Page 83 of Awakening the Beast
“Arlo took him from me. He took my father. He took everything,” she sobs, her voice trembling with grief.
“Good!” I snap, and her body goes rigid with shock.
“You were all willing to take everything from me, from us. But unfortunately for all of you, the best always come out on top. Youall fucking failed. All this pain and hurt was for NOTHING!” I roar, the bitterness clear in my tone.
I stand abruptly, turning to leave, to hopefully push her a little further and finally her words pierce through the pressure.
“This isn’t finished,” she shouts, echoing off the walls. “The real problem is in the shadows, and they will never go away,” she continues. “You both have no fucking idea how much people hated that man from the moment he was born!”
Without hesitation, I stop in my tracks, her words striking a nerve. I turn sharply, lifting my gun with a coldness and her eyes expand in fear for a split second before I squeeze the trigger.
BANG!
The shot rings out, her body slumps, her eyes glazed over with death, wide open and I stare at her expressionlessly, watching as the blood from the bullet hole in her forehead trickles down her once pretty face.
“And now you’re one less person to hate him,” I mutter.
With that, I turn on my heels and walk toward the door, leaving behind the aftermath as I exit the building.
I pull up outside of Carmella’s mention, cutting the engine, but I sit there for a moment, steadying myself. My mind is a mess, conflicted, but I’m just glad Savannah is no longer breathing the same air as me. I unbuckle my seatbelt, and step out, sliding mygun into the back of my pants again, concealing it beneath my blazer.
As I approach the huge door, Carmella’s voice rings out through the intercom.
“The door is open, Wren. I am in my office.”
I nod, looking into the small camera, then enter the mansion.
After ascending the grand staircase, I cross the marble floors to the back of the building and push open her office door. As I step inside, she rises from her desk, offering a small smile that I return with a hint of unease.
“Come in and sit down,” she invites, her tone strangely polite yet formal.
I nod, walking toward the chair and pulling it out before taking a seat. The pressure in the room is clear as I settle in, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me. She takes her seat opposite me, and for a moment, an awkward silence hangs between us as we stare at one another.
“Arlo suggested I come here to clear the air after our last encounter in his office,” I begin, breaking the silence, my gaze unwavering as I look at her.
She nods, her expression softening slightly. “You have to understand, he is still my son. My motherly instincts just kicked in.”
I lift my chin, observing her because I’ve never seen her as protective or maternal before and she continues. “I have beentaught different I guess than to wave a gun around in my partners face, threatening him.”
“My husband,” I assert, my tone calm but firm.
She tilts her head, the smile now replaced by a questioning look. “When did you get married?”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “A measly piece of paper with a signature doesn’t define the love we have for one another, Carmella. Arlo Hayes is my husband, whether it’s documented or not,” I reply with defiance.
She studies me intently, her gaze holding mine, before giving a small nod and I continue, undeterred. “I know my husband well enough to understand that, despite any threats or conflicts we face, we would never genuinely harm each other. It’s called trust and he definitely feels the same way.”
Her brows raise as she leans back in her chair. “You’re both very lucky to have that. Unfortunately, I can’t relate.”
I almost cringe internally but maintain my composure, lowering my eyes as she stands. Her movement catches my attention as she heads toward the drinks cabinet.
“Drink?” she offers, her hand hovering over the selection.
“I can only have the one,” I reply, knowing I’m driving.
“Of course,” she says with a smile, “Whiskey?”
My gaze sweeps over the cabinet, noting the array of options but searching for something that’s not there.
