Page 83 of Monsters

“I met with the detectives that afternoon and discussed everything I’m telling you now. I couldn’t let Mason continue wreaking havoc in my life.”

“Did you tell them anything?”

“Yes. But the only reason why I hadn’t beforehand was because of you. I couldn’t bring myself to incriminate you in anything. Mason had a way of dragging people down with him. They assigned me an ex-SWAT to look after me. His name is B, and he isn’t much of a conversationalist.”

“Where is this B now?”

“At the end of the drive.”

“Jesus, Gemma!” Lucas rose to his feet and recommenced the pacing. “All this was happening, and I wasn’t there for you. All this time my own brother, since we were teenagers, had been hurting you right under my nose.”

“This isn’t your fault, Lucas.” I too got to my feet and wrapped the blanket around my torso. “Mason had everything planned out. He played on my fears and knew how to hurt me. In a way, he was protecting you.”

“No, he wasn’t, Gem. So please don’t bother spinning that story with me. I missed all the cues. I missed all the nights you were in bed crying because of what he’d done to you. I missed being your protector because all that time he claimed to be my protector from everything that was going on at home.” He took a step forward, his fingers running along the scar tracing the letters.

“He did this to you. My own brother almost raped you and carved into your beautiful skin. Gem…” his forehead touched mine, tears streaking down my cheeks, “… will you ever forgive me?”

“I don’t need to forgive you, Lucas. I kept quiet about it. It was my choice to not say anything. I dealt with it the best way I could. But we have to face the current problem. Mason will eventually find out I’m here and who knows what he’ll do.”

“He can come. I welcome it. He and I have a score to settle.”

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