Page 161 of Unravelling The Beast

When Arlo's eyes finally collide with mine and he moves towards me, I can't stop myself from sobbing hysterically. Just seeing him alive is everything I could have wished for. He carefully pulls my dress back over my exposed breasts and looks deep into my teary eyes as he speaks gently.

"It's okay, baby; I'm here now, and no one is going to fucking hurt you anymore."

I feel my shoulders relax for the first time tonight as he draws his face close to mine and places a delicate kiss on my cut lips, and I just want to hug him tight.

Cash suddenly decides to speak condescendingly.

"Well, isn’t this fucking sweet?"

I see Arlo's jaw clenched and hatred well up in his eyes before he turns and shoots Cash in the leg, causing him to collapse to the floor with a groan.

Arlo then speaks up aggressively.

"Mother-fucking pussy, just keep your mouth shut!Jasp, search his pockets for a key to this damn thing!"

As Jasper reaches down to look into Cash's pockets, Cash suddenly grabs Jasper's gun and tries to aim it at us, but Arlo is far too quick and fires several bullets into him before shouting, causing me to clamp my eyes tight.

"FUCK!I wanted to fuck him up!He got off way to fucking easily!"

Jasper responds sheepishly.

"Sorry, Arlo."

"Just search for the damn fucking key!"

When Jasper descends to search Cash's body, Arlo turns around and faces me. He cups my cheeks with his big, tattooed, warm hands and softly strokes his thumbs across them before resting his forehead on mine and speaking gently.

"I'm so fucking sorry, Wren."

My eyes well up with tears again as I see the hurt and sincerity in his eyes, and I whisper with a tremble on my lips.

"I thought you were dead. I thought I had lost you."

When I feel the metal cuffs above me loosen, my legs weaken beneath me, but Arlo catches me. He lifts me up into his arms, and as he carries me outside, I place my head on his chest.

I look around and see dead bodies everywhere, causing me to be overcome with uncertainty.

"I didn't hear you guys come in."

Jasper speaks as he strolls beside Arlo.

"Silenced guns."

Before I react, my mouth hangs open.

"You two did this all by yourselves?There were so many of them."

Jasper casts a glance my way.

"Wren, never underestimate Arlo's abilities."

I burrow deeper into Arlo's chest when I feel the cool night air on my skin when we finally step outside.

Jasper unlocks a car door, and Arlo sets me inside before strapping me in and kissing me.

He pauses for a moment, staring into my eyes, before speaking.

"Jasper will take you to my house and keep an eye out for you until I return."