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“That’s because you choose to see the best in everyone, baby. Don’t let him make you second-guess who you are, you hear me? You’re compassionate, and he used that to his advantage. He’s a piece of shit who’s going to prison for a long ass time. I’ll make sure of it,” I promise.
Bringing her closer, I kiss away the tears along her cheeks before bringing my mouth to hers for a tender kiss. I wish I could take all the pain away and pretend none of this happened. Losing Sophie would end me for good.
“He killed her,” Sophie mutters after a while. “That’s my fault.”
Blinking, I pull back slightly to study her expression. “Who?”
Her eyes widen, and she looks at me. “Dacia,” she chokes out, the tears taking over again.
Shock pulses through me as I try to wrap my head around what she just said. “How do you know?”
“He told me. She was getting in his way of having me all to himself. I’m the reason Dacia’s dead,” she says with a shaky voice.
Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep breath, trying to control myself. I’d love to get him in a ring and punch his fucking lights out. He’s a suspect in the murder his wife only five months ago, and now he’s killed another innocent woman. I have no doubt he would’ve killed me or Sophie, or both.
“No, sweetheart. Dalton is the reason she’s dead,” I say, trying to reassure her, though I know it won’t help. Nothing anyone could’ve said would have changed how I felt about Emma’s death, and I know it’ll feel the same for Sophie. “I know you feel guilty, but you couldn’t have known what his plans were or how he was going to hurt her or you. That fucker is gonna wish Liam killed him because now he’s going to prison for two murders and attempted murder on top of kidnapping. He’s never going to be able to touch you again.”
I cradle her in my arms, needing her as close as possible. The what-ifs haunted me, threatening to break down my barrier of strength. I need to be strong for her so she can get through this, knowing it won’t be easy either way.
What if we hadn’t gotten there on time?
What if we hadn’t found her?
What if he’d shot her?
What if he’d shot Liam, Hunter, or myself?
The what-ifs are what will suffocate and choke me for a long ass time.
“The police will be waiting for our statements,” I tell her after a few minutes. “If you’re not ready, I’ll tell them to come back. They can wait.”
And they can. I’ve worked dozens of cases throughout my internship where witness statements weren’t collected for days or sometimes even weeks. They won’t push her as long as I demand they back off.
“I want to tell them everything,” she says. “Make sure they find Dacia’s body, make sure he goes to prison, make sure I don’t forget any detail that’ll keep him away from me. I’ll testify against him and do whatever it takes.” Her lips tremble, and that’s when my own dam breaks. Hearing how strong she wants to be to get justice for her friend and herself has my vision blurring with tears. Fuck, I hate that bastard for doing this to my girl and wouldn’t blink if he magically died on the way to the ER.
“Whatever you want to do, baby. I’ll be here with you. I’m not going any-fucking-where.”
Sophie tries to wrap her arms around my neck, but winces before she can reach high enough. I grab her hands and hold them to my chest instead as I lean down and rest my forehead against hers. “I know. I know.” She brings our lips together for a deep, tender kiss, and it’s exactly what I needed to feel her strength. “Will you say it again, Mason?”
Blinking, I study her face, wondering what it is she wants to hear. Then I see the way she pulls in her bottom lip and looks at me, and I know.
Lifting the corners of my mouth, I flash a small smile. “I love you, Sophie. So. Goddamn. Much.”
Then she gives me the softest, sincerest look as she repeats those very words to me. “I love you too, Mason.” If two people’s hearts could beat to the same rhythm, at the same pace, in the same melody, it’d be ours.
I fight back a goofy smile, but hearing her say that to me is a moment I want to stamp into my memory forever. She’s changed everything for me, and there’s no way I’d go back to the shell of a man I was before she sparked life back into my soul.
Once we’re out of the shower, I help her dry off before wrapping the towel around her body. After I finish drying myself, I carry her to my bed. She could walk, but I know it’s painful for her. I quickly put on shorts and a T-shirt before heading downstairs to her room and grabbing the comfiest clothes I can find, then head back to my room and help her get dressed.
