Milo

Chapter III: He's White

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          It was the middle of the night when I shot awake. Something wasn't right. I checked the digital clock on the side of my bed, its red numbers casting a dim light throughout the room. It was three in the morning and everything seemed to be in place. Milo was lying asleep in the queen bed next to mine, his small body covered in blankets. 

          I tiredly reached onto the bedside table and grabbed the burner phone I bought at a rest stop in Ohio. I typed on it nervously, waiting for the slow phone's internet to load. There was no amber alert insight. I let out a slow breath, my shoulders un-tensing. Even then, I couldn't fall asleep. The silence was somehow too loud and the darkness only made my anxiety grow.

         As if I hadn't suffered enough anxiety there was a knock at the door.

         Fuck.

         My heartbeat sped up. My lungs jumping to the edge of hyperventilation. I stayed still in the bed, my body frozen. Soon the only sound in the room was the soft breaths coming from Milo. When the knock sounded again I knew there was nothing I could do. The knock was a specific rhythm, the one I used when I entered Farrah's car garage, the one I had used many times in my career as a low-level thief.

         I crept out of the bed, my legs shaking. When I reached the door I let out my fear in the form of an exhale. I would do what was necessary to keep Milo safe, he had been through enough. 

         Looking through the peephole I saw what could be described as my worst fear. 

        Santiago Vicario.

        Behind him were his usual guards, Qiang and Luciano. Qiang had her usual bored expression and Luciano had a subtle smile. Though, it didn't make me comfortable in the slightest. Lastly, Santiago, his light green eyes were locked with mine, though he had no factual knowledge that I was there. I opened the door ignoring the fear that was coursing through my body.

         "Don't look so fearful, I'm not here to hurt you." Santiago's low voice spoke, moving forward to step into the room. 

         I looked up at him, making eye contact. I shook my head softly giving a slight warning. Anxiety was growing in my body just at his presence. Seeing him face to face after so long wasn't exactly settling. He ignored my warning, stepping forward into the room. Immediately I stepped back, trying to keep a distance between us.

         He walked to stand in front of me and as expected his guards followed. Luciano closed the door, walked to a tall lamp, and clicked it on. Quiet noise emitted throughout the quiet and tense room. I sighed, walking to Milo who had just woken up. His eyes were wide, full of fear. I kneeled in front of his bed and rubbed his back. 

         "It's okay, alright?" I whispered, proceeding to sit on the bed and pull him onto my lap.

         "Is he yours?" Santiago asked and sat down on the couch near the door. His guards moved to stand behind him.

         "He's white and has blue eyes. I don't think he could be mine." I deadpanned, referring to my brown skin and brown eyes. I would've laughed if the situation wasn't as dangerous as it was.

         Santiago laughed lowly. "Judging from the fact that your apartment was empty, and your phone was disposed of, you're on the run. So what did you do? Kidnap him?" 

         I stayed silent, tightening my left arm around Milo. Milo was playing with the fingers of my right. 

         Santiago sighed. "What was your plan, then?" 

         "I- I was on my way to Kansas. I know a gang there. I was going to offer anything I could for immunity." I averted my eyes from his in shame.

         "Anything?" His jaw clenched, the word gritting out. 

         I lowered my head. I was aware that my body could be put on the line to offer me protection. It was something I had to consider at a very dark place in my life. I was simply lucky that I found my talent of stealing cars as early as I did. 

         "I can be a better parent than his were. I know I can." My voice was quiet but my conviction was clear.

         "I offer you immunity. Why were you planning on risking your wellbeing?" Santiago leaned forward and placed his chin in his hand.

         He was speaking as if it was a no brainer. The stare I gave him was one of disbelief. I never knew Mr. Vicario as a particularly kind man. In reality, I saw him as someone ruthless, someone who hated any situation that disadvantaged him in the slightest. About a year ago a couple of his guards went missing after making a mistake on a drug deal. To this day, no one knows what happened to them.

         "You offer me legal immunity for stealing cars, not kidnapping a child. I was using my simple skill of self-preservation in my decision to not tell you." I spoke quietly. My eyes trailed to the gun on his waistband, a sliver of matte metal peeking through. I pulled Milo even closer to me as warning signs blared in my head. Santiago followed my eyes, a small sigh falling from his lips.

         "I'm not going to hurt you, either of you." He put his hands up in surrender.

         I stared at him, still not relaxed in the slightest.

         "I'm here to help you. I can offer you immunity and a place to stay. I can make sure that the police stay away from the general area until we get the situation settled. How does that sound?" He offered.

         "At what cost?" My eyes burned into his.

         "A favor. Nothing bad, I can give you my word. You're a good employee, it would be a shame to let you make a bad decision that could affect both you and him." He gestured towards Milo, the boy shrinking at his gaze.

          I thought over his words. There was some truth to them, but also a dangerous level of uncertainty. It was true, going back to Wichita wasn't particularly positive it was simply necessary. But Santiago Vicario wasn't exactly a man you could trust. Most likely it would bite me in the ass, but all in all the offer was better, for Milo. And Milo was the only reason I was doing any of this. 

            "I will agree. But only if you promise not to hurt Milo." My voice cracked due to my desperation. "I mean it."

            "I promise." He raised his hands in surrender. 

             Then he gave me a charming smile, one that made my stomach twist with nervousness. His guards stood still with blank facial expressions, looking unaffected by the conversation. Milo stopped playing with my fingers, his head leaning against me tiredly. I brushed his hair lightly, my eyes still locked with Santiago's. Unsaid words tense in the air, mixed with new promises. Promises that I could only hope weren't broken.

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authors note: santi has been introduced! do you guys trust him? :)