Page 45 of Scarred Sins

“I’ll be back soon,’’ I promised. “I’ll get you out of this place. I’ll be waiting for your response.’’

I approach the window, and it seems as if the security is rushing toward this room. They probably either realized some of their comrades went missing or they found them inside. Either way, it’s time for me to get out.

“Wait!’’ Zoe’s name stops me in my tracks. “What’s your name?”

“I’ll tell you next time.’’

I only have the chance to get rid of one guard once I’m outside, and I’m not rushing to end them immediately. Instead, I focus on finding Dad’s car, which is parked a little down the street.

He doesn’t speak for the duration of the car ride, and I don’t stir up a conversation, either. He’s miles away, deep in thought, and it’s not until we reach home that he finally reveals everything.

Of course, firstly, Mom scolded me like I’m some sort of a high schooler who sneaked out of the house past curfew. She scolded Dad, too, and I think he’s sleeping on the couch for a few nights.

Mom makes us some warm tea, and Dad lays it all out on the table.

Not once in a million years did I think this was how the night was going to end.

While I was playing poker with Adams, Dad was following the other man, and he gathered quite a bit of information on him. Thanks to a lot of connections he has, Dad was able to get the DNA sample back quickly, and it’s nothing any of us could’ve anticipated.

“Is this real?”

Dad nods, looking at me from the side as Mom and I both lean in, reading the words carefully, then slowly moving to watch some of the security footage Dad got his hands on.

“How the fuck did he hide himself so well? And why?”

“I don’t know.’’ Dad sighs. “Are you going to tell her?”

“Eventually? Yeah. I’ll wait for a good time.’’

“Tell what to whom?” Mom interrupts, brows narrowed in confusion.

I don’t get the chance to fill her in, and with a nod to Dad, I kiss the top of her head and leave the basement, rummaging through their fridge for some homemade food before my departure.

If my assumptions are correct, Blair is still awake and hasn’t eaten since the two hamburgers earlier today. I’m not about to let my butterfly starve, and aside from a few simple dishes, I hate cooking. Surprisingly, I am good at it, and Blair seems to like it.

My thoughts drift off as I get the car going, speeding into the night.

This isn’t a coincidence.

After years and years of me waiting and then finally deciding it’s time to show myself to Adams, that man appears? Out of thin air, at that?

How the fuck am I supposed to tell Blair that I accidentally found her biological father?

THIRTEEN

Arlo’s victory was short-lived because Arson, the little traitor, has decided to return to me. Instead of spending time with Arlo and purring around him, she’s back in my lap most of the time, or sleeping next to me in the bed.

By the time he returned from his little outing, as he called it, it was past midnight. At that I started getting slightly worried. I’m not exactly sure why, given how long I’ve known him, but as minutes ticked away, the nagging feeling of something being wrong wouldn’t go away.

“Where the hell have you been?’’ The accusatory tone slips into my tone the moment Arlo steps into the living room.

A grin spreads on his face. “Why? Were you worried about me?”

I scoff. “Nonsense. I just don’t want you dead.’’

“That would be a sign of worry, butterfly.’’

To avoid the topic altogether, I focus on something else. My eyes find the bag he’s holding in his hands, and I can’t help but question it.