Jen refuses and instead leads me outside. I wait in the car while she exchanges a few words with the Slades.
Honestly, I just couldn’t wait to be miles away from here.
It’s for the best anyway. You’re always going to be the outsider, so what difference does it make?
Ryker just said what everyone else is already thinking.
I’m not going to stick around to have the rest of them take shots at me too.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Jen says, getting into the driver’s seat.
“Nothing to talk about,” I reply, gruffly. “I’m sorry about snapping at you earlier, but it’s better if we don’t talk about it.”
“You’re a Slade. That’s got to—”
“I’m not a Slade.” I give Jen a withering look before glancing away again. “I’m a McCray. There’s nothing else to discuss.”
Chapter 8: Collide
Jen
One and a half week later
“Idon’t know, Si. He’s spent the entire last week obsessing over the mission. I can hear him on the phone late into the night. How are things on your end?”
“Everyone is stunned. Miles got in touch with Matthew’s mom, and she confirmed it.”
I blow out a breath and stare at my bedroom door. “Is Ryker still asking for a paternity test?”
“Yeah, but Bennett also told me that Matthew’s mom got in touch with Matthew and his dad and told him that she’s the one who kept her pregnancy a secret from Miles.”
“That’s a lot to unpack. I don’t know what to tell him,” I whisper, pausing to run a hand through my hair. “What do you tell a guy who doesn’t want to acknowledge his family that he has to keep them close for the sake of his job?”
“He’ll talk when he’s ready, I guess,” Simone replies. “Is it a good idea for him to continue to be your handler though? Shouldn’t you get someone else?”
“I don’t trust anyone else,” I tell her, with a shake of my head. “Besides, Matthew has had my back from the beginning, and he is a good agent who wants to prove himself.”
It has nothing to do with the intense kiss we shared a lifetime ago, the one that still makes my head spin and makes my skin tingle when I think about it.
Or that’s what I keep telling myself.
As crazy as it is for him to find out he’s related to the Slades, I know he’s not going to let it get in the way. Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen how dedicated and serious Matthew is about the entire mission. He has made it his life’s mission to make sure I’m staying safe while extracting as much information as possible.
Knowing Matthew has my back helps, especially with Travis sniffing around, hovering over my shoulders and breathing down my neck the entire time I’m undercover.
Having him watch my every move is a little unsettling, but I knew it was coming.
And I’ve only been able to elude him by remaining coy and elusive.
But I know it can’t last for long.
Travis isn’t a patient man. He is the kind of man who likes results, and I’m sure keeping an eye on my every move isn’t high on his list of activities.
At least I’m not alone in all of this.
Don’t mess this up and don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. Whatever issues Matthew has with the Slades, he’ll figure it out in his own time. Your mission is to keep Simone and the others safe.
Getting my revenge on the mob is an unexpected bonus.