Page 82 of My Secret to Protect

Bree nods, and I turn back to the porch and then search for a card.

‘Well, we’ll not disturb you anymore.’ Cara grins. ‘We were just passing on the way to take Bo to school, so thought we’d drop in. We’ll be back in the morning to help you set up,’ I hear her say as my fingers land on the card buried deep in the flowers. ‘See you later.’

Turning, I wave goodbye, and Bree heads my way. The look of fear back on her face after days of it being gone guts me.

‘They’re from him, aren’t they?’

I turn over the card and written on the envelope is one word: Princess.

Ripping it open, I read the words that make my blood boil.

Happy birthday, Breanne. We can’t be together for this one, but we’ll be together for the rest. I love you.

‘What does it say?’

‘Nothing of interest.’ I tear the card in half and grab the flowers, stalking through the house and yanking open the front door, then storming out to dump the flowers and the card in the trash.

‘Arlo, what did it say?’

Turning back to the house, I find Bree gripping the porch railing, and I drop my head, inhaling deeply. We let our guard drop. We were wrapped up in each other and felt safe in that. I let her down.

‘Baby,’ I never call her that, so her eyes widen as I approach. ‘You don’t need to worry about what it said because I’ve got you. It’s just you and me, Bree, you hear me? It’s you and me.’

‘He’s coming, isn’t he?’ she whispers as I reach her and cup her face in my hands.

‘He’ll be dead before he gets anywhere near you.’

It’s a promise, and I see in her eyes she knows it.

‘I’m scared.’

I shake my head, no. ‘You’remygirl, you hear me,’ I lift her chin with my finger and lean in to kiss her. ‘My girl is a badass. Don’t forget that.’

Theprickkilledthemood. We’d been happy and relaxed.

Now we’re tense and alert, but her whole family is here, so we’re putting on a show. She feels safer, I think, surrounded by love, but I feel Mrs. C’s eyes on me, and I know she wants to get me alone. Nobody knows that my best friend in the world is the oldest person at the party, and nobody is questioning why my dog seems so fucking happy to see her, but as she approaches me while I stand at the grill, I wonder what everyone will make of her stealing me away.

‘Okay, time for me to get to know the man monopolizing my granddaughter’s time.’ She loops her arm through mine. ‘Merv, you’re on grill duty.’

Dragging me into the living room, Mrs. C looks around for ears that could overhear before sitting, and I join her on the sofa.

‘What’s happening? Is he gone? Is this over?’ she asks quietly, and I shake my head, no.

‘Not yet. It will be.’

‘Arlo, I’m worried.’ She isn’t a worrier, Mrs. C, so I hate that.

‘It’s taking longer than we thought. He goes quiet, and we stupidly thought maybe he’d given up, but he sent her flowers yesterday and said he’s coming.’ I shake my head. I shouldn’t have told her that. ‘Bree doesn’t know what the card said. I didn’t want her to be scared.’

‘Can you get her away from here? Take her someplace safe?’ I cover Mrs. C’s hand on my knee with my own and give it a squeeze.

‘I’m going to keep her safe, I promise.’

‘This isn’t fake for you anymore, is it?’

I smile and meet her watery gaze. ‘I love her. I loved her then. I love her now.’

‘And she feels the same.’ It’s not a question, but I shrug and check behind me that we’re still alone.

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