Chapter 158
(WESLEY)
Miles studies me for a while and when I don’t answer immediately, he says, “Please, Wesley, I’m worried about Arlo. We need your help.” He kisses him on the forehead. “This is too much for him to handle. It’s even worse that I don’t know how to take care of a baby. Could you start tomorrow? Please. I am willing to pay you triple what the agency asked for p>
I know for a prideful alpha like Miles, begging isn’t easy. The fact that he can step on his pride to show vulnerability for his omega warms me. It makes my heart ache even. What omega wouldn’t want their alpha to protect them like that? It is true that working with a family that is influenced by the mafia doesn’t sit right with me, but my empathy for Arlo overrides that fact.
Maybe I could give Arlo the support that he craves. Maybe I can show him how to better handle baby Reign in a few weeks. Maybe I could even help him to gain some confidence. Then I would make up some excuse about why I should move on. Of course, I would stay until they find another nanny, but not till the end of the contract. That would be safe enough, I think.
Arlo turns his head and when our eyes meet, something inside of me softens. The one main reason why I didn’t fit in my family was empathy. It comes in handy when I am working with new parents, but sometimes it gets me in trouble.
I clear my throat. “Before I accept your offer, can I ask you something?” I ask lowly.
“Of course,” Arlo says. “You can ask us anything you want p>
“Well, in that case… You are Miles Caspar, tight?” I meet Miles’ dark gaze.
His eyes flicker. He loosens his grip on Arlo then turns to face me. “Is that a problem p>
Uneasiness shifts through me and I grimace. “See, I’m not judging you. I…I’m only asking because I don’t want anything mafia related. I mean, anything mafia affiliated. But since this is a live-in position, I worry that I might be exposed to certain things. That is if I agree to work with you p>
“Wait, you didn’t know who we were before you arrived?” Arlo asks, looking puzzled. “I thought the agency would have told you a little more about us p>
“Usually, they’d give me a full report before the meet up. But I guess they withheld the information because of who you are. For privacy reasons.” I sigh loudly. “Honestly, if I knew who you were, I would have turned down the invitation p>
“Really?” Arlo frowns. “Why though? We’re just people who need you for your expertise p>
“Yes,” I nod. “It’s just…I’m sure you know that mafia life is not like normal life. It can get very violent sometimes and I prefer to distance myself from that kind of thing p>
Arlo laughs. “We don’t have a torture chamber downstairs nor do we hold syndicate meetings here. I do my best to keep that world away from baby Reign. I might not have that luxury when he is older, but for now, I prefer to keep that world away from him p>
Some little tension eases up inside me. “Alright then, that was what I was wondering.” I hope that Arlo is telling the truth. If he is then working for them short term would be safe. The odds of me running across anyone who has links with the Sawyer clan are slim.
“Is there a particular reason why you have these aversions to all things mafia?” Miles asks, his face now cold and calculating. His voice is nard and he looks unfriendly. The gentle alpha who just asked for my help minutes ago is now gone. I can’t really blame him for being defensive but I’m certain now that he thinks I am judging him.
“No, not really.” I say, avoiding his gaze. I’m not willing to be honest either. Even if I worked for them for a decade, I would never come clean about my association with the Sawyer clan. Not only do I find my family embarrassing, but I don’t trust anyone enough to keep my whereabouts a secret. “I just know that the mafia lifestyle can be violent p>
“Hmmm Miles murmurs, studying me keenly.
I meet his wary gaze nervously. “If my discomfort with you would mean you don’t want me to work for you, then I totally understand p>
Arlo inhales sharply. “We aren’t saying that, right Miles?” h shoots his alpha a pointed look. All we are saying is you don’t have to worry about our work life converging with our home life. They are separate, and we like it that way p>
I know and have experienced enough to understand that there is no way the two worlds can fail to overlap. But I understand and appreciate that Arlo is trying to keep his baby as far as possible from that world. “Then if you’re okay with me working for you, then I can do that.” I smile at Aral and notice that at the moment, he is more receptive than Miles.
He sighs with relief. “Yes. We what you. I…I need your help.” He lets out a shy embarrassed laugh as he motions at the baby who is sleeping peacefully on my shoulders. “The sooner you can start, the better p>
“Are you still on board with hiring me?” I ask as I meet Miles’ brooding gaze.
I see how his eyes glitter pridefully. I suspect that part of him resents that I questioned what an honor it is to work for him. Perhaps he wants to put me in my place and reject my offer to work for them. He glances at his omega, taking in his hopeful expression and he softens a little. “I will always be on board with what Arlo wants p>
Arlo breathes out shakily. “Thank you, Miles p>
Miles slips his arms around Arlo’s slender waist. “Of course, my love p>
I move towards them and place the sleeping baby in Arlo’s arms.” Things will be so much easier from now on, I can guarantee that.” I smile at him reassuringly. “Before you know it, you will even be wondering why you needed me in the first place p>
“I don’t know about that.” Arlo says while gazing at the sleeping infant.
“I’ll let the agency know that we are compatible and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I say then step outside. My plan is to walk myself out of the mansion, but Miles follows me quickly.
“I’ll be right back.” He says to Arlo. My skin grows gooseflesh and the hairs at the back of my neck prickle when he follows me outside. I open the door but before I leave, he pats a hand on my shoulder. “Wait a second p>
I stop immediately then turn to face him. The raw aggression that he emanates intimidates me. His hand is no longer on me but I still feel uneasy. “Was there something else?” I ask, hating how my voice wobbles.
“I need to know the truth about why our syndicate ties bother you p>
I swallow hard, dragging my gaze away from his. “There is no specific reason. I just know that the Mafia and violence go hand in hand p>
“Quit lying to me.” He says in a cold hard voice. “Tell me, what’s your connection to the mafia p>
“I…I have no connection with the mafia p>
“Tell me the truth.” He leans toward me menacingly.