Page 146 of Unravelling The Beast

When I give him a slight nervous nod, he takes my hand and we continue to his car while noticing that the black car that had been parked outside all day is gone.

The silence between us is stifling as we drive through New York City, swerving in and out of traffic, and after a while, I decide to speak to break the tension.

"Who else will be there?"

I give him the side eye as he looks my way, and I feel his gaze wander down the length of me before returning to the road ahead.

"Jasper and Lilly."

I stare at him in disbelief, but he doesn't look at me.

"Lilly is only 18 years old, Arlo. She can't go to a club."

As he speaks, his brow furrows.

"Says fucking who?"

I just stare at him, and he sighs before turning to face me.

"The owner said she can enter as long as she doesn't drink. I gave him my word that she would not be drinking there."

I watch him as he returns his gaze to the road, slipping back into his seat with one palm on top of the steering wheel.

"I didn't think you were the double-dating type."

He sighs and rolls his eyes.

"Don't you start that shit; it's not a double date."

I roll my lips inward, trying not to laugh, and he must have sensed it because he glances in my direction swiftly, and I can't hold it anymore; I'm laughing.

He gives me a confused expression and speaks with a slight grin on his lips.

"What the fuck are you laughing at?"

I try to calm myself down by shaking my head and giggling.

"You're losing your fucking mind, girl."

That makes me laugh even harder, and I'm not sure why I'm laughing, but it feels good, and he keeps looking at me in confusion. We're pulling up outside the bustling club on the outskirts of New York City by the time I finally calm down.

Arlo jumps out first to meet me on my side as the doors lift and he tosses his keys to the valet. He takes my hand, our repairing scars pressing against one another, and the security guards at the door nod to Arlo as if they already know who he is before allowing us to bypass the lengthy queue.

As we enter the packed club, I gaze around in amazement, and Arlo grips my hand tightly, guiding me through the crowd. He clearly knows where he's going, and everyone's attention is on us as they move out of his way without hesitation.

We soon find ourselves in a much calmer part of the nightclub, where I notice Lily and Jasper seated on a cozy, white couch next to each other. When Lil notices me, she smiles broadly and nudges Jasper alongside her.

As we enter the VIP section, they both stand, and Lil instantly pulls me into a firm hug. When we separate, I take a good look at her and see that she looks beautiful, a lot older than her age.

She has so much make-up on her youthful skin that I can hardly recognise her. I can see the excitement in her eyes because she is in a club for the first time, and I don't want to burst her bubble, but I need to make it clear that she can't have an alcoholic drink here, just as Arlo said.

"You really shouldn't be here, Lil."

She frowns slightly, and I cast a sidelong glance at Arlo, who is watching us both and decides to speak.

"She's fucking fine. She knows she can't drink, or else I'll never allow her entry into another club in my city ever again."

She looks up at him, and he gives her a grave look, and I observe her swallow before nodding. After a brief pause, I decided to cheer things up.

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