Page 78 of Queen Rose

Aria

While we wait for help to arrive, I soak in Nate’s strength. With his arms around me, I know I’m safe. I know I’m with someone who cares for me. I trust him with my life.

And all these beautiful people—they really are my friends. They came with Nate to find me, to help me. And despite the horrifying things that were happening when they arrived, they haven’t shied away from me. They’re here, supporting me. I feel nothing but kindness radiating off every single one of them.

Conner had been seconds from forcing himself inside me. But I surprised him. I fought back this time. Hard. Even after he’d been yanked off me, I’d still been kicking and thrashing. I wasn’t letting him have me without a fight. That prick underestimated me.

And as it turned out, he also underestimated my man and my friends. It’d taken me several seconds to realize who had pulled Conner off me and was beating the absolute shit out of him. The memory of Nate’s fists slamming into Conner’s face is one I won’t soon forget. I’d watched his muscular body, a sick fascination washing over me with each brutal punch he’d delivered to Conner’s pathetic face.

With my eyes locked on Nate, I hadn’t been able to move. Xander had been the one to pull me away from the flurry of fists and blood, scooping me into his arms, and holding me tightly to his chest. I can still hear the way he’d shouted, the hoarseness of his voice, as he’d called to the others for help and worked to free my wrists.

When it was clear Micah and Griff needed help with Nate, Lyla had convinced Xander that she could handle me. This girl, even though I had kept my secret from her, she held me close. Rocked us back and forth. Cried with me. She showed me true compassion. I’ll never forget that.

But now Nate is here, cradling my weary body against his chest, and our friends have circled around, trying to decide on a course of action. I’m shaking so badly I don’t think it’s ever going to stop. My dress is torn and soiled, my panties destroyed. I don’t want to think about what everyone saw when they came in. Scarlett had been quick to bring a blanket to cover me, but everyone saw the physical state I’d been in.

Half-naked. Dirty. Crying. Broken. But also fighting like hell.

My attention diverts to Daphne, who paces back and forth on her phone, explaining where to find us. “We’re in the basement at 1121 North Hanover Street. We need police assistance and two ambulances.”

I tune out for a few seconds. I’ve figured out where I think we are. It’s an old house—one of Conner’s pet projects on the wrong side of town. I remember Conner telling Dad he thought it would be so goddamn funny to buy a house over here and fix it up. That’s what they’d been talking about over bourbon in Dad’s office the night of the River Rock party when they made me come talk to them. I laugh, and concerned eyes turn my way. My voice scratchy, I blurt, “I’m sure Conner never dreamed anyone would find me here.”

Nate’s breath has finally slowed and steadied out. “I’m just glad I recognized the sign you were seeing from the window.” His body tenses. “I don’t want to think about what would have happened otherwise.”

Daphne sits down in Micah’s lap, completing our circle, and holds up her phone. “They’re on the way. Still on speaker, just FYI.”

I glance over to where Conner is lying, moaning. “I-it’s okay. I-I don’t want to hide this anymore. I want him to pay for what he’s done.”

Scarlett blows out a hard breath as she lets Xander put an arm around her. “As he should. He kidnapped you. Assaulted you. He should answer for that.”

“He’s going down for murder, too. But don’t let him get away with not paying for what he’s done to you.” Daphne’s quiet voice is full of anguish. “I did, and I’ve regretted it for years.”

I look around our circle at a few stunned faces, and I blink back at Daphne, realizing she’s sharing something with me—with all of us—that some of us weren’t previously aware of. I nod my understanding as Micah wraps his arms around her and kisses her shoulder.

From a place way down deep, my truth scrapes to the surface. “He’s been doing this to me for years.”

It’s so quiet, we could hear a pin drop three towns over. I silently stare into each of my friends’ eyes, affirming for them what I’ve just said. Finally, my gaze meets Nate’s, and my lips quiver. I slick my tongue over them, tasting my salty tears.

His body stiffens at first, but then sags, almost as if his suspicions have been confirmed. He cups my cheek, gazing into my eyes. I can see the plethora of questions and confusion swimming there in the pale blue. “Baby. I’m so, so sorry he did that to you. Why didn’t you ever say something to someone?” He swallows.

With the wail of police and emergency sirens heading toward us, I shake my head. “I’ll tell you everything. But I don’t want to talk about it with him right there.”

Beau gets up, brushing off his pants. “I’m going to talk to them before I bring them around back.” He jogs up the stairs and out of view.

Not more than a few minutes pass before Beau comes in through the basement door with police officers and emergency personnel, and then everything is a blur. So many EMTs and officers ask me questions and check me over, my head begins to spin. They load me into an ambulance, and when they turn around to ask if anyone wants to go with me, Nate’s already tossing his keys to Micah. A smile curves my lips to hear him grumble when they make him sit up front in the passenger seat so he can be safely restrained.

Once we arrive at the hospital, Nate stays glued to my side. They take blood, presumably to test it for whatever drug I’d been given, and examine me. Following that, even though it’s well past three in the morning, I have a visit from Detective Jones. It’s okay. I’m not sleeping, anyway.

“Aria, I’m unsure why when I spoke to you about your aunt’s death that you didn’t say something about Conner. I have my suspicions, but I was hoping you’d share your reasoning with me.”

My eyes flick to Nate’s. My heart thrums fast in my chest like a hummingbird’s wings as my throat goes dry. “Um.” I press my lips together to stop their trembling and close my eyes.

Sensing my state of mind like only he can, Nate’s thumb sweeps gently over the back of my hand, as his hand squeezes mine. “It’s okay, baby. Do you want me to stand outside?”

We haven’t discussed everything yet. Obviously, he knows what he saw. And he’s probably pieced together an idea of what I’ve been going through, maybe, based on my behavior and a few things I’ve said. Especially since I admitted in that awful hellhole of a basement that this is far from the first time Conner has assaulted me. And I am going to tell him everything—or as much as he can handle. Maybe it’s best he knows before everyone else. I don’t want him to feel blindsided or like I didn’t trust him enough. I trust him most.

I lick my lips and open my eyes to look at Nate. “No. Stay.” He gives my hand another reassuring squeeze. Taking a deep breath, I turn to face Detective Jones. “He’d been like an uncle to me since I was five. And he began molesting me at the age of twelve. In hindsight, I see he had a sick obsession with me that began as soon as we first met. He made me love him, like an uncle or beloved family member, and then when I was older, he began to change how he’d talk to and touch me. It happened so gradually, I thought I was imagining it. But then it got worse, and I was too scared to tell anyone. Too terrified that it would tear my family apart.” My voice hitches. “That I’d be an embarrassment to them.”

Beside me, Nate’s head drops as he stares at the floor, his jaw tensing. He draws in a ragged breath but says nothing.

Detective Jones gives me a sad smile. “So, was this a case of past abuse resurfacing?”

“No.” I hesitate, glancing at Nate. “It’s never stopped.”

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