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“What?” I answer without moving.
“His parents won’t come after Liam or you. It’s over.”
While that should be a relief, it causes my stomach to knot. Anything my father is involved in is never good. He more than likely paid them off to stay away. I should be relieved, but nothing my father does is ever selfless. He’ll want me to pay him back someday, and it won’t be anything good.
“You’re welcome.” His final words are said before he opens the door and slams it behind him.
Just as I’m about to climb the stairs to check on Sophie, Serena and Liam come into the living room.
“So?” Liam arches a brow. I know exactly what he’s asking without exchanging words. He wants to know if my dad was involved and confirmation that it wasn’t a case of happenstance.
Inhaling a defeated breath, I nod. “Yeah.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m sorry he’s dead. After what that bastard did, he deserved it.” Liam shrugs, then takes his beer and bag of chips to the couch with him.
“So why’d you wait two days to tell me?” I ask Serena.
She lowers her eyes and sucks in air through her nose. “He asked me to wait until the incident report was filed and done.”
“And you didn’t find that…weird?” I cross my arms.
“Mason.” She deadpans because we both know my father.
“I can’t believe you’re on board with this. Look, I hate the guy for what he did and prefer him dead so I never have to worry about him coming after Sophie again, but my father once again got involved when he didn’t need to. He’s so fucking shady and dirty. I can’t get on board with that.”
“Mason, I know…it makes for a hard situation, and I get that. But look at it as a blessing in disguise. You and Sophie can move on for good, without any concern of him. It’s over now.”
“Doesn’t make what he did right,” I say before spinning on my heels and taking the stairs two at a time until I’m in front of the bathroom door, knocking.
“Soph, baby? You okay? Can I come in?” I ask, wanting to be close to her.
“Sure,” she says.
When I walk in, I shut the door behind me, then realize she’s in the bathtub. The curtain is closed so I can’t see her. “You alright?”
“Yeah, just tired and wanted to clean the travel day off me,” she responds, but her sniffling indicates otherwise.
I don’t know how to be what she needs when I feel this wall between us. I want to hold her, touch her, give her whatever it is she needs right now. Stripping out of my clothes, I pull the curtain back just enough to climb inside behind her. Sophie stays silent as she moves forward a bit to give me room. The moment my legs are on either side of her, I grab her shoulders and pull her back to my chest.
Taking the loofah, I lather soap onto it and start rubbing it over her arms. Then her neck, shoulders, and chest. Her head falls back against me as I slowly wash her body. Sophie moans softly as I cover every inch of her exposed skin.
“What are you thinking?” I whisper in her ear. She’s been so quiet since I picked her up, and I’m worried something’s changed between us.
She doesn’t answer right away. I can tell her mind is spinning with the information about Dalton. I pull her wet hair off her back and put it to one side, exposing her bare neck. Pressing a single kiss to the soft spot below her ear, I smile when I feel her shiver against me.
“Does it make me a bad person that I’m happy he’s dead?” she asks so quietly I almost don’t hear her.
“No,” I respond immediately. “He was a disturbed man who made bad choices that hurt people. Anyone who was affected by him would be glad he’s not here anymore.” I swallow, deciding to continue. “He put you in danger, threatened both of our lives, and killed two women—and maybe even more we don’t even know about. He deserved what happened to him,” I tell her, trying to convince myself that my father did the right thing.
“Their mother already lost one son, and now she’s lost the other. I feel bad for her. Is that weird?” she asks, glancing at me over her shoulder.
I give her a small smile, rubbing a hand over her cheek. “No, that’s just who you are. Sweet, caring, empathetic. I can’t even imagine a mother’s loss, but what happened to them isn’t anyone’s fault but their own. Their actions had consequences that ended their lives, and unfortunately, their mother is paying the ultimate price.”
“It’s weird to feel this way…” Sophie says, bowing her head. “Relieved, guilty, sad. All at once.”
