Different

81.

I'm quiet for a few seconds, trying to process what Jace is telling me. I scoff, doubting my ability to read people. "So basically, I've been lied to my whole life" I say, not able to believe that I didn't know.

Jace notices I'm getting agitated right away. "I'm not trying to talk shit about your father, Mila. I'm just trying to be honest with you" he tells me, coming closer to pull me in.

"I know, I'm not mad at you. I just can't believe it really" I tell him. "So, he sells harder drugs too?" I ask him.

Jace nods once again. "Yeah, like I said, he's one of the biggest suppliers. If you ask me, he probably washes his cash through his legal weed farms all over California" he tells me.

"How has he not gotten caught, if apparently he's known all over the West Coast?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. My throat feels tight, but I try to push it to the back of my head. 

Jace sighs once more. "He's dangerous, Mila. Him and his people are not just known, they're feared" he says, and I scoff for the second time today.

"This just keeps on getting better" I say, feeling like I'm close to tears already.

"It's not like they're walking around fucking killing people, Mila. But they definitely know how to throw around threats when necessary. I guess you could say he's the bosses boss" Jace explains further. Good to know my Dad's not a murderer, at least.

"So, he's your boss too?" I ask Jace, trying not to put him into a bad light.

He shrugs his shoulders back at me. "I guess you could say so. There's this whole hierarchy thing, you wouldn't understand" he says, and I notice straight away that he doesn't want to elaborate. 

I wouldn't understand. Maybe he's right about that, but also I don't want to understand. I want nothing to do with any of this. I walk around Jace to unlock the bathroom door, ready to head back outside. I can feel a headache coming, and I don't want it to turn into aura migraines from all the stress.

"Well... first I find out that my sister's moving, and then suddenly my Dad's a drug lord. I think I've had enough for today" I say, before letting out another long sigh.

"I'm sorry baby" Jace says, kissing my head in the process.

"Either way, thanks for telling me" I say, trying to smile at him gratefully. I don't want to act cold towards him, but it's hard for me to just switch the anger off.  We walk out of the bathroom and around the corner. I want to help mom cleaning up, since the whole mess was made just for me. Before we reach the kitchen, we're blocked by my father standing in the hallway with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Whatever the two of your were talking about, I think it's a conversation I should be a part of" he says towards us. I notice the authority in his voice, and I wonder if this is how he speaks to his little henchmen.

"I'll let the two of you talk" Jace says, giving us some privacy. He disappears in the kitchen seconds after. I'm not looking forward to this conversation. 

"Jace already told me everything, I don't think there's much to say" I tell him honestly. I copy my Dad by crossing my arms over my chest, just like him. 

"Mila, you're my daughter. Do you really I think I'd ever do something that could hurt you or your sister?" he says, softening his stare towards me. 

"You mean like lying to us our whole lives?" I say, scoffing once again. 

"Why do you think I lied, Mila? I'm trying to keep you safe, but I see that a certain someone already made sure to make you a part of this" he says, his eyes turning dark again.

"This is not about him, Dad. Keep him out of it" I say sternly.

"All that I'm doing, all the shit I do, is to make sure you and your sister can have the best possible lives. All that the two of you always wanted, I made sure you had it. So don't make me out to be some horrible person for it, I'm still your father and you're going to show me the respect I deserve" he says, clearly not liking the way I'm speaking to him. 

I can't believe he's angry at me for being mad about the fact that I don't even know how he is anymore. I'm close to tears, but I don't want him to see me cry.

"What do you want me to do then? Just pretend that I don't know people all over the West Coast are in fear of my own father? Because I can't. And clearly, I don't want to" I tell him, done with this conversation.

"Of course not. I'll give you some time to process this. I know you don't like me much right now, but at least accept my gift" he says, handing me a pretty thick envelope. I grab it from his hands, and take a look inside. I don't know how much cash is in there, but I'm guessing it's around two thousand dollars. 

Shaking my head slightly, I return the envelope back to him. "Wherever this money's coming from, I don't want it" I say, before walking past him. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but like he said; I need to process first, just like I did with Jace. 

"Jace is a dealer, and you live with that everyday. Maybe you can learn to live with the fact that I do the same" Dad says, and I know that he's right immediately.

"Maybe. Either way, thank you for coming" I say cold, but still meaning it in a way. "I won't tell Ava, but I think you should" I add, before disappearing through the living room, to head inside the kitchen.

I walk in, seeing Jace with a kitchen towel over his shoulder, laughing with my mom. My mood lightens straight away, when I see the two of them getting along so well. The kitchen looks spotless.

"You two cleaned up already?" I ask surprised, feeling bad that I wasn't able to help.

"Yes honey. I'm glad you got to enjoy the time with your father. Thank you, Jace" she says with one hand on his shoulder, before walking back outside.

"Yeah, thank you. I mean it" I say, walking over to embrace him. 

"How did the talk go then?" he asks me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with his finger.

"He just... tried to explain and offered me a handful of his washed cash" I say, trying to sum our conversation up.

"I know this is hard for you, but he's still your Dad, Mila. Maybe you can forgive him, like you forgave me" Jace says, trying to defend him a little.

"Yeah, maybe" I say, wanting to push everything that happened out of my head.

"Hey, this is your day. Just try to look forward to tonight" he says, before pulling me closer into him. "Especially the part when we get home" he adds quietly. His deep voice is sending shivers down my spine. A cheeky little smirk is forming on his face, and I have to smile back at him. I appreciate that he's trying to lighten my mood. I sigh before leaning myself onto him, stroking over his arm. Instant comfort comes over me when I read his tattoo. always, I'll care. For some reason, it makes me feel peace, and I wonder if I'll ever get a tattoo for Jace, that means just as much to him as this one does to me. 

"I'm exhausted. Will you take me home?" I ask him, when I come back to reality.

"Of course" he answers with another kiss to my forehead. Once again, I thank my mom for everything that she did for me, and say goodbye to both her and my sister. Ava promises me to come see me before she officially moves, and I'm happy to invite her into Jace's and my home. Soon after, we arrive in the car, and I'm happy for a little peace and quiet.

"Just a quick disclaimer, I plan on getting drunk tonight" I tell him, wanting to forget that today even happened. Jace quickly chuckles at me, before starting the engine and taking us home.

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What happens tonight?

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