Page 4 of Giving It to the Monster

As he was about to leave, his father’s laughter had him stopping and turning back around. “Do you really think she’s going to want you when she knows who you really are?”

“Who am I?” Saint asked.

“A monster, just like me.”

“I’m not going to run her off, and I certainly wouldn’t let her take my kid.”

The smile on his father’s face disappeared.

In the beginning, Saint and his father had gotten on perfectly, no complaints. With every year that passed, his father got colder, harder, meaner, and living with him had become a nightmare. Saint’s only solace was going to stay with Natasha. It was easier when they were younger. Now, her father wanted him gone by ten every single night. Saint would leave the house, wait half an hour, and climb into her bedroom window. Nothing was keeping him from his girl.

Without waiting for a response from his father, he grabbed his bag, and walked all the way toward Natasha’s house. She was alone, and the gasp she released didn’t make him feel any better.

“What the hell happened to you?” she asked, pulling him into the house.

“Dad.”

“He’s an animal, Saint. Why do you do it?”

“It’s nothing.” I do it so I can stay with you.

“It’s not nothing. This is really something, and he shouldn’t be getting away with it.”

He shrugged.

“Was it always like this?” she asked.

“No. Since Mom left with Elena, he’s slowly gotten worse.”

Natasha pushed him into a chair in the kitchen, and grabbed the first aid kit that she kept on hand. She pulled out some anti-bacterial wipes and started to clean up his face.

“You should report him. At least then you’d go and live with your mom.”

“She didn’t want me, Nat. I heard them arguing, and she said I was a monster. She only wanted Elena.”

“The woman is a bitch. You love Elena. What does she think she’s doing?” Natasha sighed.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.”

“If I reported him, and Mom didn’t take me, I’d end up in the system. I’d rather stick with him the next three years, and then I’m on my own anyway.”

Natasha cupped his face and forced him to look at her. “I want you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“No matter what that club offers you, or what your father does, don’t let it change you, Saint.”

“It’s never going to change me.”

She wouldn’t let him go. “Promise me!”

Staring into her green eyes, he saw the fear looking back at him. She was clearly scared, and he couldn’t stand to see her scared. “I promise, Nat.”

Natasha nodded, leaned in and kissed him. He loved her so damn much. There was no way he was going to change.

****

---