Page 68 of The Monsters Within

Rose chuckled, and I smiled. “Talk to me, Rosie.”

“I didn’t mean for her to hear me.” She shook her head, emphasizing her words. “I wanted to tell Thorne everything. I wanted to give him the knife, so he knew. So he understood why I did it. But she heard me, and now I’ve ruined everything. Val’s gonna be so mad. She’s going to hate me for hurting her daughter.”

“She won’t be mad, baby. Val’s been wanting to tell Amber the truth for months. We wouldn’t let her. You did her a favor.”

Rose sat there, staring at the knife in her hands.

“Look at me, baby.” I lifted her chin with my finger. “Let me help you.”

Rose smiled at me. “She said you wanted to.”

“Who, baby?”

“Rachel. I heard her voice as if she were in the room with me. She told me to tell you the truth. Not to hide it from you like she did.” Her eyes dropped to the knife again as her fingers caressed the blade in a manner that seemed almost loving. “I met her.”

“What?” I asked as I sat back on my feet. “When?”

“Two years ago, when I got Aspen settled here.” Her eyes danced between mine when she paused. I knew she was waiting for me to say something, but I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t form thoughts, let alone words.

“I didn’t realize it was her until I saw her picture in your room. She came into the flower shop on the first day Aspen opened. Rachel spent more time talking to me than she did Aspen.” She took a deep breath and then knocked me on my ass, my back hitting the wall, when she said, “She left me a letter. It was in the pocket of my cut. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away. I haven’t read it yet.”

“Why not?”

“I’m scared,” she confessed.

“What are you scared of, Rose?”

“It has my name on it.”

I pressed my head against the wall behind me. My eyes closed, shutting out the world as it spun. She knew. She fucking knew. “God damn you, Rach.”

“Please don’t be mad. We only talked that one day.”

“I’m not mad, baby. I don’t know what I am, but I’m not mad. You should read her letter. When you’re ready. But right now, you need to talk to Torment.”

“I know.” She closed the knife and held it out to me. “Keep it, baby.” I curled her hand around it. “When you’re done talking to Torment, if you want me to take it, I will. Let me get you some clothes.”

Torment was sitting on the bed, listening to everything. When I caught his eyes, he asked, “Did she cut?”

“No.”

He exhaled and dropped his elbows to his knees and held his head in his hands. “Thank fuck.”

“She’s ready to talk to you.” He looked up at me, his eyebrows near his hairline.

“I’ll meet her downstairs.”

He left the room, and I handed Rose her clothes so she could dress. She came out of the bathroom and gasped when she saw the door.

“The prospects will have it fixed before we go to bed.” She nodded, and I took her hand as we walked into the hallway.

“Will you come with me?” she asked, her voice holding a tinge of fear. “When I talk to Dr. Dunaway? I’d like you to be there.”

“Are you sure, baby?”

She nodded, and her eyes held mine as something washed over her. I wouldn’t call it peace. More like resignation.

“I’ll hold your hand, or you can sit in my lap. Whatever you need from me.” My hand held the back of her head as I leaned down and kissed her.