Page 69 of Between Regrets and Promises (Between Us Trilogy #2)

She lowers her eyes and sucks in air through her nose. “He asked me to wait until the incident report was filed and done.”

“And you didn’t find that…weird?” I cross my arms.

“Mason.” She deadpans because we both know my father.

“I can’t believe you’re on board with this. Look, I hate the guy for what he did and prefer him dead so I never have to worry about him coming after Sophie again, but my father once again got involved when he didn’t need to. He’s so fucking shady and dirty. I can’t get on board with that.”

“Mason, I know…it makes for a hard situation, and I get that. But look at it as a blessing in disguise. You and Sophie can move on for good, without any concern of him. It’s over now.”

“Doesn’t make what he did right,” I say before spinning on my heels and taking the stairs two at a time until I’m in front of the bathroom door, knocking.

“Soph, baby? You okay? Can I come in?” I ask, wanting to be close to her.

“Sure,” she says.

When I walk in, I shut the door behind me, then realize she’s in the bathtub. The curtain is closed so I can’t see her. “You alright?”

“Yeah, just tired and wanted to clean the travel day off me,” she responds, but her sniffling indicates otherwise.

I don’t know how to be what she needs when I sense this wall between us.

I want to hold her, touch her, give her whatever it is she needs right now.

Stripping out of my clothes, I pull the curtain back enough to climb inside behind her.

Sophie stays silent as she moves forward a bit to give me room.

The moment my legs are on either side of her, I grab her shoulders and pull her back to my chest.

Taking the loofah, I lather soap onto it and rub it over her arms. Then her neck, shoulders, and chest. Her head falls back against me as I slowly wash her body. Sophie moans softly as I cover every inch of her exposed skin.

“What’re you thinking?” I whisper in her ear. She’s been so quiet since I picked her up, and I’m worried something’s changed between us.

She doesn’t answer right away. I can tell her mind is spinning with the information about Dalton. I pull her wet hair off her back and put it to one side, exposing her bare neck. Pressing a single kiss to the soft spot below her ear, I smile when she shivers against me.

“Does it make me a bad person that I’m happy he’s dead?” she asks so quietly I almost don’t hear her.

“No. He was a disturbed man who made bad choices that hurt people. Anyone who was affected by him would be glad he’s not here anymore.

” I swallow, deciding to continue. “He put you in danger, threatened both of our lives, and killed two women—and maybe more we don’t know about.

He deserved what happened to him,” I tell her, trying to convince myself that my father did the right thing.

“Their mother already lost one son, and now she’s lost the other. I feel bad for her. Is that weird?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder.

I give her a small smile, rubbing a hand over her cheek.

“No, that’s who you are. Sweet, caring, empathetic.

I can’t imagine a mother’s loss, but what happened to them isn’t anyone’s fault but their own.

Their actions had consequences that ended their lives, and unfortunately, their mother is paying the ultimate price. ”

“It’s weird to feel this way…” Sophie says, bowing her head. “Relieved, guilty, sad. All at once.”

“I know, baby.” I wrap my arms around her. “It’ll get better, I promise.”

Sophie’s truths make me feel torn about everything. The last thing I want is for her to have any remorse for what happened to either of them. They both tried to kill us, but I know that doesn’t dissipate her guilt about Dacia.

We lie in the tub for a few more minutes before she says she wants out. I help her so she doesn’t slip, and she quickly covers up with a towel. There’s a shift in the air, and I hate it. “I think I’m gonna get ready for bed. I’m exhausted.”

“Do you want me to make you something to eat first?” I ask, wrapping a towel around my waist.

“I’m not hungry,” she replies as she brushes her hair. “Thank you, though.”

“Okay.”

I wait until she’s finished, then open the door. Grabbing her hand, I pull her closer and kiss her forehead. “I’m here, Soph,” I remind her. “Let me be here for you.”

Her chest deflates as she nods.

Cupping her face, I press my lips to hers, but she stills. My heart sinks, knowing my sweet Sophie is pulling away.

“I’m sorry,” she says softly.

“For what?” I don’t like the look on her face. In fact, it scares the shit out of me to see her like this.

“I feel like I’m toxic to you. To all of you. I’ve caused so much pain, and the last thing I want to do is cause more for you…” She bows her head.

“Soph, what’re you talking about? You’re not toxic to anyone,” I reassure her, tilting her chin up. “I love you.”

She blinks up at me. “I know you do, and that’s why I can’t jump back into our life the way it was before. Things aren’t the same. We can’t just continue where it left off.”

I inhale a sharp breath and swallow down my heart that’s lodged in my throat.

“We’re stronger together, Sophie.” I grab her hand and cup my palms around it.

“We can take things slow, but you don’t have to go through this alone.

If anything, my past and history make me toxic to you, but you’re the reason I’ve seen life in a whole new light for the first time in years.

I want to do better, be better for you.”

The way she looks at me, I can tell she’s holding back her tears.

“And you’re an amazing man, Mason. It’s why I love you so much.

But I need you to understand where I’m coming from.

I can’t live life pretending nothing ever happened, and that he didn’t touch and hurt me, because what happened has forever changed me.

I need to figure out a way to get through it so I can move forward.

I want to move forward with you.” Her bottom lip trembles.

This isn’t easy for her to say, but it definitely isn’t easy to hear either.

I choke back, not wanting this to be any harder for her.

“Tell me what I can do, Soph. Please.” I’m close to pleading on my knees, not wanting to lose her.

She’s the only reason I look forward to waking up in the mornings.

I rest my head against hers, our breaths mingling together. “I don’t want to lose you. I can’t.”

“I need some time. Figure out my own emotions and clear my head so I can be what you deserve,” she states, her words like cement. “I want us to be together, but I feel so broken right now.”

“I’ll do whatever you need, but I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’ll always be here, and I want to help you through this. So please let me do that at least?”

She nods in agreement. “I’ve got an appointment with my new therapist, Mary, so I can work through everything conflicting in my head. Between Weston and Dalton, I need to process it correctly. I didn’t after the first incident, and I’m afraid I’ll spiral downward if I push it aside again.”

I know she’s right. Deep down, she does need to work through it all, but I wish she wasn’t pushing me away in the process.

“You do what you have to do, sweetheart. I’m here to support you in any way I can, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re all I need.” I press a soft kiss on her cheek, committing to memory the way she feels against me.

I’m prepared for the fight of my life to keep her, no matter the cost.