Page 102 of Please Save Me

So, instead of melting into him, I allowed my sadness to overcome me. With my face pressed to his chest, I cried in a way I’d long forgotten I could.

It hurt, both physically and emotionally, but Cameron remained patient, smoothing my hair as he let me sob. He didn’t tell me I was being over-emotional, even though I knew I was, and that meant more than he couldeverimagine. I just hoped he’d be as patient with Lucian when they inevitably talked about whatever the hell just happened.

Chapter 32

Cameron

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I'd been woken up by Lucian screaming or if it was really all thanks to my urge to protect Mason. But, I was ready tostranglemy boyfriend for talking to her like that.

Lucian was a hothead. That’s just how he was. But he never so much as raised his voice at Mason. And now that they were apparently engaged, all that had changed. I’d have killed to be able to marry someone I loved without the cult getting involved. But here he was, squandering the chance like the asshole he was.

I waited until Mason literally cried herself back to sleep before leaving the room. Part of me thought if I waited, the anger I harbored toward Lucian would dissipate. Instead, it festered like an open wound.

I found him sitting at the kitchen island with two steaming cups of coffee and his head in his hands. His long, dark hair spilled onto the white marble, hiding his face. Thank God, because I wasn’t sure I could take looking at him.

“You proud of yourself?” I asked, filling the stool beside him.

His fingers tightened in his hair as his breathing stuttered.

“No, Cameron.” The raw edge to his voice took me back for a second. “I’m not.”

My gaze drifted to the analog clock on the wall. It wasn’t even six-thirty, but it felt like today had lasted forever.

“Mason spent the better part of forty-five minutes crying so hard I’m surprised she didn’t throw up.” I reached forward and grabbed the bigger of the mugs, not really caring if it was meant for me or not. “Doctor said she’s supposed to avoid stress right now… It’s bad for the baby.”

“I know, Cam. I know.” His voice broke a little more. “I fucked up.”

“Fucked up?” I snorted. “You hurt Mason.”

“I know,” he repeated. His red-rimmed gaze snapped back to mine as his shoulders shuddered. “I hurt her. I’m her safe person, and I hurt her. I love her more than anyone else in the house, and I. Hurt. Her.”

The pain in his voice slightly softened my anger. “If you love her so much, then why’d you scream at her?”

His lips rapidly opened and shut, almost like he needed to tell me something, but his body wouldn’t let him. His lips pressed into a thin line as he swallowed hard. “I don’t know,” he whispered.

“Bullshit.” I leaned in closer. “You ain’t dumb.”

Lucian used his palm to wipe away what remained of his tears before clearing his throat. “I’m serious. I don’t know. It just–I–I don’t know.”

I chewed on my cheek to prevent myself from saying something I didn’t mean. “So, you think Mason deserved to be screamed at? You just don’t know why?”

“Don’t twist my words,” he snapped. “I said I don’t know why I did it, not that she deserved it.”

“No, but that’s sure as hell what it sounded like!” And if that was his line of thought, she deserved a hell of a lot better.

“I don’t need this,” he grumbled before standing.

“Don’t need what? The truth?” I tried to follow him, but he stopped on his heels.

“To feel worse aboutthis!” He spun around to look at me.

“Oh, so you get to pick how bad you feel, but Mason—“

“I’m trying to make it better!” he argued. “I’m going to the bathroom, getting her breakfast, then pouring my heart out and hoping she fucking forgives me!”

My anger slowly morphed into unrelenting frustration as Lucian stared at me. His shoulders slumped slightly as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Mentally, I counted to ten, trying to give Lucian space to collect himself before I kept pushing.

Once he was ready, he straightened his posture before meeting my gaze.

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