Cruel Lies - Ella Miles Page 0,13
the safer they’ll be.”
I hate asking. They all have kids that this could be putting at risk as well.
“Done.”
I exhale sharply after holding my breath, waiting for her answer.
“We all have kids. We know how terrifying it can be to be worried about your children. Don’t worry about what was said or done before. When it comes to our kids, we will always protect them.”
“He told you then?”
“That Atlas is your son? Yes. He told us, but I’ve always suspected.”
“Thank you,” I say before we hang up.
I hear voices and the opening of a car door. It’s safe to go back into the house now and hide until they are gone. Saying goodbye as my son is driven away is not the way I should meet him. I haven’t earned the right to meet him, not until I know he’s safe from this world forever.
But I can’t fight the pull. Maybe I’m not as strong as I think? Or maybe I just love my son more than I care about Langston?
I walk up the side of the house, following the sound of the sweet little voices. One is thrilled about the new adventure she’s going on. The other concerned and dubious of why the adventure is being sprung on them.
I force my feet to stop when I get to the side of the house, where a row of bushes gives me a spot to hide. I crouch down, blending with the greenery.
And then I look through the branches and leaves.
I see a scrawny fair-haired girl in a pink dinosaur shirt, black shorts, and sparkly shoes. She has a black bandana in her hair, and she’s talking Langston’s head off about how he has to promise he’ll be coming with on the next adventure.
He promises.
I smile. She has him so wrapped around her little finger. He gives her a tight hug, and I see how clearly her hair color matches his. She didn’t get her coloring from her mother unless Phoenix’s darker hair is dyed that way. She moves to hug Phoenix next while Langston moves to Atlas.
His hair is much darker, and he’s more reserved. He doesn’t say much. I find myself afraid that Langston is going to behave differently toward him since he’s not his biological son, but he kneels down in front of him in the same way he did to Rose.
“Keep Rose out of trouble for me, okay?”
“I promise.”
He wraps Atlas in a hug and then whispers something into his ear that makes him smile.
I gasp when I see Atlas’ eyes and smile. There is no doubt in my mind that he’s my son and that Langston loves him as his own. My only role in my child’s life is to ensure that he’s safe. I don’t get to know him—that will only bring more danger into his life.
Phoenix is his mother.
Langston is his father.
And I, I’m his protector.
6
Langston
I plant my feet firmly on the ground on my driveway as I watch Beckett drive away with my kids in the backseat. Every instinct in my body tells me to run after them. I’m their protector. I’m supposed to keep them safe. I need to be with them.
My feet don’t move, though. The weight of the world is the only thing keeping me from running after Beckett’s bulletproof SUV. The only way to protect them is to get the damn treasure and destroy our enemies. If they stay with me, they will be a target.
So I let them go, even though I physically feel pain letting them out of my sight. Even though I trust Beckett. Even though I know the rest of the Black empire—Enzo, Kai, Siren, and Zeke—will protect them. We would all lay down our lives to protect the kids.
I turn around just as the SUV turns a corner and escapes from sight.
Liesel.
She’s standing on the side of the house.
I smile—she couldn’t help herself. She took a peek at the kids.
I wish she had done more, met them, but that’s her decision. The monster inside me isn’t satisfied with that, though. I can forgive Liesel for a lot of things, but not when it comes to her child.
She looks back to the house and walks over to where Phoenix and I stand.
“We should go now,” Liesel says. She rushes toward the car in the garage.
Phoenix and I exchange glances before we follow her to the car. I sit in the driver’s seat, Phoenix next to me, and Liesel behind me. Phoenix tosses Liesel a change