Page 39 of Awakening the Beast
Arlo lets out a heavy sigh, then he shakes his head. “I go get this bitch, and we repeat what happened with Izzy—get the info, then...”
I stay silent, my eyes locked on his, searching for any hesitation, but there’s none. He points a finger at me, his expression serious. “But you need to wait until you’re fully ready to return. I’m not having you back in this until you’re fucking healthy.”
I nod, knowing he’s right, even though the eagerness burns in me. He leans in, his lips pressing against mine, giving me a few lingering kisses. He breaks away and places a final tender kiss on Lumi’s head before standing up.
“If you need me, call me; I might be back late. I’ve gotta travel.”
As he starts to pull away, I reach out instinctively, my fingers grasping his hand. “Please be careful,” I mutter, my tone betraying the anxiety I’m trying to suppress.
He nods, giving me a reassuring look, but it does little to calm me. When he finally turns and walks away, I feel a sense of helplessness. I lean back into the couch, hating how powerless I am in this moment. I used to be so involved in everything, thick in the action, but now I’m on the sidelines, barely knowing what’s going on.
I trust Arlo—I trust him to get things done—but the waiting, the not knowing, that’s what makes me itch. My heart pounds as I stare at my phone beside me, contemplating the worst-case scenarios. The thought of my dad discovering that Arlo is on animportant mission—and then deliberately putting him in harm's way—spins my mind into a mess.
What if he’s plotting against Arlo, just waiting for the right moment to strike? The fear that he might do something unforgivable, like endangering the person I love most again, eats away at me. If only he knew that I knew, maybe he’d back the fuck off, maybe he’d be wary.
With trembling fingers, I reach for my phone and find my mom’s number. Without hesitation, I hit the call button, the familiar sound of the dial tone ringing in my ear. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.
“Wren?” Her soft voice comes through the speaker.
“Hey, Mom. I was wondering if you’re free today. I’d like to come over with Lumi.”
Lumi drifts off to sleep almost instantly as I gently settle her into her car seat in the back of the car, tucking her in with a pink, fluffy blanket. I shut the door quietly before sliding into the driver's seat. As I start the car, it hits me—it's been months since I last drove myself. Arlo is always the one behind the wheel, and when he wasn’t around, Joe was my chauffeur.
I sit in the driver’s seat for a moment, and after gathering my thoughts, I pull out of the driveway and head toward my parents’ house on the other side of town.
As the city passes by, I fight with what lies ahead. How will I confront them? Will they be sympathetic, or will they seize the opportunity to try to regain control over me? The thought of confronting my mom, who has always been the essence of kindness and innocence in my eyes, now makes me think twice about everyone and everything.
Discovering she is the wife of one of the most powerful men in the United States makes me question my entire childhood and our family life. How did they manage to keep their secrets so well hidden? And now that they know I’m part of this world, how are they processing the fact that I’m with Arlo Hayes—the enigmatic, dangerous kingpin of New York City?
This entire situation feels like a bizarre dream, and I realize that no matter how prepared I think I am, nothing can really prepare me for what lies ahead.
As I pull into the driveway, I shut off the engine and take a deep breath, attempting to slow my racing heart. I can’t storm in there with all guns blazing—I need to remain as calculated and strategic as I have been over the past seven months. They might already suspect I know, or they will soon enough. Did they really think Arlo could keep this secret from me forever?
I sigh and swing the door beside me before carefully lifting Lumi's car seat out after unplugging it. With a final deep breath, I make my way to the front door.
I ring the doorbell, mentally rehearsing how to keep my cool, to project the same cheery demeanor I’ve always had with my parents, despite everything I feel deep down. After a moment, I see my mom approaching through the glass panelling. When she opens the door, her face lights up with a broad smile, and I mirror her expression.
“Mom, it’s so good to see you.”
“And you, sweetie,” she replies, her smile bright. “Come inside; I’ve made some homemade hot cocoa.”
I nod, keeping up the façade of the perfect daughter as I pass her, entering the house. As I step into the kitchen, the scent of cocoa and freshly baked food fills the air.
My stomach twists as soon as I spot my dad seated at the table, his glasses perched on his nose as he reads the newspaper.
He looks like an ordinary man—how did this seemingly everyday guy, my dad become some badass in a matter of weeks. When he finally notices me, he removes his spectacles and stands, a broad smile spreading across his old face. I return his smile with a forced effort as he closes the distance between us and kisses my cheek.
“It’s great to see you, princess. How are you feeling?” he asks.
He offers to take Lumi’s car seat from me and despite my unease, I reluctantly hand her over, watching as he gently sets her down on the floor after heading back to the table.
“I’m feeling much better,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. I take a seat across from him, my gaze flickering between him and Lumi.
As he makes a move to lift her out, I place a hand on his arm.
“Let her sleep for now, Dad,” I say flatly.
He looks up at me, a glint of something—understanding, maybe—crossing his face. It’s as if he knows that I’m aware of more than I’m letting on. He pauses, setting Lumi’s car seat back down with a slight nod. The unspoken pressure between us fills the room and I draw my gaze away from my dad’s stern eyes, letting it drift across the room to my mom, who’s mindlessly stirring hot cocoa. They know I’m not here just for a casual visit and a chitchat, my cold demeanor is making that clear.
