Chapter 19
NINETEEN
REON
What the fuck is she doing with Arlo?
And how the fuck can she even afford him?
I know she didn’t take any money during her marriage or divorce. I tracked all that down. I like to keep tabs on her because it eases something in my dark soul.
I spot Arlo waiting alone against the building where he said they were. Opening the car door, I climb out and look around. He wouldn’t have even told me he was with her. I was calling him to ask for advice on how to get rid of Maya when I heard Lilith speak.
Then someone said her name, and I knew it was her.
“Where is she?”
“Always so hostile, Reon. Let’s take a breather—”
“Don’t even try your therapy shit on me, Arlo.”
He smirks and takes a sip of his coffee. “She left. Didn’t really think she would hang around, did you?”
“You told her I was coming?”
“She’s moved on, Reon. It’s time you do the same. Especially since you’re supposed to be marrying Soren’s sister,” he points out.
“I don’t want her. You know that.”
“She’s a beautiful woman,” he says, then he cracks his neck from side to side. “You could break her, you know. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. You could break her into pieces and put her back together the way you want.”
“That’s your job, Arlo. We all know how you like to break pretty things.” I look around. “Which way did she go?”
“You won’t find her.” He chuckles. “She’s sneaky, that one. Impressive, really. I think she may give you a run for your money, and that’s saying something, considering you have a lot of it.”
I spin back to glare at him. “Does she talk about me?”
He tsks. “Now, you know my sessions are confidential, Reon.”
“Are they when she can’t afford to pay?” I ask.
“How do you know she isn’t paying? Have you been digging?” He leans in closer to me. “I’d suggest you stop it before others find out and remove her from the equation.”
“Are you threatening me?” My back straightens at his words. “You know I don’t take kindly to threats.”
A sinister smirk tugs at his lips. “I won’t tell them about her, but you may very well be doing so in your attempt to find her.”
“How do you know I’m trying to find her? Does she tell you about me?”
“Of course she does. I’m her therapist. And I think I’ve helped her get over you. She won’t be doing anything crazy anymore. No more stealing identities, no stalking. None of that. Now, if you can just move on…” He makes a flicking motion with his hand.
“That won’t happen, and I suggest you inform your client of that as well.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
I step up to him, my hands shooting out and gripping his well-ironed shirt. “Where. Is. She?”
His gaze drops to my hands. “Remove them. Now.”
“Reon.”
I turn my head from his threatening tone to the new voice. There she is, dressed in a red maxi dress, the perfect red flag, wearing the color of blood. I can’t help it when my eyes stray to her chest, checking the necklace. How is she able to take my breath away without even trying?
“Why are you here?” Lilith asks.
My hands drop, and Arlo steps away and moves next to her.
His back is to me as he leans over and whispers in her ear.
She turns her head to him and nods before her chocolate-colored eyes find mine again.
Maybe I should just kill him now. To say I’m jealous that he has been spending time with her would be an understatement.
“What did you say?” I growl at Arlo, but he strides off without responding. I watch him go, then turn my attention to her and ask, “What did he say?”
“That he’ll see me next week,” she answers. “Reon, why are you threatening your friend?”
“He isn’t my friend. I don’t have friends.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.”
I step closer, and she stays still as people walk around her.
“And what about you? How many friends do you have?”
“I have Arlo,” she says.
Toe to toe now, leaning down so my face is in her space, and her eyes flutter. “You don’t have Arlo. He will deceive you. It’s what he’s good at. He is the best at manipulation.”
“I have Arlo to talk to, Reon. He’s a therapist. Maybe you should see one.” She backs away from me, and I take a step toward her.
I won’t let her escape me again.
“Why have you been hiding from me?” I ask, lifting a hand and brushing her hair from her face. “You know, I always find my caterpillar one way or another.”
She releases a shaky breath. “It needs to stop. We need to stop.”
“We found each other. Why would we stop?”
She pushes my hand away and shakes her head. “Don’t, Reon. Just don’t.”
I grab her face with both hands and lean down so my mouth is inches from hers. “I can’t, Caterpillar. I’m utterly addicted, and once I work a way out of this mess, I will find you. And I will have you.”
“What if I’ve moved on?” she asks, and I can’t take my eyes away from her lips.
“You haven’t. You can’t. You’re as fixated on me as I am on you. I’ll do whatever it takes to have you, even if that means putting every Society member six feet under the ground.”
“You…” She trails off and tries to pull away from me, but I push up against her and back her up against the wall. “It was all a mistake.”
“Where is the knife, Caterpillar?”
“I…”
“You hold on to it because you like it. It reminds you of me. And that night.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” The lie slips from her plush lips easily.
“But I do.” I lean in. “Because when I close my eyes at night, I dream of you.” I pull back.
“Go back home to her. It’s where you belong,” she snaps, then turns and rushes down the sidewalk.
“I belong wherever you are, Caterpillar,” I shout after her with a grin, and she flips me off over her shoulder. I think my heart just pitter-pattered a little harder.
Fuck, I’m done for.