Page 182 of Deceit

“I don’t know.”

“They’re not his,” I repeat.

Mills lifts his shoulders. “He’s a CEO, maybe his family is pressuring him. Maybe he has self-esteem issues. Maybe he has a small dick and has to make it up somewhere. Regardless, I need to make sure nothing happens. That they remain here. With us.”

I slowly shake my head because this isn’t my problem.

Now that I’m holding Atlas, I’m teeter-tottering on the idea of still offing Mills. Do I wanna be that guy who kills her only parent off? And then what, where do they go?

“Have the boys help you,” I assert because I can’t be here for them.

I’m not a good role model.

I’m not going to be able to look at their father and not want to throttle him.

I’ll forever have to deal with being pissed at Emmy and still being in love with their mother.

I’m not built for this kind of pain where two living human beings that should’ve been mine, aren’t.

“Cool—“ Mills takes advantage of my lack of movement with his daughter in my arms and erases two steps between us. “—you’re a boy.Helpme.”

“I’m not—“ He practically rushes me. Those GQ features of his hardening on my rugged ones as he seeks to intimidate me with how serious he is about my aiding his cause.

We both know I’m not.

“Youare,” he grounds out, baring his perfect teeth at me. “You’re going to help me keep my and Emmy’s kids safe. You’re going to make sure that this motherfucker doesn’t try snatching them up. You’re going to use your broody, bored ass who isn’t doing anything but planning my demise and show up every fucking day with a smile on your face because Emmy was family. And she’s gone now. She can’t do it herself.”

Atlas suddenly squirms in the nook of my arm, but I don’t pay her any attention.

If I do, I’ll melt and comply.

If I agree, then I’ll be only torturing myself from here until eternity. I was a complete asshole to Emmy. I can only imagine how I’d be with Atlas when she started dating boys and Alaric just having his name being said around me and how his mother did it for me.

Yeah, I’m not going to do this.

Mills steals a glance at his daughter. A small smile creeps up his face. “She likes you already. Good.”

I glare at him. “I’m not watching your kids. You should’ve thought of that before—”

“It became yours when you fell in love with Emmy.” He trails his attention back to me.

And I don’t bother denying it.

“Still not doing it.”

“You really wanna do this?” His eyes crinkle. “You think you’re going to be able to keep yourself away from these kids?”

“Yeah.”

He bows his head. “Wow, you’re doing a good fucking job already because you’re holding my daughter.”

My nostrils flare at the constant reminder. I don’t fight much with Mills to where he returns with a comeback. Usually, he just takes it up the ass and ignores Marty and I when we order him around like a kid brother and tell him to go fuck himself.

But he’s a father now with two precious gifts to protect. And while I’d normally back him, I’ve washed my hands of that.

“You’re still a dead man,” I leer. “There is no forgiveness for you.”

“Why because you can’t take it?” The hand still being held hostage begins to pull from her grip, but she tightens hers, causing me to return my focus back down to her. “I’d say they were a mistake…but after being with them, I can’t say it. It’s all we got.”

---