Chapter 197
(JERICHO)
“Pathetic weakling.” Danny snorts, “You’re both simps p>
Wesley exhales harshly then pushes past Peter and Danny and comes to stand beside me. I’m glad that he finally listened. Even so, it is still a tricky situation. The other two are still armed, so even if we run down the stairs, odds are that they will catch up with us before we make it down. We need to tie them up with something. That will buy us sometime to get to my car.
I glance at Wesley. “Do you have a rope p>
“No.” he says breathlessly. “But I have a closet that locks from outside. We can lock them in there. It won’t hold them forever though. But that should at least buy us sometime p>
I’m relieved when he tells me that there is a way to stall the thugs. “You two, inside the apartment, now p>
“Why?” Danny asks, barely making any move to obey.
“Because I said so.” I train the gun on him p>
“You need to get their weapons first, Jericho.” Wesley whispers in my ear.
Oh, yeah.
I clear my throat. “Before you go inside, drop your weapons on the ground p>
By the way their faces scrunch, I can tell that they are not pleased. Even so, they pull their guns from their suits and perch slowly, placing them on the ground carefully.
“Good.” I say while training them. “Now go inside p>
“Wait.” Wesley says. “Danny has another gun in his ankle holster p>
Danny glares at Wesley but he reaches down and pulls out the gun from a little leather holster. He then puts it where he put the first gun. “I’m gonna make you pay for this betrayal, Wesley p>
“Shut up and get inside the apartment.” I order.
“You’re going to feel like a complete idiot when you realize Wesley played you, Jericho.” Peter sneers. “He is lying to you, and is only using you to get what he wants p>
There is no denying that Peter’s words burn straight into my brain. Ever since I met Wesley, all he has done is to lie to me. Even though my feelings for him are strong, I don’t trust him one bit now. But then, I can’t leave him with Danny and Peter. I’m not sure what will come next after I manage to get him away from them. For now, my focus is to get us both out of here unscathed.
“I said stop talking and get inside the apartment now!” I say harshly.
Peter shoots me a dirty glare and they both go inside the apartment. Wesley and I follow from a distance. Wesley leads them to the coat closet then opens the door. He is also keen enough to keep a little distance from them. Danny gives me a death glare before he steps into the closet. Peter is now malevolently quiet. His slate-coloured eyes are now cold and filled with malice. He speaks less and I get the idea that he could be deadlier than Danny.
Once we are satisfied that they are inside the closet, Wesley shuts the closet door then locks it. He then grabs a kitchen chair and wedges it under the handle. “Let me add just a little extra something to hold them back for a bit longer.” He says.
We hurry out of Wesley’s apartment but before we even get to the stairs, Wesley pulls out his cell and dials 911. “I’m calling to report that someone has been seriously injured at 862 Wildbuds Avenue, Apt 13. Please send an ambulance quickly.” He says into the phone then puts it on the redhead’s chest. He gently brushes the alpha’s pale cheek and jealousy courses through me like hellfire. “I’m so sorry you got involved, Justin p>
“Wesley, come on.” I urge, sick to my stomach at the heartbroken look on his face. I’m certain that he is upset. He must have strong feelings for that redhead.
He turns and follows me with grim countenance. We race down the stairs to the bottom level then bolt towards my Lamborghini. I unlock my car and Wesley obediently gets in then I start the engine. I pull out onto the quiet street as we head down to the main highway.
The silence in the car is uncomfortable. Of all the ways that I had imagined our reunion would be, this was the last thing that I expected. I’m still struggling to grapple with the fact that Wesley is indeed the son of Peter Sawyer. I don’t even know where or how to start speaking to him about what just happened. He isn’t speaking either. I don’t know if he is grateful that I just saved him from those two lunatic relatives of his, or resentful that I showed up out of the blue. Perhaps he is still concerned about that redhead and I mean as much to him as an uber driver.
I’m compelled to break the uncomfortable silence between us. So, I clear my throat and ask, “Is your lip still bleeding p>
“I…I think it stopped.” He says softly, hands clasped together so hard, his knuckles are white.
When we reach the ramp near the freeway, an ambulance races fast past us, followed by a paramedic truck. Wesley turns his head to watch them pass then says, “I hope Justin is okay p>
The obvious worry in his voice hurts. I’m jealous that he is concerned for the other alpha even as I feel that he betrayed me. By all rights, I should hate him. He is a member of the Irish mob, and everything that comes out of his mouth, by default, is a lie. But I’m not just hurt that he lied to me. To us. I’m also very suspicious of him. What was he up to the entire time he was at the Caspars’? Why was a member of the Irish mob doing in a Triple Triads’ household? Was he sent there to spy on them? Or was he there to kidnap baby Reign and kill us in our sleep?
“We need to talk.” I clear my throat.
“Yes.” He says with a lot of tension in his voice.
“Why did you lie to us about who you are?” I can’t hide my emotions any better and I hate how my voice trembles with anger. But bitter pain, jealousy and anger are swirling inside of me.
He clasps his fingers even harder. “The reason must be obvious by now p>
I glance at him and take in his stony profile. “Because you are Peter Sawyer’s son p>
“It is more than that, but I guess that’s the only part that you will fixate on.” He sounds frustrated.
“Yeah. Our families are sworn enemies, Wes. Is that even your name p>
“My connection with the Sawyer family died six years ago when I left the Sawyer clan p>
“Who even knows if it is true that you left? Maybe your mild mannered and ever so helpful manny routine was just an act to get you into Miles’ home p>
“No p>
I huff then pull into the highway. “You must see how this looks, right? How the hell would you have ended up being assigned to Miles’ home? How if it wasn’t orchestrated? What are the odds of such a thing happening randomly p>
“Jericho, I…I understand how this looks. But trust me when I tell you that I didn’t intend to harm any of you. I swear p>
I let out a disgruntled sound. “I don’t believe you. Were you spying on us the entire time and giving reports to your father, huh? Were you telling him about our every move p>
He shifts then inches closer to me. “Think about it, Jericho. If my intention was to hurt you, you wouldn’t have been here discussing it with me. If I meant you harm, would I have protected you and baby Reign back at the park that day? I wasn’t there to spy or harm anyone. I swear p>
“Then what the fuck were you doing in Miles’ home?” I demand angrily.
He hangs his head low. “I wanted to help Arlo.” He says quietly.
“What does that even mean p>
Wesley shrugs. “I’m a manny. Really. That’s my real job. I didn’t lie to you about that. I know that this is hard to believe, but I was randomly sent to Miles and Arlo’s home for an interview. That is how it usually works. Someone calls an agency for help, then the company randomly picks someone that they think has skills to do the required job. Then we are sent to meet the parents. To see if we are compatible p>
“So, you’re pretending you weren’t aware whose home you were in p>
“No.” he frowns. “I’m not saying that. I realized who Miles was the minute I met him. I wanted to leave them then. Trust me, I was going to turn down the assignment. It wasn’t as easy as you think p>
“Then why didn’t you? You could have just as easily said no!” I huff.
“You don’t understand what it was like. Arlo was so desperate for help. I felt so bad telling him no. I really wanted to help him. I always want to help omegas who struggle with being new parents p>
I laugh sarcastically. “And I’m supposed to believe that you were there out of the kindness of your heart? Wesley please. Give me a break p>