Page 53 of The Monsters Within

“I’m not any of those things,” she whispered.

“Say it.” My grip on her chin held firm as she tried to look away. Resting my forehead against hers, I whispered, “Say it.”

She closed her eyes. Her voice was softer than the flap of a butterfly’s wings. “I’m strong, courageous, and independent.”

I kissed her lips. “Say it again.”

Her bottom lip quivered. “I’m strong, courageous, and independent.”

“Louder, baby.”

More tears fell as she lifted her voice to a whisper. “I’m strong, courageous, and independent.”

“Let me hear that sexy voice, Rosie.”

“I’m strong, courageous, and independent.” This time, her voice trembled as she said the words louder.

“I will make you say those words every fucking day until you believe them.”

Then I kissed her.

Hard.

When I pulled back, I looked into her eyes, which shimmered with tears she hadn’t shed.

“I fucking love you. Nothing is going to change that. Do you hear me, Rosie? Nothing.”

“You really mean that?” she asked, her voice laced with fear, and suddenly I got it. So many people in her life had left her.

“I fucking mean it, baby. I’m never letting you go.” I pressed my lips against hers. Softer this time. More sensual. I wanted her to believe the words, but I knew it would take time. She would learn to trust me, though. I was patient when it came to her.

“Baby, you have to talk to Torment.”

“Cash, I can’t.” She tried to get up, and I pinned her to the bed.

“You have to tell him why you were hurting yourself again. Nothing you tell him will make me leave, Rosie, I promise you that. But, baby, it broke my heart to hear you screaming. To see you hurting yourself.”

“Wait, how did you see me?”

Now was the time for the truth. But maybe not all of it. Torment could go fuck himself. If he wanted to tell her what he did, that was on him. I needed her to trust that I would always be honest with her. I sat up on the bed and pulled her into my lap.

“There are cameras everywhere, Rose. Even on the building you hid behind.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” she said, her eyes dropping to her hands as she twisted them together. “I didn’t want you to see me.”

“I know, baby. Why didn’t you come find me?”

She stood from my lap and paced the room. “The monsters were screaming. It had been so long since I heard them that I just didn’t think. I needed to let them out.”

“Did it help?”

Her eyes snapped to mine. “No.” She shook her head.

“Talk to Torment, baby. Tell him everything.”

“I can’t.” She turned her back on me.

Getting up from the bed, I stepped behind her and wrapped her in my arms.