Page 221 of Unravelling The Beast

“Why not? What has she done?”

I notice his jaw tense as he doesn't take his eyes off his coffee.

“She knew what I did all along and decided not to tell me until she was ready.”

I close my eyes for a moment and lower my head, lost in thought, until I open my eyes and lay my hand on his forearm, and he continues.

“She is more concerned about what she can gain from shit than her own flesh and blood. She knew I would kill my dad, but she believed it had to be at the perfect time. For business interests, of course.”

I gently squeeze his arm as I speak softly, and he still doesn’t look my way.

“Baby, I understand why you’re angry, but perhaps what she thought she was doing at the time was for the best.”

He now looks at me, his eyes scanning my face before locking with mine.

“You have no idea who she is or what kind of upbringing I had; I don’t even know why the fuck I’ve allowed my son to be around her when she raised me to be a cold-blooded killer.”

His words hit me hard, and they make me realize just how little I know of Arlo’s past—only what happened with Bridget, but anything beyond that, I have no idea.

I respond again softly.

“Has she tried to contact you since she was released from the hospital?”

He gives a small nod, and I continue.

“How do you know things won’t change now that she is no longer in your father’s cruel clutches? I mean, she’s always been really good with Cree, so she can’t be entirely evil. Maybe it was her way of making amends with you for the mistakes she has made in the past with you.”

I see him carefully thinking about my words, taking them in carefully until he reaches out and brings his warm palm to my cheek, causing my eyes to shut as he brushes his thumb along my bottom lip.

“You’re so pure and innocent, Wren, and you see the good in everyone, but it’s all a fucking fairytale. I wish I could tell you otherwise, baby, but that’s not reality, at least not in my world.”

I lean into his hand as I hold it with mine, then open my eyes and gaze into his.

“Arlo, not everything is evil. Please take the risk for me. He truly misses her.”

He inhales deeply and looks away before I see his slight nod.

“I’ll text her.”

I lift my hand and bring it to his face, causing him to look at me. I give him a gentle smile before leaning forward and kissing his soft lips. As we open up for each other, he slides his warm hand around the back of my neck, and butterflies flutter within me.

When we break off from the passionate kiss, we rest our brows on one another's and I whisper.

“I love you.”

He curls his fingers around my chin and plants one last kiss on my forehead before retreating and rotating his body to get off the stool.

I watch him as he walks outside to the yard, and I lean up against the island, watching what Cree is watching on TV.

“Wren?”

My eyes shift to Cree as he looks back at me over his shoulder, and when he stays silent, I approach him until I’m sitting beside him on the couch.

He fidgets a little, looking down before raising his eyes to me and speaking softly.

“Are you Daddy’s girlfriend?”

I take a deep breath and look away, and he continues.

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