Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 98

ROMAN

Once Nikki’s gone, Mason waits a few more beats before he says, “What did you do to my sister? Why’s her face all busted up like that?”

His tone is accusatory and I can tell by the way he s shaking that he’s trying his hardest to control himself.

“I got into trouble and she paid the price for it,” I admit.

“What kind of price?” he demands. “What the fuck have you gotten my sister into, dick?”

“It’s hard to explain, but it won’t happen again.”

“Yeah?” He steps forward. “How can you be so sure?”

I’m not sure. That’s the truth. I stare back at him without saying anything because I know he’s right. Mason shakes his head at me, getting redder by the minute. “I should punch your face in!”

“You should,” I agree.

He stares at me in disbelief, then he lunges. He pushes me against the front door, and as I stare back at him, I find myself thinking that if he punches me, I’ll just take it. I deserve it. Maybe then I’ll feel better about this whole thing.

But Mason lowers his fist and steps back. Then, he runs ahand down his face in frustration. “You’ve already hurt her so many fucking times.”

This is also true.

His gaze meets mine and I see pure hatred in his eyes. ”

Why don’t you just leave her alone?”

“It’s not easy.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Bullshit.”

“I can’t live without her. My life makes no sense if she’s not around me. You think I used her for revenge and that I’m still doing that, but that’s no longer the case. I don’t give a rat’s ass about you and Haley, Mason, and I stopped

– caring a long time ago. I love Nikki and I’d give my life to keep her safe!”

“You love her? Love her? If you loved her, you wouldn’t keep putting her into these situations where she keeps getting hurt! Is she out of danger?”

I can’t answer him, not right away.

“She isn’t, right?” Mason says. “And yet you claim to love her.”

“It’s complicated.”

“No, it’s fairly simple.” He steps closer to me. “If she has to get hurt every time she’s with you, then you’re either a sadist or you have no feelings for her at all. Look at the state of her! She was terrified when I called. She didn’twant me to see her!”

I feel terrible for what he’s saying. Again, it’s the truth.

Mason shakes his head and says, “ll call my sister and let her know that she can stay with me for as long as she likes. The doors of my home will always be open for her.

She’s an adult and I can’t force her to come with med though that’s exactly what I want to do. And you, Roman, I swear to you that if you ever hurt her again, I’ll kill you. I’d gladly spend time behind bars if it means I get to wipe you off the face of the earth!”

Mason heads back to his car, glaring at me the whole time. I open the gate for him to go, and then I hesitate before heading back inside the flat.For days, I’ve been thinking about this. Hell, I don’t have it in me to keep hurting her, and as long as I have all these problems with Garith’s friends, she’ll always be in danger.

I have to do something about it. This can’t keep happening.

Now isn’t the time to be selfish because her life depends on it. How would Mason react if he knew what truly happened? That she got beaten up and was nearly sexually assaulted? That she was humiliated all because I left my legal wife for her?

He’d lose his mind the same way I am.

So, I turn the handle and enter the flat. Nikki’s on the couch, and when she sees me, she stands up.

It’s time for this to happen, no matter how badly it’ll hurt.

Now’s the time to prove that I’d do anything for her-even if that includes grinding my own heart to dust.