Page 64 of The Arrogant's Redemption

I kiss her forehead and walk away—if I don’t, I’ll lose my mind. At night, when I lie in bed, I still hear Sheila’s voice echoing in my head: “You killed them. My sister and the baby.”

My son.

And the trail of destruction I’ve left behind hasn’t ended yet. My father and cousin—each in their own way—are still at risk.

As I step outside, I tighten my grip on the phone. I know I don’t deserve her. I’ve brought harm to everyone around me, but I have to at least explain.

Like a compulsive addict, as soon as I get into the back seat and my driver starts the engine, I try her number again—only to be sent straight to voicemail.

Lois said Alexis seemed relatively okay when they met. But if that’s true, why won’t she talk to me?

I call the restaurant again. It’s the third time. The first two times, I spoke with employees who told me Alexis had quit. This time, though, a man answers.

"Ugly Shrimp."

"My name is Lazarus. I’m a friend of Alexis. I’m trying to get in touch with her and?—"

"I know who you are. And if you can’t reach her, that should be a clue that you need to stop trying."

"Who is this?"

"Badger Hill. Owner of this place—and soon to be her stepfather."

"What?"

"You heard me. And as the man who’s marrying Marla as soon as we clear those ridiculous charges, here’s a warning: stay away."

Whatever patience I had left is officially gone. "Fuck you and your threats."

"What the hell do you want? Haven’t you caused enough damage already?"

His words hit hard—because they echo exactly what my sister said just minutes ago.

And then something he mentioned sinks in.

"You said you’re marrying her mother once she’s cleared of the charges?"

"My girlfriend was wrongly accused of pushing an elderly woman down the stairs at the home where she worked. The woman died. Marla was arrested and indicted. She’s innocent, and we’ll prove it. Not that it’s any of your business."

"I’d like to help."

"You’d help a lot by staying out of it," he says, his voice tired. "Look, I don’t know you. I don’t know what really happened between you and Alexis. But while you were off having your weekend fling, her mom got stabbed by another inmate. Alexis blames herself for skipping that visit to be with you. I know your type. She doesn’t belong in your world. She’s beautiful, but she’sfragile. You’ll break her. She told me she doesn’t want to see you again. If you have any respect for the young woman, stay away."

Alexis

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Several weeks later

"I can't believe this,"I say, sobbing into my mother's embrace. "How is it possible that he managed to get you released, when the judge had previously ruled that there would be no bail amount at all?"

"God, sweetheart. It had to be Him."

Still holding her, I look up at the sky and say a silent prayer.

Yes, it had to be God.

When I woke up from the fainting spell—right after LJ's sister said those awful things—I felt dead inside for nearly an entire day. I turned off my phone and cried for almost twenty-four hours straight.

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