“That sounds like a plan. What do you say, Arlo?”
He sniffles, rubbing his nose against his sleeve. “I don’t want to go back to that house. Everything is fake. Everything was a lie.”
I gently clasp his face. “You don’t ever have to go back there if you don’t want to, and not everything was a lie. My love for you was and is pure.”
His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as more tears fill his eyes. “We’re not even brother and sister.”
“Yes, we are.” I press a fierce kiss to his brow. “Our DNA doesn’t matter.” I place my hand over my heart and then over his. “All that matters is what we feel, and I love you more than life.” I peer deep into his eyes. “You are my brother, and I am your sister, and I love you so fucking much. You are everything to me, and we’re going to get through this. I am not leaving you. Wherever you are is where I will be. That is a solemn promise. You are not alone. You have me, and you have Drew.”
And a whole other family who already love him and will welcome him with open arms, but that’s too much for him to grasp right now.
* * *
“Let me know if you need anything else. There are plenty of towels and toiletries in the bathrooms, and I left some clothes that should fit Arlo on his bed. Someone will bring food up to you shortly. There’s a small refrigerator behind that cabinet with cold drinks.” She points at a dark wood dresser tucked against the wall in the corner. “I hope you get some sleep.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Stewart. We really appreciate all you’re doing for us,” I say.
She waves her hands in the air. “We’re all family, sweetie.” She nods at Drew. “Nice to meet you, Drew. I’ll see you in the morning.” Baz and Jase’s mom closes the door, leaving us in the suite that is ours for the night. It has three en suite bedrooms and a large living area with a fireplace, two couches, a large-screen TV, and a small dining table with four chairs. It looks out over the rear of the Stewart family estate, but there isn’t much to see of the magnificent gardens in the pitch-black night.
We couldn’t go to a hotel given the circumstances, and it was too late to fly back to Rydeville. If I’m even returning there because that decision will be my brother’s. The Stewarts offered to take everyone in because they have plenty of room and the estate is in a secluded private location. We all parted ways when we got here, and everyone has been shown to their suites. It’s been an exhausting day, and we’re all beat.
“I’m worried about him,” Drew says when we hear the shower turn on in the bedroom Arlo has claimed.
“Same.” I stifle a yawn.
“I understand why he did it, but I hate that for him. I fear it’ll always follow him around.”
“I know.” I rub at my tired eyes. “I feel the same.”
Drew moves closer, leaning in slowly before kissing me softly and sweetly. He pulls back after one kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I need to shower before the food gets here.”
I drag my gaze over his blood-soaked form and smile. “You really do.” A smirk tugs up the corners of my lips.
“What’s that look for?”
I look over my shoulder to ensure Arlo is still in the shower and lean in as I whisper, “I was just remembering how you butchered the gold digger. I’ve never seen anything hotter.”
“You have issues, Athena.”
I giggle, and it’s a miracle I can. “Tell me something I don’t know, and pot, kettle, black, Mr. Manning.”
“Guess that’s why we’re so drawn to one another.”
I press a kiss to my hand and place it against his cheek. “Go shower, and I’ll meet you back out here in a few.”
By the time I return ten minutes later, the food has arrived, and Drew and Arlo are staring awkwardly at one another from across the dining table.
I sit on a chair in between them and grab a few slices of pizza and plonk them on Arlo’s plate. “Try to eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I can relate, but Mrs. Stewart went to a lot of trouble, and you need to keep your strength up.”
“Can I put music on?” Arlo asks, and Drew instantly hands his cell over.
