Chapter 201
The question makes my stomach twist painfully. Do I trust Caleb? My long–lost brother? The man who is helping me understand who I really am?
“I think he genuinely wants to help,” I say carefully. “We’re friends now.”
Arthur stares at me for a moment. “Willfords don’t do anything without an agenda,” he warns. “Selina taught me
that.”
I bite my lip, remembering all too well the sort of hell Selina put us through. If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, then maybe Caleb isn’t so different. But I want to believe he is–I want to believe that my family, my real, biological family, who I’ve finally found after more than two decades of believing I was a human orphan, only wants the best for me.
“Maybe he’s different,” I offer weakly.
Arthur studies my face for another long moment, then sighs. “If you trust him, I’ll try to as well. Just… be careful, okay? I’m just worried about you, that’s all. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Relief washes over me. He’s giving me space to make my own decisions, even if he doesn’t agree with them. I reach up, cupping his cheek.
“Thank you for trusting me,” I whisper, then rise on my tiptoes to press my lips to his.
He hesitates for just a moment before kissing me back, his arm sliding around my waist. His fingers gently dip into the soft flesh at my hip and draw me closer. I slip my tongue briefly into his mouth, swirling it around his before retreating. The motion makes him loose a low huff that rumbles against my mouth.
When we break apart, some of the tension has left his shoulders.
“Mommy! Daddy! Come help!” Miles calls from further down the beach, where he’s started building a sandcastle.
We spend the next hour helping Miles construct an elaborate castle complete with moats and towers. Arthur shows him how to pack the sand just right, while I hunt for shells and seaweed to decorate it. The awkwardness between us gradually fades as we focus on our son.
Later, we sit down on the blanket to watch the sunset. Miles curls up between us, exhausted from his building efforts. Arthur’s arm drapes across my shoulders, and I lean into him, breathing in his familiar scent.
As darkness falls, we pack up our things. Arthur scoops up a sleepy Miles, who immediately rests his head on his father’s shoulder. My heart swells at the sight, even as guilt continues to twist in my stomach.
Soon. I’ll tell him soon. I’ll give Caleb á couple more days, but then I’m telling Arthur everything whether Caleb likes it or not.
The drive to Arthur’s apartment is quiet–I agreed to spend the night with him, which excited Miles and, admittedly, me.
I stare out the window, watching the city lights blur past. Every day I keep this secret feels like another lie, another betrayal. But how can I choose between my mate and my brother?
When we arrive, I have to admit I’m sort of relieved to see the familiar facade of the apartment we once shared- the apartment we might share again soon. Clyde must be off tonight, because he’s not behind the security desk when we pass through the lobby with our things.
I make a mental note to visit him and Augustine tomorrow it’s been a while since I’ve seen them.
“Now,” Arthur says as we step into the apartment, “before we get ready for bed, I have to show you two
Chapter 201
something.
+25 BONUS
I follow with a furrowed brew as he leads us up the stairs, then down the hall to the guest room that Miles and I shared when we were staying here. He stops outside the door and turns to us with a grin.
“Ready for your surprise?”
