Page 92 of Becoming

“She came on to Cassidy,” Rebecca finished for Cassidy.

Connor barked out a mirthless laugh. “Of course, she did.”

“Yeah, well, that’s when I asked her if she was lying to me. She admitted she was. I threw her out, told her I was done with her.”

Connor’s brows rose. “Don’t tell me she tore your house up after that.”

“No, she threw a brick through the window at my place,” Rebecca said. “Along with a note saying she knew I was Mistress.”

“Damn.”

“She needs help, Connor.”

He looked over at Cass. “And it’s my responsibility to get her help?” He pointed at his eye. “This is what happened when I told her she needed help.”

“It’s not your responsibility to help her, Connor. But help yourself. If you press charges, she could be mandated to get therapy.” Doubt clouded the man’s face. If only she could get his ego out of the way. “It wasn’t until very recently that I came to understand that Samantha’s, my ex, death wasn’t my fault. But a part of me will always wonder what could have happened if I had come forward. Would she have gotten help?” Rebecca shook her head. “You don’t have to live with that burden, Connor. You don’t have to live like this. Take the chance that I didn’t. Please.”

Connor watched Cass pick up Rebecca’s hand and kiss it gently. He stood and walked over to a desk in the far side of the room. Digging a key out of his pocket, he opened a drawer and took out a manila envelope. When he sat back down, he waved it in front of him.

“Divorce papers. I filed a couple of weeks ago when I came close to hitting back.” Connor caught Rebecca’s gaze. “I don’t know if I can do this. You know, the only reason I went to your club was because she needed something “more” out of sex. I loved her enough to try anything. Of course, when she told me our roles wouldn’t be exactly what I thought, I was hesitant.”

“But you did it anyway.”

He shrugged. “At first, I thought it could be exciting. Giving up some of that control. Thing is, she was extremely aggressive from the beginning. The first time it got physical beyond the sex and BDSM she wanted to do things I wasn’t comfortable with. When that information gets out?” He shook his head.

“I have a friend at the police department. He helped me years ago. I can give him a call, have him come here to talk to you himself. If we ask, I’m sure we can convince him to keep it quiet,” Rebecca suggested.

“That’ll last for as long as it takes to get a trial going, right?” Connor opened the envelope. “Maybe I’ll travel. I’ve always wanted to see the world.” He took the contents out of the envelope and handed them over to Rebecca.

Flashes of the horrors she went through with Samantha ran through Rebecca’s mind when she saw the photos. Unable to look at any more, she handed them over to Cassidy.

“Jesus.” Cass swallowed down the bile that threatened to come up. How could Rand do this? “You documented the abuse.”

“Insurance. Rand tells me all the time that if I tried to leave her, she would make sure I lost everything. She would do exactly what she did with you. Accuse me. She said no one would believe me if I told them the truth. She was right. I never planned on using those unless I absolutely had to.” Connor addressed Rebecca again. “Your friend? I’ll talk to only him. Think he can get her sent to a hospital or something?”

“I think he’ll do his best.” Rebecca gave him a small smile.

Cass, on the other hand, was sure of one thing. Miranda would fight tooth and nail before going to a mental hospital.

“You’re not going to press charges?” she asked handing him back the photos.

“I’ll tell my story. But no trial. I don’t want to drag her parents through that shit. If she doesn’t fight spending time in a hospital to get help and signs the divorce papers, I won’t pursue jail time. After that, I wash my hands of this. Of her.” Connor rose from his chair, ready for this night to be over.

Rebecca took his cue and stood as well, bringing Cassidy up with her. “You’re doing a very brave thing, Connor.”

He grunted. “I’m not doing this to be brave. I don’t want to be the stepping stone for other men to feel safe to admit they are being abused. I just want it over.”

“The bruises and scars will fade, but it’ll never stray far from your mind.” Rebecca looked up at Cassidy and smiled. “Until you find someone who takes it away.”

Connor chuckled. It was a weird feeling to smile and laugh. It felt as though he hadn’t done that in a long time. “As great as I think you two are together, I think I’m going to focus on myself for a while.”

“I have the number for a terrific therapist if you’re interested,” Rebecca smiled. “She can even do sessions over Skype no matter where you are in the world.”

“She?”

“I’m sure she could refer you to a very qualified male colleague if you prefer.”

“Nah, it’s good. I’ll, uh, think about it.” He held his hand out to Rebecca, surprised by how strong the elegant hands were. “Thank you. Both of you. You had no reason or responsibility to come here and give me a heads up. Especially after the way I’ve treated you,” he told Cass.

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