. He hated my guts seriously when we met, but that didn’t stop me from marrying him p>
“Maybe you have a thicker heart, Sasha. I don’t prefer being killed in my sleep p>
“Don’t be silly, Miles. He is crazy about you. Remember how he was purring like a kitten when you were touching his head.” He puts his beer on the table. “you should go see him in the hospital. He is probably wondering where you are p>
“I don’t need to. He is coming home p>
“Is he?” Sasha arches a brow. “when p>
“Now.” I look away. “I sent Paul to go get him.” He is quiet and when I sneak a peek at him, I notice how he scowls at me. “What?” I ask.
“How can you send someone to go pick your omega after he nearly died?” He shakes his head as if I’m an idiot. “He is going to be really mad at you when he gets here p>
“He has always been mad at me. Ever since we met p>
“You’re not getting out of this marriage, Miles. Everything has been settled p>
“How about we unsettle it p>
“Why are you fucking up things now when everything is already set?” he scowls.
“Excuse me if I don’t want to marry an omega who wants me dead p>
Sasha’s patience seems to wear out. “Quit acting like a child Miles and pull up your big boy pants. Go talk to your omega. Don’t loom for some skittish reason to bail on this wedding p>
“I have a reason p>
Sasha bites his jaw stubbornly but then his expression changes. He looks thoughtful. “Well, maybe we can make other plans instead p>
“Now you are talking.”I nod
I smile wryly. “Maybe I can let Jericho marry him instead p>
My gaze flicks irritably. “Excuse me”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “We already have the plans in place. If you are too scared that Miles might pull the trigger after the wedding then we can let Jericho marry him instead. He liked him. He’d probably do it for the family p>
“You can’t be serious p>