Page 124 of Hard to Judge

“I don’t think any of us are ready for this.” Lord knows my stomach has been twisted since the revelation crashed into my conscience hours ago. “But it’s time.”

I help her to her feet and point at the chair I set up for her in the corner of the room.

She tugs the collar of my shirt low and presses her forehead to mine. We breathe one final cleansing breath together, and then she releases me. “I trust you. I love you. I believe in you. Arlo does too. No matter what.”

All I can do is nod and watch her walk to the chair and sit like a queen on a throne.

I want to crawl to her and bury my face in her pussy. I want to hear her moans and taste her wetness on my tongue.

The only way to the other side, to our future together, is through.

“Fuck.” I make one final sweep of my setup, roll my shoulders, and head to the door.

Of course, Arlo stands proud on the other side. He’s in a navy button-down with navy slacks that have a neatly woven pinstripe. The color brings out the hint of deep blue in his dark eyes.

The concierge has made herself scarce. He’s in the room alone. I’ve booked the rooms on either side of the one we’ll use, just in case the soundproof insulation fails us.

I crook my finger.

Arlo sets down the glass that had a finger of bourbon inside when Hailey left him to join me. He walks with sure strides and stops with the tips of his Ferragamo’s nearly touching mine.

Without a word, I unbutton the top two buttons on his shirt and then lean forward. My lips meet the heat of his skin just under his throat and above his heart. I keep them there for too long before I stand.

“I love you.” Arlo’s breath dances across my jaw.

“I hope it’s true after.” I swallow.

“It will be.” Arlo gives one concise dip of his head.

“I love you, Arlo. I also have to break you apart to give you what you need. I will tear you to shreds. I’ll rip the past from your present so we can put your pieces back together.”

Arlo’s chin lifts. His gaze narrows. “I’m ready.”

He most certainly isn’t. Still, I appreciate the bravado. I guide him inside, close the door behind him, and flip the lock. The metal bolt thuds home. To his credit, he doesn’t flinch.

His head swivels to Hailey. They exchange a look that says so much without a word.

Arlo’s head lowers to take in the room.

His shoulders jerk forward. He rocks back on his heels as though he’s been shot.

There’s the flinch.

On the floor at his feet lay two manacles. Each one is attached to one meter of heavy chain. Those chains are fastened to the concrete by U bolts.

The memory of stealing the chains and manacles from the room his uncle once locked him in is enough to prick every millimeter of my skin and tug at the lunch I ate hours ago.

And I was never restrained by them.

I step to Arlo’s back but don’t touch him. “Once we start, no matter what you say or do, there is no stopping what comes next. Unless you say the word.”

Churchill.

The place where he was least safe in his whole life. The safe word I’ve made sure he’s never had to use.

He might tonight.

Tiny beads of sweat cling to his neck, while his pulse kicks wildly in his throat. A quiver makes the pointed collar of his shirt dance a discordant rhythm.

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