Page 39 of The Eraser

"What changed?" Freddie asks. "A man like him doesn't change."

I press closer to Stephen, needing the support. His hand presses against my back as he holds me tight. "He changed to raping and killing women while tying me to a chair and making me watch." The first night it happened, I wasn't tied up, but I was rooted to the spot, unable to move as he hurt her.

"Christ, baby," Stephen says as he presses a kiss to my head. "Fuck. How much did that cunt put you through?"

"It's over now," Maverick snarls. "He won't get to you again. I promise you, Jess, he'll not touch you."

I sit up, turning to face my cousin. My heart hurts at the sight of his eyes. They're wet and filled with so much pain and anger. "You don't understand," I tell him. "Dad's crazy. He's all about money and power. He hates that you're Jer's second in command, hates that he's been pushed aside. He's told me that I'll never be rid of him, warned me that if I ran, he'd find me. He's not going to stop until he kills me."

I know that deep down. I know with every part of me that my dad hates me, that his final end game is me dying. I just pray that it doesn't happen.

"I've been lined up to become second in command since I joined the gang," Maverick tells me. "Jer's always wanted someone he trusts to take over. He has made it clear since the moment he started the gang that he wanted it to stay within the family. How Thomas thought that meant him is beyond me. Not one member of our family likes him—never has and never fucking will."

Freddie nods. "No one could understand how Patty could stand that cunt." He smirks at Stephen and then glances back at me. "Tell me the names of the men who knew what he was doing to you."

My brows furrow. "Why?" I ask, scared that if I tell him, they're going to kill them. While they deserve to feel pain for what they've done to me, I don't want anyone's death on my conscience.

"Because I'm good at getting information. One of those fuckers must know where your da is, Jessica."

"Oh," I mumble, feeling a little silly. "Paddy, Fergal, and Donal," I tell him. "They were the ones who watched and laughed."

Freddie and Maverick get to their feet, and I'm shocked when Mav walks over to me and presses a kiss to my cheek. "Stay here and try not to make Stephen lose his mind, yeah?"

I grin at the teasing in his voice. "Is that even possible?"

Mav raises a brow. "Where you're concerned, I don't think so." He gives Stephen a chin lift. "I'll call you once I've spoken to Jerry."

I feel Stephen's sigh against my back. "He can come," he says, and I hear the reluctance in his voice. "But in a few days. Right now, I need to make sure Jess is safe and recovered."

Mav nods. "Totally understandable. Now, what about Ma and Callie? They're going to want to know what's gone on."

I shake my head. "No," I say vehemently. "No fucking way." I don't want anyone else to know.

"Look, I get telling Jer," Stephen says. "But Jess doesn't want anyone else to know. We can tell them that he hit her, but let that be it. Nothing else."

"I agree," Freddie says. "Look, had any of them actually taken an interest in Jess over the years other than at family functions, then things could be different, but they didn’t, and that means they don't get to know the ins and outs."

I glance around at the three men, all of whom have an amazing relationship with Auntie Nicola and Callie. I feel so much love by their protectiveness. Something I didn't think could exist. "Please don't ruin your relationships with them."

Stephen's arms tighten around me. "We're not. They just don't get to know what happened to you, baby. That's it."

I bite my bottom lip, my anxiety rising. "They're going to be mad if they find out that I'm here with you," I say as I look up at the only man who’s made me feel safe and the only person to ever incite feelings from me.

He stares at me blankly. "Like I give a fuck," he snaps. "You're mine, Little Dancer, and I'm not giving you up. Not for fucking anyone."

I breathe a sigh of relief at his words. I know that things are moving quickly—probably too quickly—but I like being here with him. And it's not because I'm away from my dad, but because Stephen's the only person I want to be around.

Am I stupid for thinking this way? Probably. But I know what I feel and I'm not going to rush into anything with him. I like being around him and I love the way he watches me, the way he treats me, but most of all, he talks to me like an adult rather than a child.

Once Maverick and Freddie leave, Stephen sets me on my feet. "You've not eaten," he says. "I'm going to show you one room first and then you're going to eat," he says.

I nod, intrigued by what room he could possibly want to show me. He keeps a firm grip on my hand as he leads me down the hall. I realize that this house is a lot bigger than I had thought at first. There are so many rooms I'll probably get lost.

"I have a feeling you'll be spending a lot of time in here," he says thickly as he pushes open the door.

My mouth drops open as I stare at the room. "You built me my own dance room?" I ask, completely shocked but extremely touched by this.

"You love to dance," he says simply. "I love watching you dance. Having this room means you can come here anytime you like."

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