Page 135 of Between Regrets and Promises

Blinking, I pull back slightly to study her expression. “Who?”

“Dacia,” she chokes out.

Shock pulses through me as I try to wrap my head around what she said. “How do you know?”

“He told me. She was getting in his way of having me all to himself. I’m the reason Dacia’s dead,” she says with a shaky voice.

Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep breath, trying to control myself. I’d love to get him in a ring and punch his fucking lights out. He’s a suspect in the murder his wife only five months ago, and now he’s killed another innocent woman. I have no doubt he would’ve killed me or Sophie, or both.

“No, sweetheart. Dalton’s the reason she’s dead,” I say, trying to reassure her, but I’m sure it won’t help. There’s nothing anyone could’ve said that would’ve changed how I feltabout Emma’s death. “You couldn’t have known what his plans were or how he was gonna hurt her or you. That fucker is gonna wish Liam killed him because now he’s going to prison for two murders and attempted murder on top of kidnapping. He’s never gonna be able to touch you again.”

I cradle her in my arms, needing her as close as possible. Thewhat-ifshaunted me, threatening to break down my barrier of strength. I need to be strong for her so she can get through this, knowing it won’t be easy either way.

What if we hadn’t gotten there on time?

What if we hadn’t found her?

What if he’d shot her?

What if he’d shot Liam, Hunter, or me?

Thewhat-ifsare what will suffocate and choke me for a long ass time.

“The police will be waiting for our statements,” I tell her after a few minutes. “If you’re not ready, I’ll tell them to come back. They can wait.”

And they can. I’ve worked dozens of cases throughout my internship where witness statements weren’t collected for days or sometimes weeks. They won’t push her as long as I demand they back off.

“I want to tell them everything,” she says. “Make sure they find Dacia’s body, make sure he goes to prison, make sure I don’t forget any detail that’ll keep him away from me. I’ll testify against him and do whatever it takes.” Her lips tremble, and that’s when my own dam breaks. Hearing how strong she wants to be to get justice for her friend and herself has my vision blurring with tears. Fuck, I hate that bastard for doing this to my girl and wouldn’t blink if he magically died on the way to the ER.

“Whatever you want to do, baby. I’ll be here with you. I’m not going anywhere.”

Sophie tries to wrap her arms around my neck, but winces before she can reach high enough. I grab her hands and hold them to my chest instead as I lean down and rest my forehead against hers.

“I know.” She brings our mouths together for a deep, tender kiss, and it’s exactly what I needed to feel her strength. “Will you say it again?”

Blinking, I study her face, wondering what it is she wants to hear. She pulls in her bottom lip and looks at me, and then it hits me.

Lifting the corners of my mouth, I flash a small grin. “I love you, Sophie. So. Goddamn. Much.”

Then she gives me the softest, sincerest look as she repeats those very words to me. “I love you too, Mason.” If two people’s hearts could beat to the same rhythm, at the same pace, in the same melody—it’d be ours.

I fight back a goofy smile but hearing her say that to me is a moment I want to stamp into my memory forever. She’s changed everything for me, and there’s no way I’d go back to the shell of a man I was before she sparked life back into my soul.

Once we’re out of the shower, I help her dry off before wrapping the towel around her body. After I finish drying myself, I carry her to my bed. She could walk, but it’s painful for her. I quickly put on shorts and a T-shirt before heading downstairs to her room and grabbing the comfiest clothes I can find, then head back to my room and help her get dressed.

Checking my messages, I read the ones from Liam. Dalton’s been taken to the hospital, Hunter went home to Lennon after he gave his brief statement, and he and the cops are now waiting for us in the living room. I take Sophie’s hand and kiss her knuckles.

“You sure you’re okay to do this?”

Sophie nods without hesitation. “I’m sure. I wanna get it over with for now.” She knows this won’t be the last time she has to talk about it.

Leading us downstairs, I try to mentally prepare myself for what is likely going to take a couple of hours. They’ll make sure my story matches Liam’s and Hunter’s and ask Sophie about every detail she can recall. I don’t want to relive this because it feels like déjà vu. The fact that my name is going to be involved again means it’s only a matter of time before my father comes barreling through my door.

“Miss Corrigan, I’m Officer Fisher, and this is Officer Gaunt. He’s gonna observe while I take notes.”

“Hello.” Her voice is soft as she shakes his hand. “You can call me Sophie.”

“Of course.” He looks at me. “Mason, I presume.”

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