Page 126 of Unravelling The Beast

As I speak softly, I close my eyes and rub my palm up and down her arm.

"And what good is that, Lil? We'll be kidnapped regardless, and I'm not sure if Arlo can really protect us from someone like him; after all, he is their father. I can't take that risk, not with you. I love you too much to see you hurt in all of this, and he did warn me not to tell Arlo, so I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm told.”

She looks at me as I pull back, and I continue in a serious tone.

"As heartbreaking as this is, it's for the best, Lil.This is a dark world that we have no concept about—a scary, fucked-up world and the only way I can protect you is to take you out of it. You understand that, don't you?"

She gives me a tiny nod, and I trace her cheek with my thumb.

"Please stick to the game plan, baby sis."

“I will.”

"Maybe text Jasper and tell him it's not working out so he doesn't freak out anymore. I'm sure Arlo has told him what I said in that note, but I think he'd rather hear it from you for closure."

As I pull my suitcase off the bed, she speaks again.

"You know he'll come for you, don't you? I don't know Arlo at all, but he seems to be the type of guy who knows exactly what he wants and won't take no for an answer."

I sigh and raise my brows before responding.

"I'll deal with that when the time comes, but for now, I'm hoping he takes the bait."

I glance over my shoulder at her as I walk out, dragging my luggage behind me, and find her standing there lost in thought, so I speak.

"Come on, come and see me out."

She grumbles as her glazed eyes meet mine before following behind me.

When I reach the bottom step, I see and hear my mom standing at the front entrance chatting to someone from afar, and I listen as she speaks.

"She's not feeling too well, Jasper."

I hear Lil race up the stairs behind me just as Jasper responds to my mom.

"I've been trying to call her, but I'm getting no answer, and I just wantto know she's okay, that's all."

My body freezes as I wait for my mom to respond.

"She's fine; she just doesn't want visitors right now, but I'll let her know you stopped by."

"Okay, thanks."

I know he must know I'm here because my car is parked in the driveway, so I take a deep breath and drag my luggage towards the door. My mother turns to face me as I approach.

"I'm going to go now, Mom, but thank you so much for having me."

Jasper suddenly gasps from behind the door.

"Wren?"

As I hug my mom goodbye, I give him a quick smile over her shoulder, and he reminds me so much of Arlo that it almost kills me.

"Let's go outside and talk, Jasper."

He offers a slight nod before stepping back so I can leave the house, and my mom watches us suspiciously as we walk towards my car.

When I unlock the trunk of my car, Jasper effortlessly picks up my suitcase and places it inside for me.

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