Page 75 of Every Breath

She cried long and hard, her body shaking. He rocked and soothed her, kissing the top of her head. “Shh.”

She looked up at him with a tear-streaked face. “Damon?”

“Yes, it’s me, but I’m Mason now. It’s part of the conditions for coming back.”

“I knew there was a reason why you always seemed so familiar to me. Oh, my God, why didn’t you tell me who you were? I missed you so much.”

“I couldn’t tell you. Would you have believed me?”

“I…I guess not, but it was always there in your eyes. You always seemed to know how to touch me, and what I liked. I’ve no more doubts about who you are. Why did you wait two years?”

“Well, actually, it doesn’t usually work this way. Once you’re gone, you’re gone, but I cut a deal with Peter. I mean St. Peter.”

“You know him?” She sounded impressed.

“Yes. I couldn’t let you go through with your engagement. I didn’t know how crazy Rodney was until the night he shot me.”

“I began to suspect that things weren’t exactly right with him around the time we got engaged, or rather around the time he tricked me.” She shuddered. “I didn’t actually realize he was insane until I saw this room.”

“It took this to make you realize it?”

“You have to remember how long he was in our lives. He had you fooled, too. Now that I think about it, I know he probably trashed our house. Oh Dam—I mean Mason. Why me? Why did he have to pick me?”

“Who knows what runs through the mind of a psycho.”

“I love you so much. Wait until I tell the kids.”

Mason shook his head. “No. You can never tell them.”

“Why?”

“I’m Mason now. For all intents and purposes, the Damon you knew no longer exists.” His heart broke at her crestfallen expression. “Baby, we’ll talk about this when we get out of here. Let’s go.”

“Yes, and the sooner we call the police the better.”

He was about to usher her out of the room when Brandi screamed. “Mason, look out!”

Rodney was upright again, but this time he was holding a gun aimed at the both of them.

“Ha! Looks like you forgot something about me. I always have a gun strapped inside my pants.” He laughed wildly. “You’re not taking her away from me, motherfucker!” There was no doubt about it, all vestiges of Rodney’s sanity was gone.

He pulled the trigger and to Mason’s horror, Brandi lunged at him. “I can’t lose you again, Damon,” she said as she jumped in front of him.

“No!” Both men cried out as Brandi fell to the floor.

No! No! No! This wasn’t supposed to happen! Not to Brandi!

Rodney looked at him with loathing. “That bullet was meant for you!” he screamed. “You’re going to pay for this!”

Mason rushed forward, not caring whether he lived or died anymore. Rodney pointed the gun again and attempted to fire.

Nothing.

Mason tackled him to the ground and they wrestled for the gun. He punched Rodney’s mouth and was sure that he’d cracked a few teeth, and his knuckles in the process. Mason grabbed Rodney’s wrist and slammed it continuously on the floor until he released the gun, which went flying across the room. When Mason made an attempt to get it, Rodney gave him an uppercut that sent him backwards. Rodney took advantage of his stunned state and straddled him. He grabbed a handful of his hair.

“I’m going to enjoy killing you…again,” he said, slamming Mason’s head into the floor. He then seized Mason’s throat and began to squeeze.

Mason gasped for air as he began to lose consciousness. No, he couldn’t let Rodney get away with what he’d done. He reached for Rodney’s throat.

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