Page 49 of Cruel Embers
His shoulders move up and down as he lets out a heavy sigh.
“Yeah, I know. Sometimes I wish I didn’t give a shit, and it would be much easier then.”
My pulse starts to race. He said how he fell for her, and I wonder if he’s still in love with her. It's clear he has a type of saviour complex, but I think it's deeper than that.
ChapterTwenty-Five
NATHAN
“Why do you even care after what she did?” Vi asks curiously. “Is it because you still love her?”
I roll the beer bottle between my palms, raise my eyes to meet hers, and have to stop myself from letting out a gasp of air at how beautiful she is.
“No, I did love her, but not anymore. Do you want to know?”
She sits forward, her knee knocking mine as her hand squeezes my thigh once before resting there.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
Bringing my beer to my lips, I down the rest and then place it on the small coffee table.
“My dad was an arsehole behind closed doors. I don’t ever remember a time he wasn’t. And yet he’d attend family events, act like the doting father. But my sisters and I knew differently.”
Vi’s eyes shine with concern, and her thumb begins to stroke back and forth over my thigh, giving me the strength to continue. It’s not something I like to talk about, if ever, but I’ve found a connection with Violet over the last few weeks. She’s filled a void I didn’t even know needed filling.
“I was small for my age, and I remember wishing I was bigger, so the next time he hit at us, I could protect us, you know. So, when the opportunity arose, I joined mixed martial arts with Henry and Ethan. I used to dream of the day I’d finally be strong and brave enough to hit back. And then, when I was fourteen, I finally hit back. It was a victory that didn’t last long.”
I swallow down my nausea.
“You don’t have to continue, Nathan. Shit, I’m sorry I asked. I didn’t mean to push.”
Taking her hand, I turn it over and link our fingers.
“No, it's okay.” I clear my throat. “I want to.”
She nods and waits for me to continue.
“He beat me up so badly I ended up in hospital. A broken jaw, cracked ribs, broken arm, concussion, and bruising.”
Violet covers her mouth with her other hand, her eyes wide.
“It wasn’t pretty. He was arrested, sentenced to five years in prison for GBH, but he only served three.” The justice system is seriously fucking flawed.
She drops her hand from her face. “Oh my God, Nathan.” Violet's eyes well with tears, and my chest aches. Before I can think better of it, I lean forward and reach up to wipe her cheeks with the pad of my thumbs.
“Do you want to know the worst part?”
She gives the slightest nod, her hands coming up to cover mine, still holding her face.
“I still look over my shoulder, even now. Whenever my sisters call needing my help, the first thing I think is that it’s him—my dad—that he’s come back.”
She swallows and licks her lips. My eyes trace the movement of her tongue, and my dick twitches. I just shared one of the worst experiences of my life, and I’m getting a damn boner. What the fuck is wrong with me?
I let go of her face and get to my feet, snatching up my empty beer bottle and her glass, and place them on the counter in the kitchen. Gripping the edge of the counter, I take a deep breath.
Footsteps approach me from behind, and a small hand lands on my shoulder. I turn into her touch, and Vi wraps her arms around me and rests her cheek against my chest. I bring my arms around her and hold her tightly against me.
“I’m so sorry, Nathan.”
