Page 184 of Deceit

“You think a bunch of babies are gonna rob you? Listen—“

“Enough,” Marty grounds out, raising his arm and gently shoving Mills back between him and me. “You’re going to need to lawyer up. Showing up at my house justreallypissed me off.”

“That isn’t what I came here for,” Alexander alludes, redirecting his attention to Marty. “I was hoping to keep the press and courts out of this. To come up with our own agreement.”

“There’s not going to be one where those kids are handed off to you,” Marty counters back. “Again, lawyer.”

“I’m prepared to offer you more than is deserved.” Alexander nods and one of the men steps forward in a black suit, a manila folder in his hand. “I’m willing to pay for the children. Though these DNA results keep coming up as you—“ He returns his attention to Mills. ”—being the father, I think you’re tampering with them.”

Mills scoffs, not bother with taking what in his hands. “Tampering? You think I wanted to be a father with zero help on purpose?”

“I think you’re trying to save Emmy’s children from being away from you and your little gang.” He makes a circle with his index finger, including all of us in his sentence.

“Gang?” Marty repeats. “How about that we take care of our own. You’re butt-hurt, it’s alright, bro.”

“This has nothing to do with—“

“Get the fuck out of here before we startactinglike a gang,” Marty sneers, inching closer to the man who doesn’t belong here. “We’ll see you in court, dickhead.”

Alexander dismisses Marty by not even acknowledging him, locking his gaze with Mills. “We both know you’d rather go back to your old life. The money I’m willing to offer…will get you better friends.”

A mirthless laugh leaves Marty, but Mills and I remain quiet, waiting for this asshole to go so we can figure out what the hell to do.

Sotheycan figure it out, I’m not doing shit.

“Think about it,” he surmises. “The twins will have everything they deserve and more.”

“Why do you want them?” Mills’s voice turns a shade demonic as he scowls at his problem.

“Because they’re mine...and so was Emmy.”

My jaw tightens and Alexander takes his out, not wasting time for a response when he and all his little bodyguards pile up in their SUVs and take off.

Not once did he appear heartbroken that the mother of those kids was gone. It all feels like a gain to save face.

But something else illuminates off his lean frame that sends a violent chill down my spine.

He appears guilty as fuck.

Lucien and Mills say Emmy had birthing complications. That she hemorrhaged and the doctors couldn’t save her after the accident. I never heard or asked for any other painful details.

Did he cause the car accident? Was he driving?

In this instance, Emmy would look through security and street light cameras to find the full story. I know nothing about how to do it, and I’m not about to ask Mills because I’d more than likely use the laptop against his skull. Blue is his ally and…Kyson will always be mine.

Pivoting, I leave the three there and make my way back through the woods to find my best friend. If Alexander has anything to do with Emmy’s death, not only will I make sure he meets the full extent of what I’m capable of but everyone involved within B723.

This can’t be a coverup. If Mills wasn’t the father, he’d just fucking tell us.

Marching through the yard, Kyson is holding one of the babies. Reagan and Stormi are across from him as they laugh about something amongst themselves. And as if to sense me, Ky glances over to find me locked in on him.

He already knows.

He’s aware of my posture and that I need something. He’s been with me almost my entire life and can read me better than anyone.

Even Emmy.

He holds up a finger, excusing himself while Reagan and Stormi pay me zero mind while he rises.

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