Page 36 of Heroes & Hitmen
My father’s attention swings back to me, razor sharp. “Is that true, Miles?”
The question scrapes down my spine like claws, and I’m not sure which terrifies me more– admitting the truth or playing along with the lie.
It’s a good thing I’ve had years of practice at shoving back my emotions and keeping my composure. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth as I force my features to remain impassive, revealing no trace of my inner panic. My entire body is thrumming with adrenaline, every instinct screaming to run, but I stay still, exhaling a slow breath. Because the only way out of this–ifthere’s a way out–is to let the lie live.
Lie, and maybe survive this night.
Tell the truth, and we both burn.
I glance over at Ares to find him grinning at me like an idiot, despite the fact he just signed his own death warrant. It’s fitting that he’s named after the Greek god of war since this lie could start one.
I turn back to Alpha and dip my chin in a nod, sealing my damnation.
His expression hardens, the muscle in his tightly clenched jaw ticking. “Then why didn’t you answer your phone?” he probes.
My stomach flip-flops.
“She left it in her car by mistake,” Ares answers before I can fumble it, his tone so casual it borders on audacious. “We were actually just grabbing it when you pulled up. I don’t have your direct number, and Miley insisted we discuss this with you first, given the circumstances.” He flickers me a sideways glance, then returns his gaze to my father, doubling down. “I understand that some sort of deal was made for her to be mated to someone else, but no Alpha can deny fate, right?”
Damn, he’s good.
A littletoogood.
Alpha stares between us for a long moment, considering.
I hold my breath.
Then he nods once, clipped and cold. “This is a surprise, but it’s a happy one,” Alpha says with the kind of fake sincerity that makes my skin crawl. “It’s been a long time since fate showed favor on our pack, it’ll boost morale for them to hear that one of my daughters was blessed with a fated mate.”
Of course he’d spin this in his favor.
I almost want to laugh, because it’s all so damn absurd. The lie, the fact that my father’s actually buying it, the fact that I’m playing along as if this all isn’t going to come crashing down in spectacular fashion.
“I’m sure you’ll want to share an apartment, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for Miles to reside on your floor with the pack enforcers or you on her floor with my other daughters,” Alpha tells Ares with a tight, performative smile. “Meet me in my office in ten minutes and I’ll get you the keys to one on the fiftieth that’s move-in ready.”
“That’s very accommodating,” Ares drawls, grinning back at him.
My head whips in his direction. This wasn’t part of the script. Not that therewasa script.
Alpha steps back, nodding like a king bestowing a blessing. “I’ll announce it to the pack tomorrow, and we’ll have the official ceremony next full moon.”
Shit.
The ceremony.
“Looking forward to it,” Ares replies.
My breathing stalls, heart sprinting, mind racing.
Alpha turns on a heel, boots clomping against the cement as he heads for the elevator bank, dismissing his driver with a wave along the way. The SUV shifts into gear, slowly rolling away. I watch after my father with a mix of dread and trepidation, wondering how the hell I’m going to un-ring this bell.
Ares might’ve thought he was saving me with this lie, but instead, he’s damned us both. Because when we’re discovered– and wewillbe– the consequences will be cataclysmic.
The elevator doors slide open with its arrival and my father steps inside, the doors closing behind him a moment later. An eerie silence falls over everything, the garage echoing with the sudden absence of tension.
I step in front of Ares.
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” I hiss, the low pitch of my voice barely muffling my rising panic. My eyes are thrown wide, chest heaving, adrenaline still sparking like live wires under my skin.
