Page 49 of Four Times Saved

"Of course not." He breathed, rolling onto his back and looking up at the ceiling.

"So, where did you get those?"

"Don't worry about me. Come here." He regarded me and beckoned to me with those dancing gray eyes that have the unique ability to shift to almost any color, and of course, I wandered over to him without hesitation.

I lost my train of thought. What were we talking about again?

He took my hand and settled me on his leg. "Why don't you tell me what's going on in here?"

Eric rubbed his hand through my hair and tightened when his fingers brushed over my stitching. Pulling me closer, he placed several kisses on my temple, though I could feel him tightening.

"You're the one who just escaped something horrible. If anyone needs to be talking, it's you," he grunted.

"Are you switching topics to avoid talking about what happened to you?" I ran my hand over his bruises.

"No. This was something silly, a disagreement that led to an accident between Matt and me. None of us meant it. That's all you need to know. There, I shared mine. Now you..." he offered.

"What do you mean, an accident? That caused that much bruising?" I asked, avoiding the direction he was veering me into.

He sighed. His eyes were as tired as I felt. "You know what? It's alright. Tomorrow, I have a surprise for you. We can talk then." He kissed my shoulder. "Let's go to bed."

"You promise you just let the authorities handle it when you found out my dad was involved?" I asked, laying on my side and curling into a ball.

He moved in, locking his body into mine and wrapping me in his arms. "I promise."

Eric

She snored, losing the fight with the demons who tried to keep her awake. I was dunked in a pool of gratitude from the warmth of her body pressed into my arms, wrapped around her breasts.

Yes, I was aware I had just lied to her, but she didn't need to know that ever since she mentioned

Terry's involvement, I'd been picturing ways to make him pay for what he did to her. Or that as my fingers grazed the stiff stitches in her head, I imagined strangling him.

Let's not forget what I did to his girlfriend's house and how much pleasure I gained from beating the smugness out of his face. I already knew she'd look at me as a monster. She'd always said she loved being with us because we're not aggressive, or violent. I'd held onto peace and self-control for that exact reason, but losing her changed me.

If she knew I wasn't always like a golden retriever, up and ready to go with a smile and positivity, ready to do everything she asked of me, at her beck and call, she'd hate me. That's the Eric she'd always known. That's not the Eric I am. Not anymore. I'm not sure I'll ever be that Eric again. Not fully. Deep down, there's a blackness in my heart that will be there as long as Terry and the other fucker are still walking around.

Sighing into her hair and smiling at the way it tickled my nose, I decided that what she didn't know, wouldn't hurt her. Besides, what we did to Terry is in the past. She's back, she's safe and I have no reason to lose my shit with anyone anymore. As long as I don't have to look at his rat face again. Terry Thornbread will get what he's looking for.

I'd pay money to watch him serve the rest of his life in prison, I just don't want to be in there with him. So everything we've done to him will have to remain a secret. Tyler scared him pretty good, so I doubt he'll say anything to the cops. My stomach turned, thinking about what would happen if Lily found out the truth. I'm not losing her again, no matter what. I'd throw myself at her feet, begging for forgiveness if I had to.

Look, I know a relationship built on lies won't last, but I won't lie to her forever. One day when this is all behind us and she's ready to hear the truth, when we've proven to her that we'd never hurt her, year after year, then I'll confess and hope that all she does is laugh over it. Well, maybe not laugh. But, at least not hate us.

Chapter 25

Terry

Every now and then I peeked through the bedroom blinds, drawn shut over the glass windows which were also locked tight. A car alarm went off earlier and I jumped out of my skin, thinking it might have been a siren. It was only a matter of time until they came looking for me. I wasn't sure what was worse, being found by Lily's guard dogs or law enforcement. I'm an old man, I won't last in prison. My body was still wailing from the beating I got; they'd kill me with one punch to an already damaged organ.

Throwing a bunch of clothes in a garbage bag, I tapped my feet as I waited for my partner to answer my call. My stomach churned and twisted as I watched the news, waiting to hear if they had caught him after Lily was captured. There had been no updates about that and I was hoping I was in the clear. The call rang out without an answer. I couldn't stick around to find out if he'd said anything to the cops.

Bursting through the bedroom door I had kept my girlfriend – now ex – locked out of all night, I stormed past her on the couch.

She jumped awake. "Where the hell are you going?"

"None of your business. You said I should leave. I'm leaving." I searched for the keys.

She huffed and pulled her body up. "You look terrible. It's 3 in the morning."

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