Chapter 7 - Old acquaintances

***Megan's POV***

As usual, I slipped into my disguise for mafia-related business: a black catsuit and thigh-high stiletto boots, pulling on my black veil.

I descended the mini stairs in the back of the children’s room—stairs no one would ever suspect led anywhere serious. I punched an invisible button on the high end of the wall, and an underground route opened. Below, an underground garage was filled with all types of bikes from around the world. I stepped into my favorite one, which I called the Ravenclaw, sleek and black like a predator at night, just like me.

I zoomed off in one go, the engine roaring behind me.

An hour later, I arrived at the warehouse, and of course, Kai’s bike, Viper, was already parked in the garage, indicating he was inside.

I pushed open the large warehouse doors and almost caught Kai’s men off guard. The ones on alert had already pulled out their pistols, pointing them at the open door.

I stepped in proudly, and they lowered their weapons when they realized it was just me.

“Hold fire!” Anton, Kai’s right-hand man, hissed as he stepped down from the stairs. “Welcome, Lady M.”

I walked into the building, glaring at each man as they bowed their heads. They feared and revered me, and I, in turn, enjoyed their respect, even if I never showed it.

“Next time,” I glared, “think before you aim. I’d hate to stain my boots with your brain matter.”

“Apologies, boss.”

“No disrespect,” the men muttered.

Anton stepped forward, bowing his head slightly. “Forgive the boys, Lady M. We weren’t expecting company.”

“Apology accepted. Back to work,” I motioned to the men, then turned to Anton. “Where’s the boss?”

“In his office.”

I nodded and climbed the stairs that led to Kai’s office while the men returned to their tasks, Anton barking orders at them.

After ringing Kai’s doorbell once, the doors opened immediately. I walked in, my eyes landing on the lady who was sitting with her back to the door. My mind raced through many reasons why Kai would bring the caretaker into the warehouse, but I trusted his judgment.

He rose to his feet when he saw me.

“M, you arrived just in time. Meet the caretaker.”

The lady stood and turned to face me, and my eyes widened under the veil in shock. The caretaker was none other than Katie, my helper back at Joe’s place.

I held back a gasp and smirked at Kai. “You always leave me astonished each time, boss.”

“It’s a trademark,” he smirked back.

“Katie, meet your new boss.”

“Hi, lady…”

I sighed and took off my veil. “Hi, Katie.”

“Ms!” She sprinted toward me but then held back. I smirked and opened my arms wide; she ran into my embrace, then stepped back, staring at me in amazement.

“I can’t believe this, Ms. Meg.”

“That’s right.”

“You look so… different, and gorgeous yet so… fierce,” she whispered. “I’m so happy you’re alive.”

“Why, did Joe publish that I was dead?”

She shook her head, closing her mouth in shock. “Wow.”

“Come on, let’s sit and catch up; it’s been so long.” My eyes felt teary, but I tried my best to hold back the tears.

Kai excused himself like a gentleman, hinting that he would be back in an hour to discuss business.

******

An hour later, Katie and I were laughing and drinking wine when Kai finally walked in.

“Time for business, ladies,” he said, addressing us as he took a seat and pulled out some documents.

“So, Katie, you’ll be starting a new job as Ethan and Cole’s caretaker, and you’ll need to move in with Meg here at her place. You must remain discreet about this job; no one must know you’re working with her.”

Katie mimed locking her lips. “My lips are sealed.”

“They have to be, or you know what my men can do,” Kai chuckled, but I knew that wasn’t a joke. Kai didn’t play around when it came to Ethan and Cole. Even though we trusted Katie, he wouldn’t spare her if she betrayed us. I shook my head at him, signaling that he shouldn’t joke like that.

“So, Katie, any questions?”

“Yes… when can I see my little ones?”

We both chuckled.

“You can start work now if you’re ready, or tomorrow, and then you can meet them.”

“I’m ready; my things are packed.”

I smiled and turned to Kai. “Can you have Anton prepare us a ride? I’ll drive.”

He nodded and punched his keys on the desktop in front of him.

When I rode my bike here, it was with the intention of rejecting whoever Kai had prepared. No matter how much I trusted him, I couldn’t allow a stranger who knew about both my private and mafia life to take care of my kids. That would be putting them in danger. But with Katie, I felt assured and safe for the first time in a long while. I finally had someone from my past who shared my experiences and truly understood what I had gone through.

It felt surreal to see her again; I had searched everywhere for her as soon as I landed, and somehow, Kai found her right away.

While catching up, she admitted she had left weeks after I did. Joe had surprisingly searched all over for me. He had turned into an even fiercer beast, becoming more reckless than ever. Then he engaged Miranda, only to cheat on her like the jerk he had always been.

It was no surprise he did that to her; after all, she was one of his many women.

What annoyed me was that he used my departure as an excuse to become even more reckless, hurting those around him.

I hated him even more.

As Katie and I made our way back home through a normal route, I couldn’t help but wonder why he suddenly cared. I guess the saying goes, “You never know the value of what you had until you lose it,” whatever that means.

What Katie didn’t know was that the kids were his. I couldn’t let anyone know about their true paternity— not now, nor ever. I never wanted Joe or anyone related to him in their lives.

I was going to protect them at any cost.