His Mafia Prince
Chapter 163: Take Your Time

Chapter 163: Take Your Time

(WESLEY)

"I usually find some parts of the family business boring." He says as he examines his glossy manicured nails."

"Really?" I frown. "What do you prefer doing instead?"

"Anything apart from doing anything mafia." He looks up. "Beating or torturing someone because they stole from us doesn’t sit right with me. I’d rather read or so some art instead of indulging in such thuggish behavior."

"Actually, I’m surprised to hear you say that."

"Why? You assume that everybody in the mafia is violent?" he shakes his head. "Well, my brother lives for the violence. I don’t though. I hate it."

Much as I agree with his take about the mafia, I find him being this open with me unsettling. We don’t know each other at all. And I don’t want him to regret opening up to me like this. I don’t want him to think that he needs to shut me up. "Well, all families have disagreements among them." I say brightly.

"I guess." I shrug.

"Plus, Aral has a lot to tend to. His hands are gull with this little one. Maybe he could use some help." I smile at baby Reign.

"You think so?" Jericho asks, inching closer to me while smiling at the baby in my arms. "Hey there, baby Reign, do you remember your favorite uncle?" he leans closer to the baby and his citrus cologne mixed with his scent fills my nose.

I will myself to not stare at Jericho but I can’t. He is mesmerizing. I like how flawless his skin is and how his dark lashes flutter against his cheeks. He glances up and I notice that his eyes are a lavender shade of blue. My pulse goes haywire when our eyes meet. The effect Jericho has on me has me borderline embarrassed. It seems to be an instinctive reaction that I have no control over.

"He’s cute." He says as he glances at the baby again. He then flicks up his eyes to mine and our gazes meet. A little smile hovers on his lips. "Distractingly cute." He says as he runs his gaze over my face."

The way he is blatantly flirting with me makes my face warm. It doesn’t come as a surprise however that he is being openly flirty. Alphas seem to not mind flirting with omegas. I get attention often enough from alphas that I know how to handle myself. But it has always been my rule to not fall with anyone that I work for., or get involved with any of their families. And my current position working with members affiliated in the syndicate doesn’t exactly make that easy. I need to follow the rule more strictly.

Therefore, I decide that the best course of action is to pretend that I have no idea that Jericho is flirting with me. "Yeah, baby Reign is cute." I say cheerfully as I clear my throat. "Do you want to hold him?"

Alphas tend to get intimidated by holding newborns. I’m fully expecting Jericho to start making up excuses about why he can’t hold the baby or how he can’t stay in the room. But instead, Jericho seems to welcome the idea. He actually looks ecstatic at the offer.

"Of course," he says, taking the infant from me with no hesitation. He is careful to support the baby’s head. He looks delighted as he smiles at the baby. "Hey buddy, don’t grow this fast. You’ve gotten bigger since I last saw you at the hospital."

I try to stifle it, but my heart flutters a little as I watch how Jericho interacts with the baby naturally. I barely see alphas that are close to newborns even if it is their own. Most of them tend to be great with newborns once they are a bit grown. But when they are still young, they tend to intimidate the alphas. It baffles me how Jericho is thrilled to hold baby Reign.

My lips break into a smile as I watch them. "You are good with him."

Jericho shrugs. "I’m a natural these days. I watch my brother’s babies all the time."

"You do?" I say with an obvious surprise in my voice."

"Of course. When I first began, I didn’t even know how to hold a baby. I almost peed my pants as soon as they began to cry. But now, it’s no big deal." He grins.

"Well, that’s great. Honestly, you look more relaxed than most alphas."

He beams a smile at me, looking flattered. "Thanks. I love babies. My friends think that I’m weird, liking babies that aren’t mine. But that just makes me think that they are the weirdos. Kids are amazing."

"I know." I smile and our gazes meet. Once again, my stomach does that weird somersault thing. My reaction towards him disconcerts me and I look away. I don’t want anything to encourage him or give him even the slightest idea that would make him think that I’m interested in him. That would be disastrous, especially since he is already flirting with me so openly. Being in Miles’ home already puts me under the radar. I shouldn’t try to hook up with anyone.

"Uhm, from the conversation you were having with baby Reign, I assume that you wanted to take a shower?" he asks, watching me intently.

"You heard that too?" I ask, amused. How long was this guy watching me?" I try to remember all the things that I said earlier that he may have heard and the things that I might have done. I hope that I didn’t say anything that might compromise me.

"Yeah," he says with a suggestive grin on his face like he is stifling a smile. "Uhm...you also said something about you smelling like a buffalo? I also enjoyed the dance and some little song about sea creatures."

"Oh my God, that’s humiliating." I groan. "1 thought it was just me and baby Reign in here."

"I assumed as much." I notice how his gaze roams mostly on my naked body. "Seeing as you are only wearing those skimpy boxers.

I want to cover my body like I’m blushing or something but I resist the urge. My face feels hot and I am only hoping that my cheeks aren’t pink. "The baby already woke up, so I guess I’ll take a shower later."

"W...what? No." I lift my brows. "I can’t ask you to do that for me.",

"No, you are not asking. I’m offering to do that. I’m serious by the way. Go take a shower." He says. "I’ll watch the baby."

"B...but I can’t just can’t shove the baby on you."

"Shove baby Reign on you?" He presses a light kiss on the baby’s cheek. "No, I like him, and he adores me."

The baby sure seems comfortable with Jericho. Even then, it feels wrong to just impose my duty on him. "1ts alright. I can handle him." I say.

"Why are you being obstinate?" Jericho asks, looking mildly annoyed.

"I’m not being obstinate. It’s just that it seems wrong to hand you the baby." I rub the back of my neck, snickering uneasily. "I’m the one who’s supposed to watch the baby. Not you."

"And I’m telling you that I’m okay watching him. The baby doesn’t mind either." He says. "Here, let me ask him." He turns to the baby. "Look, baby, do you want uncle Jer to sit with you while―" he frowns and looks at me. "I don’t know your name."

"Oh, uh... it’s Wesley."

He nods then turns to address the baby again. "Do you want uncle Jericho to watch you while Wesley takes a shower? Huh?" the baby kicks his legs excitedly and drools. "I’m positive that was a yes." Jericho laughs.

His laugh is warm and husky. Once again, my chest tightens as our gazes meet. I pull my gaze away and turn back on him. "1 still don’t know, but it feels weird to make you do that."

"Come on. Wesley. How many times do I have to tell you that I’m okay watching baby Reign?" he frowns. "Is it that you don’t trust me or what??"

"Well," I hesitate. "I don’t really know you. How can I know if I can trust you or not?"

"Fair." His expression suddenly becomes serious. "I’m a guest at Miles’ home. Do you think he would let me stay here if he thought that 1 was a danger to his child? No alpha would do that. Plus, I would never hurt a baby."

He sounds so sincere that it is almost impossible to not believe him. There is something fierce in his voice, yet, he still sounds so gentle. My instincts tell me that he would do just about anything to protect baby Reign. "Are you sure that it isn’t that much of a bother?"

"I’m positive." I say.

I grimace. "Okay, then maybe I will take you up on your offer?" I say, smiling faintly. "Thank you. Jericho."

"My pleasure." He dips his head.

"I’ll make it quick." I say as I grab my shirt and a pair of jeans out the dresser. Part of me feels guilty at taking advantage of his offer, but I desperately need a good shower. I’ve been so busy with the baby, trying to support Arlo that I have let my needs fall aside.

"Take your time." He says, sitting on the edge of the bed. "We’ll be here waiting for you."

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