Page 54 of Unravelling The Beast

"So she'll be boring at first?"

Before responding, I think about how smart he is for a three-year-old.

"Perhaps a little, but it won't be long before she's running around bothering you."

I smile and wink at him before Arlo walks toward him and lifts him from his chair.

"Let's get you dressed and ready to go."

"I can do that."

He doesn't look at me as he speaks.

"I've got this."

When they are no longer in sight, I turn around to finish my coffee.

As soon as it’s done, I take a brief, small sip of the hot, black liquid before heading to the refrigerator in the hopes of finding something quick to eat, and when I notice a banana, I reach for it before closing the door.

"This will do just fine."

I proceed to the kitchen island and take a seat, setting down my coffee and banana in front of me. I reach for my phone and go through my messages until I find one from Mom and Lilly, but I decide to open my mom's first.

"How is the job going so far, sweetie?" I haven't heard from you in a while. When you have time, we'll have to catch up. I love you x"

My eyes soften as I begin to feel terrible about not keeping in touch with her since moving into this house, so I decide to text back quickly and reassure her that everything is fine.

"I'm fine, Mom. I hope you are as well. Sorry for the delay; I've been quite busy, but things are going well thus far. We'll definitely catch up soon. I love you too x"

When I move on to my sister's message, I scan my eyes over the text.

"Ugh, mom is so annoying! Call me as soon as possible; I need to vent! x"

I sigh before hitting the call button, hoping to make it a quick conversation before we leave here.

"Wren?"

“Lily?”

"Where the fuck have you been? It's never taken you this long to call us!"

"I've been extremely busy. What's up?"

"Ugh, Mom is driving me insane.Could I come and live with you, please?"

As I respond, I laugh with a head shake.

"I don't think so, Lil.What on earth is going on now?"

"Well, as you know, I'm seeing this guy, and mom saw him picking me up on his motorcycle and immediately judged him as a bad person.I'm tired of this bullshit."

I let out a small sigh.

"She's only concerned about you. You've never had particularly great taste in men."

I start to wonder how I can possibly judge her. I'm fucking my twisted, dangerous boss that I've only just met!

"I know that, but she needs to let me breathe a little, Wren!"

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