Page 302 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

“Reuben,” Alex’s voice was harsh and cool, almost aloof. “If I burst in there now, I can have him arrested for breaking parole. If I wait until he’s hit her, and I have proof, I can charge him for assault. A single strike from him may be unsafe, but she is consenting, and I am monitoring her thoughts. Now please, let me put this man inprison.” Alex hung up the phone before either of us could say another word.

We sat in the car speechless for a few moments. Reuben was furious, and I could see his jaw clenching at the knowledge that at this moment, there was another victim in his grasp.

I tried to remember what our first few sessions had been like. “He won’t assault her,” I said. “Not right away.”

“He’s an abuser.”

“He’ll lie to her, gain her trust first. He’ll respect her. He’ll make her trust him. He’ll follow the rules, and he won’t break her consent. With Alex there, stepping in before things can get bad, she’ll have the best possible experience with him.”I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him, or myself.

His voice was nothing more than a whisper. “Alice... if she doesn’t do something by the end of the day, I’m going down there and taking care of this myself.”

“No.”

“Yes, I absolutely will.”

“Scarlett.”

He turned and looked at me, still furious, but fearful.

“Do notgo down there,” I said. “Because if something happens to you...”

I couldn’t finish the sentence, but he knew how it ended anyway.

If something happened to him... What would happen to me?

He left the car.

I felt the tears run down my face and my heart shatter into a million pieces. The betrayal and the abandonment hit me like a punch in the gut. But a moment later, my side of the car opened, and he pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his chest and burying his face in my hair.

“I’m sorry, baby. I won’t go. I’ll stay right here with you. I promise.”

I bit my lip until it bled, trying desperately not to erupt in anguish and fury, but it wasn’t working.I have no choice. I have to let it pass. I have to feel it. I have to let this kill me.

So I surrendered to it, and cried and screamed until my throat was hoarse and my head was pounding. My hands were balled up into fists, and I struck him in the chest over and over, furious and hurt that he could make me feel this way.

But I hated myself more for letting my heart feel things again.

Eventually my tears subsided, and he pushed me far enough away from him to be able to meet my eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

I nodded.Me too.

“What do you need?”

“I want to go home.”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry, I know you wanted to see your friends–”

“It’s okay. Can I go inside and get you some water, first?”

“Why do you always make me drink so much damn water!”

“Well, you do cry a lot.”

I groaned and rolled my eyes as dramatically as possible, mostly to break the tension as thick as a milkshake between us. “Fine, I guess you’re right... but not too cold, it gives me a headache.”

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