Chapter 159
(WESLEY)
I know for a fact that Miles isn’t just going to let me brush him off. Panic surges through me as I rack my brain for a lie that he might believe. I don’t see how I can be candid with him. My mind jumps to a story that Papa once told me.
“Well…uhm…my reasons are rather personal.” I stall
“Explain yourself.” He demands with an unrelenting tone.
I try to think of how I’ll cook up a believable story. I fidget while at it. I need to sound very sincere so that he buys the lie. I need to make it as real as possible. Otherwise, he will never accept my sad, made-up story. I focus on making my face melancholy. I’m praying that he buys the act. “Do you remember the incident that occurred six years ago p>
“Six years ago?” he scowls.
“Yeah, some civilians were gunned down in the city. In cold blood” I force myself to meet his gaze when in reality I know I could easily pee myself. My insides are quaking with nervousness.
“Yeah, I remember. A war broke out between Terra nova and another syndicate p>
“Yeah, that’s right.” I look away, trying so hard to not blink because I want my eyes to water. Once they begin to sting, I lower my voice, schooling it to make sure that I sound emotional. “My… my sister Ava, she got caught up in the crossfire. She was just crossing the street when she was shot. She had nothing to do with that war. She was just crossing the streets and they shot her. She didn’t even reach the hospital alive. She died on the spot”
“She was killed?” Miles asks. My lie seems to have taken him aback. I was just hoping that he would respond to the story like he is. I’m relieved to learn that the tale is pulling at his empathy.
“Y…yes.” I nod, my eyes now stinging painfully from not blinking until they fill up with tears.
“That was horrible.” He furrows his brow, taking in my watery eyes. “I’m so sorry your sister had to go through that p>
“That was the worst day of my life.” I lower my gaze but then peek up at him from beneath my brows. I’m thrilled to see that instead of feeling suspicious, he looks distracted. “Ever since Ava died, I have always tried to steer clear of anything mafia related. I know that being anywhere around the mafia is risky, even if you are innocent like Ava was.” My fake tears have served their purpose. So, I wipe my eyes.
He winces. “I suppose I now understand your reservations about working with us. With this life, being collateral damage is a possibility p>
“I know it is, but then I see how much Arlo needs my help.” It is a thin line between seeming reticent to take the job while not discouraging Miles from hiring me. I need the job too, even if I will just do it temporarily. There is a lot that I could teach Arlo to improve himself. I will move on when I feel that he has enough confidence to take care of baby Reign on his own. Then, there will be no harm done on either side.
“Are you sure that you still want to work for us?” Miles asks.
“Of course. If I let my grief get in the way, I’m afraid that Arlo might end up more depressed. I…I feel like I can show him things that will help him take care of baby Reign better. Things that will boost his confidence. He will be so much happier once he learns that he can be a better father p>
Miles grunts. He no longer looks distrustful. If anything, he just appears worried about his omega again. “I’m so sorry about what happened to your sister again.” He mutters with a frown.
“Thanks.” I feel a little guilt nudge at me. That’s a terrible foundation for starting a job. They are going to trust me with their child yet here I am lying bluntly to his face. I wonder what will become of me if he eventuality R gets to learn of the lie. Then again, it was necessary to throw him off scent. All those years of being mafia wouldn’t let him just trust me blindly. He will actually benefit with me working for him. So, it is a win win for us both.
“Thank you for pushing your concerns to help Arlo.” He says, studying me with his dark eyes. “To help us p>
“Sure.” I’m thrilled that Miles bought my story. I will not only earn some good money, but I will also help Arlo build his confidence and be a good father while at it. That is one thing that I enjoy about this job. Not many omegas are in touch with their parenting instincts. And even if they are, I get that being a new parent can be overwhelming. I love to help them through it.
Miles gestures towards my car parkers out in the driveway. “You can go now.” He says in a dismissive tone.
I manage with great difficulty to not scowl at his indifferent tone. He is acting like it was my idea to stay back and chat with him some more. Like it wasn’t his. But I’m going to have to learn to stand Miles if I’m going to work for him. I better get used to his ways. “If you’re sure there’s no more questions.” I say with a forced smile on my face.
“No, not at all.” He says. I can’t help but feel that there is an unspoken ’for now’ lingering somewhere.
“Alright then, I’ll see you and Arlo tomorrow.” I say walking down the stairs.
I expect him to shut the door after me but he doesn’t. He looks at me until I get to my car. I reassure myself that this isn’t anything personal. That it is just in his DNA to be suspicious. That is how he stays alive.
I tread down the long driveway hoping that Miles could just stop wondering and suspecting things so much. I know I have my tracks covered well, but with these mafia guys, anything is possible. I might have not hidden them so well. Starting all over again is a hassle that I sure do not want to go through again. Reinventing oneself is no easy task. I don’t relish the thought of doing it again.
For now, it looks like Miles accepts what I tell him. Ever since I left Papa and Danny, I have lived a lie. I hope to keep it that way for as long as I can, or rather as long as Miles doesn’t suspect me. All I have to do is keep my head down, help Arlo with his confidence and do my job the best way I can.
I don’t see anything that could possibly draw suspicion on me. I have to tread very carefully now to not even cross paths with the mafia guys who aren’t them. Mafia is mafia and everyone knows everyone. Who knows if I will cross paths with one who knows the Sawyer clan or the Sawyers themselves? I will keep my head down and focus on my job. By the time he begins to question stuff again, I will be long gone.