Page 59 of Scarred Sins
“What are they like?”
“Mama is very… kind? That’s what I want to say, but one memory always makes me stop and think before speaking. A few years back, when I was about fifteen, there was an intruder in the house. Dad was away, and my little sister was knocked out cold, and I just woke up hungry. Mama was already in the kitchen, so she made us a snack. Then, a man managed to get past the security and come into the house. So, when she saw him, she screamed.’’
“Jesus,’’ my mouth drops open. “She must’ve been terrified.’’
“Not exactly,’’ Arlo winces. “You see, it was November, and it had been raining for days prior to that incident, so there was mud everywhere. She screamed because he got the mud on her white, fluffy carpets. She grabbed the nearest sharp object, a pair of scissors, and just flung it at him. The scissors opened midair, and each blade hit one of his eyes.’’
“I keep forgetting this isn’t a normal family.’’
“What even is normal? For me, the way I’d been brought up and raised is normal. I was taught how to show respect, stand up for myself, and always make my own decisions, knowing that some will have consequences. If anything, Mama and Dad did a wonderful job of raising me. Not my little sister, though. She’s a spoiled brat.’’
I snort. “What about your work? Is it… common?”
He lifts a shoulder. “It’s just a job.’’
“Your job is to kill people.’’
“I’m aware.’’
“That could land you in prison.’’
“Quite possibly.’’
“And you won’t quit?”
“No,’’ he grins. “If anything, it’s the thrill that keeps me going. It’s not like I pick random people off the street and kill them because I’m bored.’’
I squint my eyes. “You don’t?”
“Well, it might’ve happened once or twice.’’
“Once or twice,’’ I repeat in disbelief.
“Maybe like five times? I don’t remember.’’
“This conversation is giving me a headache,’’ I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger.
“Listen, Blair,’’ Arlo’s tone is serious, and my ears perk. “My job is a part of who I am. Without that, I wouldn’t know who I am. It’s unconventional, for sure, but it’s been a big part of my life since I was born. I can’t just quit. Iwon’tquit.’’
I don’t respond – I have no words to offer. Not once did Arlo lie to me about who he was or what he did for a living, but I still can’t help but feel anxiety burst through my chest. It’s not fear; if anything, I’m safer with Arlo than with anyone else. It’s pure terror and dread that one day, while on one of his jobs, he won’t come back home to me.
“Are you afraid of me?”
The sound of his voice cracking snaps something inside of me. My eyes flicker upward to meet his, and the terror of me being scared of him is evident on his entire face. His hands grip the steering wheel as he looks back on the road, so much sorrow behind those gorgeous gray eyes.
“No,’’ the confident tone in my voice manages to surprise me. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m afraidforyou.’’
His face splits into a wide grin. It’s as if my words are enough to clear the stormy sky inside of his head, and rays of sunshine manage to break their way into the gloomy, dark, and scary thoughts. The gem on his tooth is shining as brightly as his smile, and it makes my heart flutter.
“Does that mean I’ve snuck my way into your heart?” He teases, a hint of desperation coating his words. Instead of responding, I look out of the window, hiding my flushed cheeks from his hungry eyes. The redness on my flesh only intensifies at the sound of his deep, throaty laughter.
“Anyway,’’ I cleared my throat. “What about your father?”
“Dunno,’’ he deadpans. “He’s just… My dad. He’s been competing with me for years, who's Mama’s favorite man. Spoiler alert, it’s me, despite him claiming otherwise.’’
A small laugh slips from me. “You’re a mama’s boy.’’
He beams. “A proud one, too.’’
