Page 136 of Unravelling The Beast

"I'll fucking kill the old cunt!"

I take his face with my palms and look into his eyes, seeing something I've never seen in Arlo before that sends shivers down my spine, but I speak sternly.

"Please listen to me."

I can feel his jaw muscles tightening under my fingers, and he sighs before resting back, ready to hear what else I have to say.

"He told me to leave or he'd sell me and my sister into his new business and we'd be raped."

He bites his words as fury burns in his eyes.

"That fucking—"

"Please! Arlo, you must know all of it. Isn't this what you wanted from me? For me to be completely honest with you?"

He sighs and faces away, undoubtedly annoyed that he has to listen to more.

"When I tried to stand up for myself and make it clear that I wasn't prepared to leave you and Cree..."

My emotions get the better of me, and a tear rolls down my cheek. When his eyes circle my face, he waits patiently for me to continue, and I exhale an unsteady breath while staring down at my hands.

"He punched me in the stomach. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't speak, and he kept saying crazy things about what he'd do to me and Lil if I didn’t leave you."

I feel his eyes all over me, the unbearable fury pouring out of him, and I know he wants to leave and do something, but he remains motionless and silent.

"I just don't want anything to happen to my baby sister.She is too pure and innocent for this shit, and she doesn't deserve it."

As I wipe my tears with my hands, he gently grabs both my wrists and pulls me down onto him, where I can hear his racing heart against my ear.

He places his arms tightly around me, and his powerful voice vibrates against my ear when he talks.

"Listen to me; I'll make sure nothing ever happens to either of you with my fucking life. You should have just told me, Wren."

"I'm sorry; I was in a state of shock and didn't know what to do at the time. I was just so scared.”

We fall silent for a while, and I begin to relax in his arms until he decides to speak.

"I've wanted to kill the bastard for many years, but I'm tied to him in more ways than blood. After this and what he's done to you, he's clearly shown how far he's willing to go to control everything I do, and I don't think I've got a choice anymore, no matter the fucking consequences."

I raise my head and look him in the eyes.

“Is that what you do? Kill?"

He just stares at me, his dark brown eyes piercing mine, but he doesn't say anything. I glance at his lips and continue speaking softly.

"You know it doesn't make a difference to me, right?I couldn't care less what you do in your world.I've known for some time that you're not an ordinary businessman."

He glances around my entire face before moving my hair over my shoulder and resting his warm, tattooed palm on the side of my neck. I get butterflies when he tenderly brushes his thumb over my jaw.

"And that's why I fucking like you. No matter what kind of monster I am, you look past it and still believe there is some good in me. You don't try to change me; you just accept me for who I fucking am."

My heart fills with something as I smile.

"It's difficult not to when I've had the pleasure of seeing you with Cree every day and you're not the same with him."

He swiftly presses his lips against mine, cutting me short, as if he doesn't want to disappoint me by refusing to talk about emotions any longer.

We become caught in a passionate kiss, and when we finally part ways, I smile and rest my cheek on his chest.

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