Page 69 of The Monsters Within

“I’m scared, Cash. I’m afraid once you hear everything, you won’t want me.”

“Never gonna happen,” I said before I kissed her again. “Come on.” I led her downstairs. The main room was busy as King called everyone in. Haizley was frantic in the corner, trying to reach Amber.

“This is my fault,” she whispered.

“It’s not. Amber is responsible for her own actions. She’s hurting, and she ran off instead of talking to someone. She knew there wasn’t a man or woman in this clubhouse that wouldn’t drop what they were doing to talk with her. Not to mention her brother.”

Rose nodded. I knew she didn’t agree with me about her part, but she knew what I said about Amber was true.

“Come on, baby. Torment is waiting.”

We stepped into church, and he stood from his seat and met Rose just inside the door. “I am so proud of you.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Kytten, you took the most important step. Not only did you not make that cut, but you asked for help. I know you don’t see it, but that was the hardest part,” Torment said, and I fucking loved that he was so gentle with her.

“You haven’t heard what I’m going to say yet.”

“No, but once I do, a weight will be lifted and you’ll feel the difference.”

She looked at him skeptically. Torment was right. Once I opened up to Haizley, and told her what I was feeling, it was just like he said. A huge fucking weight lifted off me, and I felt lighter, freer. Rose would too. Once she knew nothing she toldme would change the way I felt for her. The monsters would lose their hold on her.

“Cash, if you’ll excuse us,” Torment said.

“I’d like him to stay.”

“Are you sure, Kytten?” Torment asked, looking at me.

“I can’t do this without him.”

“Okay. Where would you like to start?

She looked at me, and I squeezed her hand. “I’ve got you, baby. You can do this.”

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Nothing, and I mean fucking nothing could have prepared me for what I learned. It took every ounce of strength I had not to let go of her hand, but also not to hurt her. My body was tense, strung out tight with every word she said.

My jaw ached from the way I clenched my teeth, trying not to let Rose see my rage.

I could hear her monsters now.

I could feel them clawing their way out of her body and climbing into mine.

They wanted to scream? I would let them fucking scream. They wanted to rage? I would let them fucking rage. And when the time was right, I would release those fucking monsters and let them get justice for what she had endured.

Because there was nowhere that fucking bitch could hide.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kytten

TRIGGER WARNING:This chapter contains a graphic representation of grooming and sexual assault of a minor. If you suffer from any triggers, PLEASE, PLEASE, take extreme caution before reading this chapter. Your mental health is more important to me than my fictional story.

My first three birthdays with Val and the Nyght Nymphs were every girl’s dream. Every year they did something different. In the first year, Val recreated everything I had shared with her about what my mom used to do for us.

The second year, they took me roller-skating. Val rented out the whole rink. It was just us. For hours, we skated and played video games, listened to all my favorite bands while we gorged ourselves on pizza and cake. It was the best day!