Page 92 of Shattered Veil

Balor is sending my dad on a trip, but he didn’t tell me.

Even though I’m Balor’s personal assistant, I’m privy to projects the other team members in the command center are working on. Balor has sent IT specialists out of town here and there. And always mentioned it to me in the course of our conversations about projects.

Balor lights up talking about his work and how he built a state-of-the-art network, security systems, and firewalls. Computers are not my jam. I wish we had more in common like Eoghan and Jillian, who are both lawyers. I’ve learned that each of his brothers’ wives is very different from their husbands.

That tightens my throat. Will I be forced to marry Balor? All his brothers have babies, and two wives are pregnant. Is that how those marriages went down?

“Where are you going exactly?” I ask my dad and shove everything else out of my head.

“Tokyo.”

I go breathless at how far away he’ll be. We’ve onlybeen apart a few days here and there since we went to Sydney.

“How long will you be gone?” I ask.

“I am not sure. Depends on my progress. Two weeks, at least.”

My stomach flips at the idea of being alone for so long...

Wait, I won’t be alone.

Did Balor plan this on purpose?

“What are you doing there?” I fold my arms.

His eyes narrow on me as he hesitates. “I am not sure what I can reveal.”

“I work for Balor, too.”

“As his assistant.” Dad won’t be happy that I took the part-time job at the school because that’s where I met Wes, and Dad thinks he’ll go looking for me there.

But he hasn’t.

Dad would prefer I organize Balor’s closet all day. The assistant job was always supposed to be temporary. Dad knew all along I wanted to teach again next fall.

“Dad, are you telling me everything?” I argue, even though I’m keeping the job at Fredricks a secret. “What’s going on?”

Over dinner, he used to clamor on about his projects at the bank. A bank isn’t the mafia. Perhaps, he’s protecting me.

“Let me clear what I can tell you with Balor.”

“Never mind.” I wave my hand. “When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow night.”

I go breathless. “Oh, that’s very little notice.”

“Do not worry, my Ella. This building is secure. You promise me you will take Ubers and not the subways or walk too far on your own?”

“Dad, I’ve not heard from Wes. It’s been more than eight months.”

His shoulders relax. “Good.“

I’m emotionally scarred from that relationship. Bad memories of him beating me flash back sometimes, but I don’t feel like I’m in danger anymore.

Two weeks without my dad watching over me means I can spend more time with Balor.

Wereallyneed to get to know each other better. I’m having his baby.

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