Page 72 of Scarred Sins
Arlo hums, slightly amused. “She chooses to ignore that he’s married and that the said wife is her superior around here. She once challenged Mom to a fistfight. Mom wiped the floor with her before Becka could get into a fighting position, all while being on the phone with Aria. It was a sight, but it definitely didn’t deter Becka from trying to get with Dad.’’
I frown. “That sounds like too much work; why not just… kick her out?”
“Well, for one, Mom knows Dad wouldn’t cheat. He worships the ground Mom walks on, and a girl half his age is definitely not going to change that. And secondly, she has nowhere else to go. I’m not exactly sure what her story is, but it must be a difficult one if both Dad and Mom are letting her little flirting fiasco get swept under the rug. Though, it’s a matter of time before Mom’s patience runs thin, and she’s not a very patient person.’’
My eyes are glued to Becka as she talks to Hudson. He’s nodding, responding politely, but I could’ve sworn that his brow twitched in annoyance at least four times in the past seven minutes. She either ignores it or doesn’t seem to get the hint. If it were Arlo she was flirting with, I wouldn’t just sit idly and watch it happen.
That’s when I pause.
This is the second time I’m catching myself getting possessive of Arlo. He’s not an object, and with everything he’s been doing for me, protecting me from the shadows, willingly being patient with me, and helping me get my revenge, I doubt he’d ever be interested in anyone else. Yet, this is the second woman I’ve felt insecure about, and this one is all in a hypothetical scenario.
The mere thought of Arlo with another woman makes my blood boil.
I swallow thickly, turning to look at Arlo. “What’s happening with Zoe Adams?”
Arlo sighs. “After my little visit, Nelson tightened the security. I’m not sure what she told him, but since she’s alive and breathing, I’m assuming she lied. I’m looking into how to get her alone again.’’
Why? Why am I feeling like this? It almost feels maddening.
“Is there a way for you to discreetly deliver a message and meet her?”
“I could try, but if it goes wrong, she’ll die. And if it goes well, there’s no guarantee she’ll want to meet me or be able to. For now, I’m looking for a way into the manor. If they host a party or something similar, I could sneak in as the help and get her alone for a moment or two. I don’t need much more.’’
I nod.
“Is everything alright?” Arlo asks, and I freeze for a moment. Why the hell is he so good at reading my emotions before I can even process them myself? “You’re always tense when we talk about Zoe. Why?”
I shrug it off. “No reason.’’
“Don’t lie to me, Blair. I can see it on your face. Something’s bothering you. What is it?”
I open my mouth to respond, to roll off another lie with ease, just how I was taught, when Hudson approaches us. Silently, I’m thanking the man for saving me from a situation I didn’t want to find myself in. Being insecure is one thing; beingthisinsecure is a big problem, one that we don’t have the time to deal with.
“Blair,’’ Hudson smiles. “You’re here to train.’’
I nod.
“Great, get in the ring.’’
My brows lift to my hairline. “Pardon?”
“I’ll train you today. Arlo can sit this one out.’’
“What?” Arlo protests. “No.’’
Hudson isn’t impressed. “I think Blair’s old enough to make decisions for herself.’’
Both men turn to look at me, and I hate how I’m being put on the spot. The thought of Arlo training me is something I want desperately, but I’m also aware that I’m worse than a rookie and that having him close to me would only be a distraction and could possibly set us back a few steps.
Ignoring the look of pure desperation and plea on Arlo’s face, I glance at Hudson and smile. “Sure, I’ll train with you.’’
Hudson takes my hands in his, which shocks me, but before I can react, he pulls me to my feet and starts dragging me toward the ring. People around us are staring, but not for too long. They go back to their training, chatting or having breaks while Hudson releases my hands, and I enter the ring.
“Stand in the middle,’’ he orders.
My body moves on its own accord, and I’m standing in the middle of the ring before I can blink. Hudson’s circling around me, inspecting every inch of my body. His brows are narrowed, and he doesn’t say a word for what seems to be an hour. My shoulders go rigid, and I straighten up, looking straight ahead.
“Not bad, but not good.’’
