Page 125 of Die for You

The faux imploring, pleading glint in Monica’s eyes starts to fade. The beginning of her transformation back into the girl she really is. Vindictive, spiteful, sadistic.

“Whatyoudeserve is a prison cell. And that’s exactly what you’re going to get.”

Monica’s expression morphs fully into cool rage, and that split-second of warning is all I get before she swings at me, fingers curled like a claw.

I catch her wrist before she can make contact. Before she can hit me like she has so many times before.

Her gaze practically spits fire. “I wish I had never wasted a single second of my time on you.”

I laugh mirthlessly, which only deepens her scowl. “I wish you hadn’t either.”

Behind me, Aurora’s sniffles make my chest squeeze. Monica did this to her. I can’t wait to see her finally suffer some consequences for her actions, but I wish Rory hadn’t gotten roped into it.

To Damien, I nod. “Take over.”

I’ve said all I need to say to Monica Jones. I’m done with her. I hope I never have to see her fucking face again.

Without hesitation, Damien spins Monica, pins her arms together, and presses her up against the wall like a cop. She screeches out a protest, but we ignore her.

I tug Aurora out of Finn’s grasp and drop to my knees in front of her. A hot tear spills down my cheek. Bags under her eyes, skin too pale, hair ragged, ankle swollen—she’s been through so much. A whole lifetime of shit since her parents died. “I’m so sorry, Rory.”

She’s bloody and bruised, and she’ll have more scars after tonight than what’s visible. I kiss each of her fingertips crusted with dried blood, her wrists where bright red marks are embedded into her skin, her palms that are clammy with cold sweat.

Aurora clutches my head to her soft stomach, running her fingers through my hair. Impossibly, even through her dissipating sobs and sniffles, she’s the one comforting me. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You found me. I’m right here.”

I wrap my arms around her. I’m never letting her go again.

Outside, sirens wail from nearby. Monica’s rage is replaced with fear. She tries to squirm in Damien’s hold, but it’s useless. To herself, she mutters, “How did they get here so fast?”

I smile. My first genuine smile in days. “I called them on the way here.”

Chapter 37

Aurora

The crabby nurseis back to dabbing at my face in the hospital. This time, I don’t give her any attitude.

As soon as Monica was arrested, the paramedics brought me to the hospital, the Devils in tow. My ankle is fractured, but according to the doctor, the fracture is minor and stable. All I need is a walking boot to immobilize my ankle while it heals.

Even better, Monica is facing a slew of charges, and the odds of her spending any meaningful time behind bars are pretty good.

If I hadn’t managed to escape, if the Devils hadn’t found me, would they ever have found my body? Or would Monica have managed to dispose of my body and get away with the crime? The Devils would’ve spent the rest of their lives wondering what happened to me after I ran from them.

Even imagining it makes me nauseated. This shit could’ve gone so,somuch worse. I’m lucky I made it out of there alive.

Knox has finally escaped his abuser. And so have I. We’re both finally getting some justice.

Barb called me on Jeremiah’s behalf to let me know that he won’t be pressing charges against the Devils. She’s not happy about it, and she’ll insist on pressing charges if an incident likethat ever happens again. As long as Jeremiah keeps his distance, it won’t.

Even after the nurse finishes attending to me and leaves the room, the Devils’ brows are still furrowed.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurt. “For leaving. I thought you deserved better than dealing with all my problems and bullshit. I thought if I left...”

Finn catches my hand and shakes his head.

“You havenothingto apologize for, Rory.” Knox sits on the hospital bed with me and squeezes my knee. “Nothing.”

“And you better never leave us again,” Damien warns.