Page 26 of Orlando
“It’s not supposed to be.I’m going to tell you something, but you need to keep this a secret from everyone, including Dad.”
“If you’re in danger, I have to tell your father.”
“You don’t have to do anything.Mom, please.I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.You could get both of us in trouble.”
After a few seconds, she sighed.“Fine, but know that I don’t like lying to your father.”
“You won’t be lying to him.”
“Lying by omission is still lying.Now tell me what’s going on.”
“Someone wants another Liam Portman dead, and they mistook me for him.I was attacked while at the community garden, and my mate saved me.”
“They made a mistake?Does that mean you’re safe now?”
“Not exactly.Orlando needs to convince the people who hired this professional killer that there’s been a mistake, but he’s not sure how to reach them.I’m staying in his apartment at the moment.”
“But you’re safe, right?”
“As safe as I can be with someone who trained to be a professional killer protecting me.”
“Please tell me you’re not talking about your mate.”
“Fine.I won’t tell you that I’m talking about Orlando.”
“Orlando?Is that his name?”
Orlando’s name sounded weird coming from Liam’s mother.Eventually, these two sides of Liam’s lives would blend, and it would stop being odd, but they had a long road ahead of them before that could happen.“It is.He’s a jaguar shifter, and he used to work for the council.”
“You said he was trained to be a professional killer.”
“He was.I know this sounds unbelievable, but I promise I’m not lying.”
“I never thought you were.How do you feel about your mate being trained to kill people?”
Of course Liam’s mother knew what his problem was with this whole thing.“It makes me uncomfortable.”
“But you’ll still give him a chance?”
“I think I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t.I just don’t know if I can do it.”
“Well, you don’t have to know right now.You promise that you’re safe?I’d suggest calling the police, but something tells me your answer would be no.”
“Orlando has connections.”
“That makes him sound like he’s in the mafia instead of a professional killer.Are yousureyou’re safe?Because I don’t care who’s coming after you.They’re going to have to go through me if they want to hurt you.”
Liam could only imagine his mother fighting Cynthia.“I’m as safe as I can be considering the circumstances.I don’t want you to worry.”
“How am I supposed not to worry?You just told me someone was trying to kill you.”
“I also told you that I have everything under control.Well, Orlando does.”
“He might be your mate, but I don’t know him.I don’t know if I can trust him.”
“He’s my mate.”
“That’s good enough for you to trust him, but I’m your mother.The only person I fully trust with you is your father, and I have my doubts about him, too.He lost you at the mall too many times.”She sighed.“I don’t like any of this, but I’ll do what you want me to do.I want you to be safe.Maybe you could take a vacation somewhere.”
