Chapter Twelve

Weeks have passed since Arlo came home, and while I'm slowly beginning to feel like my old self, mentally, thanks to him and the kids, I know deep down that I won't truly find peace until we find out what really happened that night. The uncertainty, the lack of trust, and the fear of the unknown are constantly hovering over me. It's an overwhelming feeling, especially now that I'm a new mom. Every day, I try to count my blessings and remind myself how fortunate I am that my little family remains unharmed.

I'm hoping that once everything is out in the open and settled, I can return to some kind of normalcy, but for now, I'm consumed by anger, a thirst for revenge, and unforgiveable betrayal. The thought of Savannah being held in our spot, waiting for me to handle her, only fuels my annoyance.

I look down at Lumi, nestled in my arms, her tiny mouth working as she suckles. It's hard to believe she's already nearly three months old. It feels like just yesterday that she was born, and yet time has flown by so quickly.

Arlo and I talked last night about my plans to attend one of the Elite meetings tonight. Now that I'm feeling better, we thought it might be good for me to make an appearance. Arlo is tied up with work right now, but I plan to join him there soon.

Given my lingering doubts about Carmella and my own parents, Lil and Jasper will be staying here in a guest room to look after Lumi for the night. I need her to be in her own bed, cared for by people I trust, rather than dealing with the anxiety of leaving her with someone else. Cree will be with Sara and Phoebe, so I know she'll be in good hands.

I'm both excited and anxious about returning to the Elite world. It's going to be a different experience with Arlo by my side, breathing down my neck, pushing me to prove myself. That's just who he is. I have no doubt he's eager to see how I measure up, not just as his partner or the mother of his children, but as a force in this ruthless world. He is about to witness a side to me that he has never seen before.

Once I finish feeding Lumi and pumping for the night, I take her upstairs to get her ready for bed, mentally preparing myself for what lies ahead tonight.

As soon as Lumi is ready for bed, I gently place her in her crib, pressing a tender kiss to her soft, little head.

"Mommy will see you in the morning, princess. I love you so much." I whisper with a tremble in my bottom lip.

I linger for a few more minutes, watching her peaceful face as she drifts off to sleep. It's hard to shake the pang of emotion and the reluctance of leaving her, especially for the first time. Eventually, I muster the courage to step away and begin preparing for the night ahead.

I start with a quick, refreshing shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the tension of the day. When I step out, dry my hair and I carefully choose an outfit: a sleek, black dress that speaks sophistication and confidence—just as I used to wear for these important meetings. Yet this time, I am not hiding my big baby bump, so I choose something tonight that will outline my curves, nudging my husband to the edge of insanity, hopefully.

After slipping into the tight, black, knee-length dress, I carefully secure the long, velvet sleeves that sit elegantly on my upper arms, highlighting the arch of my breasts. I pause to admire the way the dress contours my figure, its sleek material hugging every curvature.

I then turn my attention to my hair, gathering it into a simple updo. I let two loosely curled strands fall softly over my eyes, adding a touch of elegance. Next, I reach for a pair of diamond drop earrings, slipping them into place. I take a final look in the mirror, adjusting the dress and checking my makeup.

Just as I'm spraying myself with perfume, the doorbell rings, its loud chime echoing throughout the mansion. My heart skips a beat, and I freeze, briefly worried that the sound might disturb Lumi. However, a quick glance at the baby monitor reassures me that she's stayed peacefully asleep. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and make my way downstairs.

When I open the door, I'm greeted by a young man in a sharp suit holding a luxurious bouquet of black and red roses, their petals sparkling with a hint of glitter. My eyes widen in shock as he wordlessly hands them over before turning and walking away. I stand there for a moment, blinking in confusion, before closing the door.

The bouquet is surprisingly heavy as I carry it to the kitchen, where I notice a small, matte black envelope nestled between two of the sparkling buds. Placing the bouquet on the kitchen island, I delicately extract the envelope and open it to reveal a small, black card.

The elegant red script reads,

For My Dark Queen. Welcome Back. - A.

My eyes soften, a hint of moisture welling up as love spreads through my chest, his little bit of darkness, lighting me up inside. I can't help but smile gently, touched by the unexpected gift. Leaning in to inhale the intoxicating scent of the roses, I let my fingertips glide over their delicate, shimmering petals.

Who knew my Arlo Hayes could be a big softy? But this just shows the effort he's putting into us.

As I hear another knock on the door, I glance at my watch and see that it's a bit early for Lil, but it could be her. Slipping into my tall black heels, I walk to the door and open it to find her standing there with a wide, excited smile.

"Hey, sis!" she says cheerfully.

I return her smile, and we share a warm hug. When we pull away, her eyes travel over my outfit, and she gasps.

"Wow, Wren, you look amazing. Hard to believe you had a baby just weeks ago."

I roll my eyes playfully and gesture for her to come inside. "Thanks, Lil. Lumi's asleep, so you've got a few hours to relax before her next feed."

As she steps in, her gaze sweeps around the interior, her eyes widening in awe. "I'll never get over how beautiful your house is. I hope Jasper and I have something like this one day."

The thought of my little sister ever stepping into the Elite world churns my stomach, and I'm unsure of just how much she knows about everything that's happened or Jasper's role in it.

"I'm sure you and Jasper will have something wonderful," I reply, trying to sound reassuring.

I close the door behind us and lead her to the kitchen. As we enter, Lily's eyes fall on the bouquet of roses, and she gasps once more.

"Wow, are these from Arlo?" Lily asks, her eyes wide as she takes in the bouquet.

I smile and nod, scanning at the roses with a loving expression. "Yeah, they are. Aren't they beautiful?"

Lily lifts an eyebrow. "I didn't think Arlo was the romantic type."

I meet her gaze and smile gently. "He shows it in small doses."

We both chuckle, and I check the time on my wrist, noting that I have a bit of time before I need to leave. I walk over to a large vase by the window, lift it, and carry it to the sink, filling it with water.

"So, I thought Jasper was coming here too?" I ask, glancing over my shoulder as Lily settles onto a kitchen stool.

"He will be here soon," she replies. "He's been working with Arlo today."

I notice a hint of sadness in her voice, despite her trying to sound casual. So, she knows Jasper works for Arlo now, but why does she seem so down about it?

I fill the vase halfway with water and then carry it back to the island, setting it down and starting to arrange the roses inside.

"Why don't you seem happy about it, Lil?" I ask, my tone soft but probing.

She shrugs and faces away, closing off, which raises all my red flags.

"Come on, you can talk to me."

"I don't know. He just seems pretty shut off right now. He's not being himself."

I pause, my hands stilling as I place the last rose into the vase. My brows rise but before she looks my way, I act like I am not shocked.

"In what way?" I question gently.

She shakes her head in defeat. "It's probably all in my head."

I can't help but think that the Elite world is likely taking a toll on Jasper, shaping him into something unfamiliar. If Lily doesn't know what he does or what he's involved in, she won't be able to grasp the full picture.

"Maybe he's just tired from work," I suggest. "It's not an easy job."

Lily's eyes flicker with doubt. "But it's only finance, right? How hard can that be?"

That's the moment I truly realize she's not aware at all of Jasper's role or the pressures involved. Unfortunately, I don't have time to explain right now, so I keep my response simple. "It can be very tiring. Arlo isn't the easiest boss to work for."

"Yeah, maybe you're right," Lily accepts, though her tone is still tinged with worry.

I offer her a comforting smile and rise from the stool. "Come on, let me show you where everything is—your room, Lumi's room—and then I really need to get going."

After showing her around and ensuring she's settled, I grab my handbag and slide it up my shoulder as I stand by the front door, ready to head out.

"If you need anything, just call me, and I'll be here in an instant. Sara will drop Cree off in the morning, but me and Arlo should be home by then, hopefully."

"Of course!" Lily responds with a supportive smile. "Now go let your hair down, girl. She'll be fine, and Jasper will be here soon."

I give her a warm kiss on the cheek and pull her into a tight hug. "Thanks, Lil. I really appreciate this."

With one last look, I head out the door, feeling a fusion of excitement and anxiety about the night ahead.

I stride down the long path toward my private car, the setting sun painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and purple. As I approach, the driver opens the rear door for me, but I catch sight of Jasper's car entering through the gates.

I pause, glancing up at Joe. "Give me two minutes."

He nods and closes the door as I make my way toward Jasper, who's just parked his car from a distance. As he steps out, he offers me a small, passive smile—far from his usual cheery demeanor. I can sense the weight of Arlo's influence on him, much like Lily had described. Every time I see him, the more I see Arlo in him a little bit more.

Jasper closes his car door and walks around to stand in front of me. "Lil is inside; I take it?"

I offer him an uneasy smile, glancing back at the mansion. "That's right." I respond.

I turn to look up at him again. "Thanks for doing this tonight."

He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder before passing me. "It's fine; Lumi is my niece too."

As he begins to walk away, I stop him with a gentle hand on his arm. "Jasp…"

He pauses and turns to look at me, his face a blend of curiosity and concern.

"What's wrong? I don't want to act like the annoying big sister and Lil will probably kill me for this, but you were there for me a lot when Arlo was gone, and I consider us family…"

He stares at me, confusion drawn on his face and I close the gap between us, my eyes soft.

"She's told me that you're not quite yourself lately. Is it the job or something else?" I ask, concern clear in my voice.

He lets out a frustrated growl, rubbing his hands up and down his face before pinching the bridge of his nose. "No, it's not just the job; I've got other stuff going on," he admits.

My brows knit together. "And you haven't told Lil anything?" I press, hoping for more clarity.

He shakes his head slightly, his expression resigned. "How can I talk to her when you haven't even told her about you and Arlo?" he retorts.

I sigh and look away, feeling the weight of our situation. "I want you to be honest with her, no matter what," I say before shifting my gaze back to him. "One thing I've learned from being with Arlo is that he needs me to be there for him, not just in conversation… but in other ways too."

Jasper throws his head back with a throaty laugh, catching onto my meaning and I giggle softly before continuing, "Just keep it tame for now—no need for gory details, but you can and should open up to her, Jasp."

He gives me a soft smile before placing his hands in his pants pockets. "It's just been a long year, and I think what happened to Arlo changed us a lot, you know? But it doesn't help that my mom is getting out next week."

I look at him, confused. "Your mom is getting out of where?"

He rubs his chin with his palm, struggling to find the words.

"She's been locked up for in a mental institute for almost five years, Wren."

My eyes relax as I reply lightly. "Sorry, Jasp, I didn't know."

He waves me off with his hand. "It's fine, but maybe you can see why I'm a little tense right now."

I give a small nod of understanding. "Of course. And I'm sure Lil would love to support you through this."

He inhales deeply before giving a sharp nod. I can tell that, like his brother, opening up won't come easily for him; their relationship will face tough times ahead, but it would be so much better if theirs honesty.

"Thanks, Wren," Jasper says, his tone appreciative. "But I'll let you go. It's your first night back, and I don't want Arlo to kill my ass because you're late."

My eyes widen as I glance down at my watch and realize I'm now running late. "Thanks again, Jasp!" I call over my shoulder as I dash past him. I hear him chuckle as I head for the car and slip inside.

I sit at the head of the long table, slouched back in my chair, my elbow resting on the arm as I tug on my bottom lip with my thumb and finger, staring into blank space. The Elites filter in, taking their seats one by one, but my focus remains fixed ahead, waiting for Wren to make her entrance.

As I glance around, noting that everyone is seated except her, I turn my gaze to the clock on the wall. It's unusual for her to be late. Yet, her smart mouth will probably tell me she is fashionably late or some shit. The silence in the room grows thick as the Elites exchange occasional glances, aware that the meeting won't begin until I say so.

She's already crossed a line.

No one is ever fucking late, except for me; she is not an exception just because I love her. Yeah, I plan to press her buttons tonight. Who would I be if I didn't push her to her limits as my partner? She wants to be in the Elite world, but she didn't join while I was here, so let's see how she copes with me breathing down her fucking neck.

I let my tongue piercing slide across my bottom lip, my patience wearing thin as the minutes tick by.

Ten minutes late now.

I can feel the pressure building in my head, ready to boil over, making me want to call her, when suddenly the main door behind me creaks open.

Everyone's attention shifts to the door as Wren finally enters. I stay in the same position, observing everyone's expression. As she walks past me, she brushes her palm across my shoulders in a silent apology. I keep my gaze fixed on her, noting the way her hips and ass sway, and my eyes follow her tanned legs in those high heels until they disappear from view.

She approaches the chair furthest from me, on the other side of the extended table, and pulls it out. She takes her seat while setting her phone on the table. The Elites around us begin to greet her back with murmured welcomes. She offers a modest but stern smile, a hint of the badass side I hadn't seen from her before.

As she settles in, tucking her chair neatly under the table, her brown eyes finally lift to meet mine. Our gazes lock, but there's no acknowledgement of our relationship—no smile, no sign of the dark love we share outside of these walls. It's a strange, detached greeting that speaks volumes, but it kind of makes sense.

The room waits in silence, all eyes on me and I continue to tug on my bottom lip, still focused entirely on her, before finally giving her a slight nod to take charge. She straightens up, her posture now more assertive as she scans the room filled with Elite criminals.

"So, what do you have for me this evening?" she asks.

I watch her handling each Elite with a sharp aura, answering their questions and concerns with ease. When she doesn't have an answer because she hasn't been here, she glances my way, and I respond with the necessary information.

Observing her in this role is fucking jarring. It's as if my view of her has shifted dramatically, and the more I see her throw her power around, the more it churns something dark in me. I'm torn between fierce respect and a raw, animalistic urge to dominate and degrade her. I want nothing more than to shove my entire cock down her throat the more the minutes pass.

Despite her undeniable skill and the respect she's earning in the room, there's a deep, unsettling desire in me to remind her of her fucking place. Beneath me. Always beneath me. It makes me want to strip away her classiness, to remind her of the power I hold over her and always will. The make her remember the slut she is for me when no one is around.

As the Elites start muttering among themselves, Wren and I lock eyes once more. She offers a brief, confident smile before her gaze shifts to her phone. I catch a glimpse of her typing, and just seconds later, my own phone vibrates in my pocket. I raise an eyebrow, intrigued, and reach for my phone, slipping it beneath the table to discreetly check the message.

[Thank you for my roses. They were beautiful. x]

I respond, my jaw tightening as I type:

[Roses? What fucking roses?]

Her reply comes through almost immediately, accompanied by a mischievous smile that I catch from across the table:

[Oh, it must have been my sideman. My bad. x]

I take a deep breath, my gaze shifting to her with narrowed eyes. I catch her smirking, clearly ready for a sparring match, and I'm more than willing to play.

[You got fucking panties on or what?]

I watch as she looks down at her phone screen, her previous confident demeanor slipping into something more vulnerable which does something to my dick. She reclines in her chair, her gaze shifting away from mine, and I can see the slight flush in her cheeks. I have to force back a grin at her reaction as I continue to make her squirm.

[Fuck, you've got me solid under this fucking table. Seeing you like this makes me want to choke the class out of that slut mouth. Remind you who you will always fall to your knees for when you're not playing boss to all these powerful men. They will never know what it's like to see my Wren's big brown eyes filled with tears, so pretty and pleading while her throat is being coated with my cum."

As soon as her phone vibrates, she gazes down at it, her eyes scanning over the words and when she's done, they lift to mine. She takes a hard swallow but decides to not respond or push me any further, but unluckily for her, I want to play our fucked games.

[Rub your cunt out for me. I want you soaking your little panties.]

When she reads the message from the corner of her eye, she acts like she didn't see it and continues to look everywhere but at me. My teeth grind as she disobeys me, so I go to the peak of my assholeness.

[Do it or I'll bend you over this table and fuck you in the ass with the handle of my knife in front of all these motherfuckers.]

She glances at the screen before double-taking, her eyes widening, then she looks straight at me, but I decide to text her again since she's still being stubborn.

[Play with me, slut. Tick fucking tock.], I add.

We stare intensely at one another for a beat before I see her inhale deeply, pursing her lips together, but like my good little girl, she reluctantly lowers her hand beneath the table.

Her movements are subtle; you wouldn't know what she's doing unless you knew, just as I do. Which drives me wild. When her eyes grow heavy and her pouty lips part ever so slightly, I can feel my cock hardening, growing painfully heavy and I have the urge to call this whole fucking meeting off so I can finish her.

I can tell she doesn't stop touching her greedy pussy the entire time, and when it's finally over, I can sense she's on the edge. Everyone stands, but I stay seated and so does Wren, of course.

As soon as the room is emptied, I sit forward, place my palms on the table in front of me, and calmly rise without breaking eye contact with her.

"Don't you dare fucking stop," I command through clenched teeth, the tension in my balls, almost unbearable.

She doesn't; I can see she doesn't. Her hand movements are much more aggressive now that she knows she can touch herself more freely. I stand slowly stride around the long table toward her. When I stop, I squeeze in front of her and lean against the table, my hands in my pants pockets. My eyes rake down her body as she pants heavily until they settle on her hand in her black lace panties.

"You're a bad fucking girl, Wren," I growl, my dark eyes meeting hers quickly. I observe as she bites her red lip, her lashes fluttering as she letting out small moans.

"Show me what you're doing to yourself. Spread your legs wide for me," I demand.

Without hesitation, she lifts one of her legs and drapes it over the arm of her chair, giving me better access to watch her pleasuring herself. I crouch down, lifting my pants as I do, and I reach out, curling my fingers around the thin fabric of her damp panties. I pull them to the side roughly while keeping eye contact the entire time. Then, my focus shifts to her exposed pussy as she rubs the tips of her fingers in circular motions around her throbbing clit.

"Finish me, Arlo, please; I can't do it like you," she begs, breathy and desperate.

"Slide your fingers inside your wet cunt and fuck yourself," I say, pushing her past all the limits that has painfully bound us for months.

When she trails her fingers downward to her wet entrance on my command, I feel my cock leaking in my boxers as she slips two into her pussy. I observe for a bit as she begins to finger-fuck herself, her digits becoming moister with her come with each stroke. I stand calmly between her legs, placing a hand on the back of her chair and quickly snatch her throat, gripping it strongly and tilting her head back.

"Let me taste how wet you are for me," I murmur, my dark eyes locked onto hers.

Without breaking eye contact, she extracts her fingers from her cunt and carefully brings them up toward my lips. I open them, and she slides her come-coated fingers slowly up my tongue. My piercing whirls between them as she massages them up and down my taste buds, evoking a primal darkness inside me.

I suddenly bite down, forcing her to yelp, but I don't release them as I dip my hand between her thighs. I stroke the tips of my fingers roughly and possessively over her drenched pussy before slapping it swiftly, causing her body to jerk.

As I release her fingers from between my teeth, I sink mine deep into her tight cunt without warning, and she lets out a loud cry, her eyes closing and her head falling further back. I force them in as far as I can get them while keeping a firm grip on her throat, testing her boundaries, but she copes and simply spreads her legs wider for me.

"Oh, fuck yes. Just like that, Arlo," she moans, her tone filled with need and relief.

I start pumping my fingers in and out of her, growing aggressive and losing control, anxious to hear the delicious sounds she makes from the pleasure she feels with just my fingers. I study her facial expressions as I perfectly hit her spot, tempting sensual gasps from her lips. I bring mine down near hers, brutalizing her pussy, the sound of her wetness echoing through the room with each strike.

"Your beautiful, classy self sits at the head of this table, all high and mighty, but what arouses me the most is when it's just me and you; you're absolutely powerless," I whisper, my words oozing with dark pleasure.

I kiss her panting lips forcefully before continuing against them. "For me, you're a needy, degraded slut, and I own every inch of you."

I push on her throat harshly as I release it before re-crouching in front of her and lowering my head between her thighs, taking her swollen clit between my teeth before fiercely sucking on it while keeping my fingers thrusting inside her.

She clutches my hair tightly between her fingers, her head thrown back, her chest heaving with laboured breaths, and I can feel her clench around me extremely quickly as she releases an intense moan. I annihilate her during her peak, my tongue and fingers working in perfect, brutal harmony.

Her body trembles, and her cries grow louder, echoing off the walls. Just as she reaches the height of her climax, I quickly pull my fingers out and devour her entire exquisite cunt, my tongue lapping up every drop.

I give her one last, firm lick before rising up her body, and she brings her head forward, fully drowsy. As I invade the space between us, her gaze falls to my lips, and she rests her hands on my neck as we kiss fiercely. Our tongues tangle, the taste of her still fresh on my lips. Her hands grip my neck tighter, pulling me closer as she arches against me, as if she can't get enough and she needs more. I can feel her heart pounding against my chest, her body still trembling from the intensity of her orgasm.

We both pause as a knock on the door shatters the heated moment. Wren swiftly lowers her leg, fixing her dress, while I pull back, irritated. My teeth grins as I lean against the table, my eyes still locked on hers, frustration radiating through me.

"What?!" I shout aggressively.

The door creaks open, and I glance sideways at Dominic, who stands there, calm as ever.

"We need you at the spot, Arlo," he says with an almost urgency.

I barely acknowledge him before my eyes snap back to Wren, who stands between my legs now, staring up at me with that fire in her eyes. A snarl rumbles in my chest as I look down at her, but she isn't fazed. Instead, she glances over my shoulder, addressing Dominic.

"We'll be there soon."

The door closes without another word, and we're alone again. My attention shifts to her body—the tight dress hugging her curves, her big tits rising and falling as she takes a breath. My hands automatically find her ass, squeezing hard, and she lets out a soft sigh, her lips curling into a seductive smile.

"Let's get this over with, and then you can take me somewhere to fuck me hard all night long," she says, giving me the go ahead that she is ready to take me.

Her words send a surge of hunger through me, every dark desire igniting. The thought of bending her over the table right here, right now, nearly drives me over the edge. Without thinking, I lunge forward, aiming for her neck, desperate to taste her perfumed skin.

She laughs, pushing against my chest, throwing her head back, teasing me like she always does. I can feel her writhing against me, driving me mad as I bury my face into the curve of her tits, my tongue trailing over her soft flesh.

"Arlo!" she gasps, her voice half-laughing, half-breathless.

I ignore her protests, my arm wrapping around the middle of her back, pulling her tight against me. My mouth explores every inch of her breasts, biting just enough to make her squirm. But when she pauses, so do I, my eyes flashing upward to meet hers.

"Wouldn't it be better if we went somewhere where nobody can hear my screams?" she asks, her gaze reflecting with a mischievous glint.

Her words snap me back, reminding me of something similar I said to her once and in this moment, I feel like a fucking teenager all over again. A fucking virgin, desperate for pussy. But she's right. This isn't the place. As much as I want to lose control right here, I can't. I can't do what the fuck I want to her here.

With a growl, I force myself to let her go, stepping back even though every fiber of my body screams to keep her close. My breath is heavy, annoyance curling in my stomach as I stand upright, adjusting my clothes. She does the same, and when we're both ready, I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the door.