Page 63 of Between Regrets and Promises

“I need to make a phone call quickly. Stay here.” Before walking away, he gives me a small smile, one I don’t return.

As I’m lost in my head, I overhear Liam talking to someone about Mason. When my thoughts go to Weston and all the horrible things he’s said to me today, Liam’s voice pulls me back.

“Okay, are you ready to go back out there? We’re probably gonna get bombarded.”

He holds out his hand, and I take it. I feel safe for the first time in months.

Once we’re outside, I notice Hunter talking to the police. Maddie is next to Lennon and Allie, and when I catch sight of Savannah and Hayden, I feel horrible. It’s my fault their special day has been ruined. All of this is my fault. I burst into tears again, and my sisters come over, not leaving me alone.

Liam goes to the police officer and waves to join him. I suck in a deep breath, look at Lennon and Maddie, then follow him.

The truth will be out there today. No more lies. No more excuses. I promised Liam I’d give a statement, and I will. After it’s all said and done, I hope I’ll be okay one day and be able to live with myself because right now, I don’t feel like that’s a possibility.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MASON

Being bookedinto jail is uneventful, though it doesn’t help that every person I pass knows my dad. I am fucked. I’ve been sitting on a bench in a stark white cell for the past three hours. My fists and face hurt, and when I’m finally granted my one phone call, I dial Liam.

“How’s jail?” he answers after the first ring.

“Already watched a dude piss all over the floor.”

“You’ll be out soon. We each gave our statements. Sophie was truthful. Talked about the verbal and physical abuse. They took pictures of her bruises, and she put it all out there. It was bad, Mason. You were right. If you wouldn’t have killed him, I would’ve after finding out everything that he was doing to her. On top of that, verbal and mental abuse, too.”

The seriousness in his tone feeds my rage even more.

I knew something wasn’t right.I fucking knew it.

All that matters now is that she’s okay. I can’t blame her for being scared of him, considering how out of control he was with three men fighting back his same size.

“Where is she now? How is she?” I’m more concerned about her well-being because I can only imagine how she feels and what emotional state she’s in.

“I made Sophie come home with me and told her she was sleeping here. She’s a fucking wreck and blames herself for it all,” he tells me. “She was worried about you too,” he adds, and it makes my heart jolt forward, but I don’t address it.

“I’m glad she’s there. And Serena?”

“She’s on her way to you. She said she’d leave as soon as possible.”

“Fuck,” I mumble.

“If you need to get bonded out sooner, let me know. I can call someone,” he offers.

“That’s okay. I’ll wait for Serena and let you know. Thanks, man. Thanks for being my best friend through all the bullshit.”

“You’re not gonna get all sentimental on me now, are you, and confess your undying love for me?” Liam snickers.

“You wish, you bastard,” I barely get out when the officer tells me my time is up. I let Liam go and am escorted back to my jail cell with a piss-covered floor. I’m thrown inside like a criminal, like a murderer. Without a doubt, word has already gotten around town that the district attorney’s son killed a guy and is sitting in jail. I need Serena to get her ass here as soon as possible.

Another hour passes, and I’m relieved when the door swings open. An officer lets me know I’ve been released, and I’m so thankful Serena came through. She’s going to lay into me, no doubt. As I grab my shit and walk through the door, I’m shocked when I look at my father. The color drains from my face when I realize how livid he is. Behind him, Serena looks half terrified and half pissed off.

“What’re you doing here?” I bark out, not wanting him to come to my rescue because he’ll hold it over me for the rest of my life as he does everything else.

“You think my son, my only son, gets arrested for murder and no one tells me? If so, you’re stupider than you look right now.”

“Ahh. Almost forgot everyone was on your payroll.” I nearly bite my tongue off trying to keep the rest of my heated words to myself. Though it pains me, it’s for the best, considering we have an audience.

“You’re set to be on the docket first thing Monday morning. More strings I was forced to pull for you.” He glances at Serena. “Since your lawyer is present, I assume you don’t need me anymore.” The agitation is prevalent as he glares at me.

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