Jake should have known that the message his cousin sent earlier would be synonymous with trouble. Just one line and Jake already imagined the worst-case scenario.
"My uncles are meeting with a politician nearby".
That's exactly why Jake asked his friends to keep Nathaniel company. Although he should have remembered that when it comes to his family, not even his protection would be enough.
However, Jake didn't imagine that his mother would appear in that diner and sit in front of him watching Nathaniel from top to bottom. His mother was always a stylish woman who hid her true feelings behind a mask, but Jake knew that she should be repudiating the fact of being in such a place and seeing her own son hugged by another man.
— So, what do I owe the honor of your appearance, mom?
Renata Mckenzie left her purse on her lap and crossed her arms over the table, directing her clear eyes to Nathaniel.
— I learned that you became close to the Ares' lover. So I decided to take the opportunity to meet him.
Jake clenched his wrists in anger. She quoted Ares purposely and, on top of that, seemed interested in approaching him. By the corner of his eye, the alpha made sure that Nathaniel was all right, and was surprised to see his eyes were cold and his face unexpressive.
— That scar on your face, it must have gotten it in that accident, right?
— That's right — Nathaniel replied calmly.
— It's a pity that this spoils the beautiful face you have. A boy so handsome...
— Mom, whatever you're up to is better stop.
— I'm being honest about your friend being handsome.
— He's not my friend, he's my boyfriend. My omega.
That phrase said by Jake made Renata Mckenzie look at him coldly. She was angry that he confirmed his relationship with Nathaniel in front of everyone.
— Jake, I thought you had passed your rebellious phase and stopped with this whole dating omegas thing.
— I'm not being rebellious, it's just a fact.
— Can I turn a blind eye to your attitude — She mentioned touching Bianca's shoulder — Look, it is normal for some couples to have lovers. As I explained to Doctor Otávio, I am willing to turn a blind eye to your unscrupulous adventures as long as you come home and marry Bianca.
Jake let a laugh out of his mouth.
— Not even fucking.
— And why not? I'm not saying to end your affair with this omega.
She wasn't really picking on Nathaniel, which made Jake curious. Considering how the magazines had considered the omega as someone who had an affair with Ares, Jake imagined that his mother would not want to be related to Nathaniel. It was strange.
— I'm not in the mood to marry Bianca, nor to come home. I am living well without you.
— We both know well that this is a lie. Sharing the apartment with a... Castilho, certainly is something difficult to deal with.
The sharp look that Renata threw at Matheus, only made the alpha mentioned open a malicious smile.
— It is always a pleasure to harm the Mckenzie.
— And you still consider yourself my son's friend.
— I took care of him when you threw him out — Matheus replied with a shoulder swing, passing his arm around Guilherme — And it's not my fault if your son and I have similar hobbies.
Renata understood well what he meant, and her sharp eyes were pointed at Guilherme. The poor man shrugged his shoulders frightened by the strong and intimidating presence of that woman.
— I see that there are many shameless around here...
— Watch what you say. You're referring to my brother — Nathaniel warned with his thicker voice to intimidate.
Even Jake shuddered at the way Nathaniel spoke.
— Your brother? I didn't know you had...
— And why should you know about it?
— Because I'm your boyfriend's mother — Renata's confidence really stabbed Nathaniel back. And jake just held his omega's hand — Bianca doesn't mind letting you two have your adventures...
— I do care. — Bianca said with rosy cheeks — If someone find out about this, I will be the target of humiliation. People never blame the betrayer, but the one who is betrayed. I don't want that, if Jake marries me, he must end with Nathaniel.
— So save the trouble and find another guy with money to marry — Pinned Jake — I'm not marrying you and not even breaking up with Nathaniel.
— Jake!
Renata raised her hand, silencing Bianca.
— As long as you can keep this ridiculous dating, are you willing to do anything to get back home?
— No. You were the one who kicked me out, and there's no turning back.
— But you will need your family. — Renata smiled — After all, your boyfriend seems to be being watched by journalists.
Jake and Nathaniel seemed surprised that Renata knew about it. Now they were sure that the Mckenzie family could make use of Ares to target Nathaniel.
— What are you planning?
— I'm not doing anything. Everyone wants to know why Ares slept with a teenager and deny it even though he has proof. Now I understand why he never let us visit his house when we tried to sponsor him before the accident...
Nathaniel leaned forward on the table, his light brown eyes also contained a coldness to attack Renata.
— Don't talk about Ares as if you know something.
— Or what? Ah, will try to destroy my family, as you threatened my lawyer?
— I don't need much effort, do I? Since you don't have your precious heir on your side. — Nathaniel leaned back on the chair and put his arm around Jake — Your son is in my possession, and I can take advantage of the presence of journalists to show everyone that Jake Mckenzie is sleeping with Ares' lover.
Everyone was surprised by the joker's response, and it even sounded like a problem that the Mckenzies certainly didn't want to face. Well on the contrary, they wanted no one to ever know that Jake was hooking up with another man. The fact that they proposed a marriage with Bianca and even say that it could keep Nathaniel as a lover was evidence.
But only Jake seemed proud, and even excited, by that response.
— Fuck, why do you always seduce me when I least expect it?
— Quiet — A slightly blushing Nathaniel whispered.
— Don't think it will be like this — Renata stood up from the table and smiled at the couple — You'll need the power of the Mckenzie to hide from the journalists who will hunt you.
Nathaniel then smiled back.
— And you will come running to your son wishing that he takes me on publicly.
Without saying anything more, Renata and Bianca left the diner. The threat was made, the Mckenzie would close the doors to Jake once again — although it had never been opened to him in the last three years — to make him remember that without his surname, Jake was nobody.
Much less could protect your omega.
— Haa... She was always crazy to manipulate me — Jake muttered watching his mother get in the car.
— It seems your mother doesn't know about Rapoxia yet.
That comment only made Jake smile victorious.
— Silly. But... — Jake turned to Nathaniel — What is this story that she will probably want me to hire you publicly?
Taking the glass of soda, Nathaniel relaxes on the shoulders of the alpha.
— Have you already done the research on the Callegari family division?
Jake and Matheus looked at each other and sighed low.
— We found a document that speaks of the division of assets after Mr Callegari died about ten years ago.
The folder that the two alphas had found was full of documents. They still could not read everything, but it was clear that there were problems in the distribution of the inheritance between the four Callegari sons. It was as if it were difficult for them to agree.
— It seems that old Callegari had two farms, and left one whole to his youngest son. The other three brothers kept the other farm and still had to divide, but they did not accept this well. We still have to see if the old Callegari had other assets.
Jake then continued the explanation of Matheus.
— The old Callegari left the farm to his youngest son, Antonio Callegari. Do you know anything about him? It's kind of strange that he inherited a whole farm while the brothers had to share the other.
— I know who he is — Nathaniel agreed slowly drinking the soda, and then smiled at Matheus and Jake who were looking at him curious — It's my father.
Guilherme spat the soda. Matheus let the fries, which he was about to eat, fall on the table. Jake was incredulous.
— Y-Your dad? So, that means...
— I will also inherit the farm, since I am only son of my father.
— Wait, wait! — Matheus asked exasperated — You live with your mother, right? And your father did not marry again and had no children?
— No. I kept in touch with my father, so I know that I am his only son.
— But you lived out of the country most of your life... Even living with Ares you talked to your father?
Nathaniel just agreed with the head.
— So... When your father dies, you'll have a farm. If that farm is doing well now... — Matheus looked at Jake.
Jake widened his eyes.
— Nathaniel's gonna have a lot of money. and the Mckenzies might want me to marry Nathaniel to get my hands on that money.
The omega smiled at Jake.
— And as I am an omega, your family may want me to have our pup.
Jake stared at Nathaniel in surprise, laughing incredulously with insight.
— You're right. They'll want me to hire you publicly.