Page 59 of Unravel Me

Jarring?

Jar… what? Jarhead? Maybe he was in the military.

No, damn it, the next letter looks like an 'e'.

I swallow hard. By now I'm staring openly, and Mauro catches me completely fixated on his arm. His eyes lift to meet mine, those beautiful forest-colored eyes…

"Is it…" I blurt out.

He simply waits for me to finish.

"Is it Jared?"

A sad little smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, and then he nods.

"Is that your ex? Jared?"

He slowly shakes his head. There's something so deeply sorrowful in his expression that I decide not to ask any more questions. Who knows what kind of secret is buried behind that tattoo.

Before the silence can settle, the elderly omega, Silvio, suddenly speaks.

"When is Tommy coming to stay with us?"

What, what, what?

I blink at him, completely dumbfounded.

"Tommy. Your son."

I just keep staring. How the hell does he know my son's name? I never told any of them.

"We have an indoor pool, and right next to it there's a little kiddie pool. He'd have so much fun here. Emilio and I would be happy to look after him while you… take care of your business."

I'm still staring at him. The only explanation I can think of is that he overheard my phone call with Alex. But he wasn’t even here! I just have to ask.

"I don't understand… how do you know my son's name?"

"Oh, I know many things. That's simply how I am." The omega smiles charmingly before adding, "Don't hesitate to bring him here. We've got you."

Hm, maybe the old man has dementia and is just rambling, but no one at the table corrects him. They simply keep glancing at me, some with subtle smirks, like Renato and Emilio.

I'm getting pretty irritated because nobody's explaining a damn thing.

"I'm leaving as soon as my heat recovery is over," I say, letting a rebellious edge creep into my voice as I lift my chin.

"Nonsense!" Silvio says in the kind of tone that suggests he knows exactly what's best. "You can stay with us as long as you like."

Heat rushes into my face. Why are these people just letting this old man ramble like this?

I'm a complete stranger who basically wandered out of the woods half an hour ago and ended up on their doorstep, and he wants me to bring my two-year-old child here?

Apparently Silvio isn't the only one who thinks it’s perfectly sane, because Renato chimes in.

"Dad is right. The invitation stands, and you're welcome to bring your son too."

How completely absurd! I can't wrap my head around it.

"But we don't even know each other!" I blurt out nervously.