Page 68 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

MASON

This past week without Sophie has been lonely as hell.

I know why she wanted to go and knew it’d be good for her to get away, but I’ve missed her like crazy.

Walking into her empty room and knowing I couldn’t climb into bed with her was harder than I anticipated.

All I want to do is protect her from everything and everyone, and it’s easier when she’s close, but she’s safe with her parents.

Luckily, I’ve had to work all week, and afterward, I spent my free time in the gym.

It’d been a while since I’ve boxed with my trainer, and I utilized this time to kick his ass.

After catching Tyler up on the latest events, he didn’t even chastise me for being weaker than usual.

Though, after a few sessions, I was able to finally beat him fair and square.

I’ve kept in contact with the officers to get updates on Dalton, but I’m still waiting for him to be transferred to the jail from the hospital.

Of course my father got in my business as soon as he was informed and gave me shit for being involved in yet another scandal.

Surprisingly, he hasn’t blamed me for threatening his reputation like he usually does.

This was obviously different from the Weston incident, but considering both are from the same family, I expected him to chew my ass.

Today I finally get to pick up Sophie from the airport, and I’m so damn excited to have her in my arms again.

She texted and called every day, letting me know what she’s been doing and how she talked with a professional counselor there from her father’s church.

I’m happy she spoke to someone and that she plans to continue when she’s back home.

I wish I would’ve suggested it after Weston so she wouldn’t have the weight of it all burdening her.

Knowing Sophie, though, she does things on her own terms and can’t always be persuaded.

The moment I see Sophie on the escalators coming down to the baggage claim, I light up like a kid on Christmas morning. She looks ten times better than when she left, and she even smiles when she spots me.

Rushing toward her, I don’t stop until I scoop her up in my arms. “Oh my God, I missed you so much,” I say into her hair.

“I missed you too.”

I pull back slightly, cup her face, and capture her lips. She kisses me back but then breaks away a moment later. It’s then I remember we aren’t alone and people are walking all around us. Leaning my forehead against hers, I breathe out a sigh of relief. “So damn happy you’re back.”

“Me too,” she says, swallowing tightly.

I grab her hand and lead her to the carousel to grab her bag. Once we’re in the car, I reach for her hand and realize she’s quieter than usual.

“Everything okay, babe?” I ask as I pull onto the highway.

She nods. “Yeah, just tired.”

I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “We’ll be home soon, sweetheart.”.

The moment I pull into the driveway, I know shit’s about to hit the fan. Serena’s car is here.

And so is my father’s.

Motherfucker.

Of all days for them both to come over, they chose today.

“Why are they here?” she asks as I grab her suitcase from the back.

“That’s a goddamn good question,” I grit between my teeth. “I’m sorry, Soph. I know having people over is probably the last thing you wanted when you got home.”

She swings her backpack on and shrugs. “It’s okay. Not your fault.”

I lead her into the house, open the door, and when we walk into the living room, I notice my dad and Serena sitting on the couch. When they see me, they both stand. Liam’s in the recliner, looking uncomfortable as hell. I glare at him, silently thanking him for the non-heads-up.

Shrugging, he smirks and brings his attention back to the TV.

“Hey, what’re you two doing here?” I ask, looking at my father. I don’t mind Serena being here, who’s come over a couple of nights this week to hang out, but my dad isn’t one for popping in .

Looking at Sophie, I notice she’s uncomfortable and offer to carry her stuff to her room for her.

“No, it’s fine. I can do it.” She takes her bag and walks to her room off the living room.

“It’s about Dalton,” Serena begins as soon as Sophie’s through her bedroom door.

I brush a hand over my jaw, inhaling a deep breath. “What about him?” I look back and forth between them, noticing the tension.

Before Serena can respond, my father shoves his hands in his slacks pockets, and blurts, “He’s dead.”

Blinking, I’m too stunned to speak, and before I can open my mouth, Sophie gasps from behind me. “What?” The three of us turn toward her, and I notice the color has drained from her face.

“Soph…” I don’t know what to say, so I stop myself. I hold out a hand, but she doesn’t take it as she walks closer. We direct our attention back to my dad and Serena.

“Are you sure?” she asks softly.

My father and Serena both nod.

“How? What happened?” I ask.

“Does it matter?” My dad scoffs. “The bastard who tried to kill you and your friends is dead. That’s all that matters.”

“It matters to me,” Sophie retorts. “How’d he die?”

Serena swallows hard, looking down at her shoes, and I can tell something’s off. “Serena, what is it?”

“Two guards were transferring him from the hospital to take him to get processed at the jail. He was supposed to have his hearing next Monday to get officially charged. Then he would’ve stayed there while waiting for trial,” Serena explains.

“Right…” I know how it all works. “So then what happened between leaving the hospital and going to the jail?”

“There was a struggle during the transfer,” my father starts. “He reached for the guard’s gun and started fighting him. The other guard tried to get control of the situation and meant to tase him.”

I narrow my eyes, not buying any of this. “ Meant to tase him?” I probe, crossing my arms over my chest.

“He was startled and grabbed his gun instead and shot him,” he continues. “There wasn’t anything they could do. The gunshot was right in his chest. He bled out.”

Looking at Sophie, she’s expressionless. I’m not sure what she’s thinking and don’t want to ask with other people around. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into my side, her breathing uneven.

“You okay?” I lean down and whisper.

Liam walks over before she can answer. “So let me guess, the Westbrooks are gonna come after the state for a wrongful death suit?”

“Possibly,” my dad answers though he doesn’t look the least bit worried. In fact, he looks like he’s already handled it. Handled them .

My jaw tightens. The events surrounding Dalton’s death are suspicious as fuck, and knowing my dad’s connections, this no longer sounds like an accident.

“If you’ll excuse me…” Sophie walks around me and goes upstairs. As soon as the bathroom door shuts, I step closer to the monster of a man in front of me.

“What’d you do?”

“Why do you assume I had something to do with this?” He asks it so casually, and it’s all the answer I need to know he’s responsible.

Liam grabs Serena’s attention and they both take off toward the kitchen. Things were tense between us before, but now they’re about to snap.

“You called the hit, didn’t you? How many prisoner transfer deaths have there been?”

“At least a dozen since I’ve been the DA,” he responds. “It’s not that uncommon. It happens.”

“Quit your shit,” I growl. “Why’d you do it?”

I don’t need him to admit it for me to know the truth. I just want to know why.

My father leans in, clenching his jaw as he lowers his eyes at me.

“You should be thanking me,” he hisses, his voice low and guttural.

“As long as he was alive, he’d always have the opportunity to fight for bail, parole, or take an insanity plea.

Hell, you know the justice system is fucked.

Why do you think I’m constantly stepping in to protect you? ”

“Protect me?” I glare. “Or protect your reputation?”

“Both,” he admits shamelessly. “Now you don’t have to worry about anything. I did that for you, son.”

I scoff. This man is unbelievable. “You mean you did it so there’s another thing you can rub in my face, hold over my head, and use to try to control me. You should’ve let the system take care of him. He murdered a woman. He would’ve had to do his time.”

“You and I both want to believe that, but there are too many people who slip through the justice system. It would’ve pulled you and Sophie back into court to continue fighting. Is that what you would’ve wanted? For her ?” he challenges, and it causes my hands to ball into fists.

“Don’t…” I warn at the mention of her name. “You might be able to live with having blood on your hands, but I can’t. Not anymore.”

“And what’s that mean, Mason? You have more blood on your hands than I do,” he nearly spits in my face before shoving me aside and walking toward the door. My feet stay planted, not wanting to give him another glance. “Oh, and Mason?”

“What?” I answer without moving.

“His parents won’t come after Liam or you. It’s over.”

While that should be a relief, it causes my stomach to knot. Anything my father is involved in is never good. He more than likely paid them off to stay away. I should be relieved, but nothing my father does is ever selfless. He’ll want me to pay him back someday, and it won’t be anything good.

“You’re welcome.” His final words are said before he opens the door and slams it behind him.

Just as I’m about to climb the stairs to check on Sophie, Serena and Liam come into the living room.

“So?” Liam arches a brow.

I know what he’s asking without exchanging words. He wants to know if my dad was involved and confirmation that it wasn’t a case of happenstance.

Inhaling a defeated breath, I nod. “Yeah.”

“Well, I can’t say I’m sorry he’s dead. After what that bastard did, he deserved it.” Liam shrugs, then takes his beer and bag of chips to the couch with him.

“So why’d you wait two days to tell me?” I ask Serena.