Page 61 of Unravelling The Beast

“You must keep your distance from him, Wren. I’m sorry,I love my brother, but he is currently messed up in the head and he will not treat you right.”

I sigh and glance away once more.

“There's nothing more I want from him, Sara; we’re just two adults having rough sex.”

Before picking up her wine glass, she cringes at the thought, and she mumbles with the rim against her lips.

“Best of luck with that, Wren, but be warned; Arlo will only break your heart, and more so, don’t ever catch feelings for him.”

Just as I'm ready to respond, Cree suddenly rushes into the kitchen, stopping me from going any further with the conversation.

“Aunt Sara?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Can you, me, and Wren take Phoebe to the park one day?”

“Of course we can; we'll make plans soon, okay?”

Cree hasn't slept all day after spending the entire time at Sara's house and eating dinner, so I know he will sleep well tonight. When it's time to leave, I pick up a tired Cree and carry him outside to the car.

While I'm placing him in his car seat, I notice Arlo and Sara having a quiet, intense conversation by the front door, which I can clearly hear.

“Listen to me now, Arlo. Stay the hell away from her.”

As I fiddle with the straps on Cree's car seat, I peer through the tinted windows of the car door beside me.

Arlo presses his hands into his jeans pockets, and she gives him a serious glare.

“Do you think this is all a game? Do you enjoy inflicting pain on women?”

“Sexually, yes.”

She closes her eyes at his bluntness before raising her hand in disapproval.

“Don't fucking hurt her, you evil bastard. You were never that rough with Bridge. Have you seen what you’ve done to her neck? She's far too sweet for your twisted bullshit.”

He lays his hands on her shoulders as he leans in close to her face.

“Wren is much stronger than you think and she fucking digs it. Also, stay the fuck out of my business.”

Before entering the car, I close Cree's door and open the passenger side door before waving to Sara. They both watch as I close the door behind me while she waves back with a smile.

I can still see them having a heated conversation, but I can't hear what they're saying. All I know is that Sara isn't happy about the situation.

When Arlo starts walking quickly towards the car, I pull in a quivering breath before he opens the door beside me. I start to worry that he'll ask why I told her, and my anxiety rises.

I peek back as he pulls out of the driveway and I see Cree is asleep, so I decide to speak.

“I'm sorry; she noticed the marks on my neck, and I didn't know what to say because I've only been around you.”

He responds sharply without looking my way.

“I don't give a fuck what she thinks.”

I close my eyes for a moment before staring out the window beside me, and we drive in silence.

When we arrive at Arlo's mansion, I lift Cree's limp body from his car seat and take him towards the house, with Arlo following close behind.

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