Page 212 of Unravelling The Beast

Wren now finally decides to speak.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything; we only found out today, and it’s still probably very early days.”

Hazel gasps, glee in her eyes.

“Oh my god!”

She leaps from her seat and rounds the table with a bright smile, causing Wren to stand beside me, and I watch from the corner of my eye as they embrace.

When I look at Philip across the table, he is staring at me, intensity pouring out of him when he suddenly reaches over the table with his hand.

“Congratulations.”

I can’t work out whether he is happy about it or pissed, but I accept it anyway and give him a firm handshake just as Hazel speaks beside me.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma! Did you hear that Phillip? We’re going to be grandparents!”

I watch as he slowly stands up from his chair while keeping a stare with me, and I watch from the corner of my eye as he circles the table and congratulates his daughter.

“Congratulations, baby girl.”

I hear excitement in Wren’s voice as she responds.

“Thank you, guys!”

I reach out, pick up my glass of wine, and take a long swig before staring down at the dark red liquid, lost in thought, until they all return to the table.

Hazel tucks her chair beneath her and continues to show her happiness.

“This is wonderful news and I’m so happy for the two of you! I’m sure your son will love to be a big brother, Arlo.”

I raise my eyebrows and give her a small smile before sitting forward and placing my glass on the table.

“He sure will.”

Wren returns her hand on my thigh under the table, and I can tell she has calmed down a lot as a result of their acceptance. When we all begin to eat, Hazel begins to bombard me with questions.

“So, what do you do for a living, Arlo?”

I swallow my food down, keeping my eyes low, and when I pick up my glass of wine again, bringing it to my lips, I make eye contact.

“I’m an Elite crime lord.”

Wren chokes on her food beside me, and I smirk against my glass before taking a sip of the wine, looking between Hazel and Phillip’s grave expressions.

Wren giggles nervously and squeezes my thigh under the table, warning me to cut this shit out as she speaks.

“He’s joking.”

She clears her throat before continuing.

“He’s an entrepreneur in finance.”

Hazel lets out a big giggle and waves her hand.

“Wow, you almost had me there, Arlo!”

I smirk as I return my glass to the table and my focus shifts to Phillip, who is just staring at me, either trying to figure me out or fully figured me out already, I can’t tell which of the fucking two.

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