Page 194 of Unravelling The Beast

I give a slight nod.

"You."

"Why? I'm nothing like you, Arlo. Look at the mistake I made by letting Cash take my gun."

I carefully move my piercing along my bottom lip once more before answering.

"I need someone trustworthy. The rest will come in due time, Jasp."

His eyes follow me as I stand and stroll around to the front of my desk.

"You're the only one who is capable of the job, Jasper. I can't even trust my own mother right now. You're not completely stupid; all you need is some training and experience."

He looks away and shakes his head slightly.

"I'm not sure, Arlo."

He rubs his chin with his hand, and I place my hands in my pockets to give him a moment to think. I decided to speak again after a brief period of silence.

"Look, I know I'm asking a lot of you; it's a lot to give up, and you'll be putting everything on the fucking line, but trust me, it'll be worth it in the long run, bro."

He glances up at me, our eyes locked for a few moments before he responds.

"I've never been considered an Elite."

I take a long breath before nodding. Our father did not raise us in the same way, and our lifestyles have always been very different.

"I am not going to force you, Jasp, but I'd rather have you by my side than some of these mother-fuckers who had their guns aimed at me that night."

His eyes meet mine once again before he responds.

"But they won't respect me."

I react carefully, raising an eyebrow.

"You're my brother and a Hayes; they have no fucking choice. Do you really believe they respect me right now? They don't have to respect you; they have to fear you, and as long as you're with me, we'll be a force to be reckoned with."

He looks away, deep in thought, and when he doesn't respond, I proceed around my desk once more before taking a seat.

He raises his head suddenly as he responds.

"Okay."

I examine him with my chin raised, surprised, before smirking and standing, extending my hand over the desk.

"Welcome to the deadliest business in New York City, brother."

When he returns my smirk and takes my hand, I immediately pull him to his feet before drawing him close for an embrace. I'm relieved to have him by my side as we pat each other on the back. When we break the tender moment, a text message appears on my phone, and I pick it up before taking a seat, my eyes running over what it says.

“Hey, could we have dinner Friday, 28th, at my parents house? x”

I sigh, rubbing my palm over my mouth, still not happy about it, but I know I have to. I respond swiftly before changing my mind.

"Sure. I'll have Sara keep an eye on Cree."

She responds promptly with a single word.

"Okay x"

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