Victoria hesitates, but doesn’t say a word as she slips into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
After she’s done, I go in to brush my teeth and change into more comfortable clothes. When I come out, Victoria is in bed and turned with her back facing me.
Fuck, she looks so small in that bed, and I just want to crawl in and wrap my arms around her. But I force myself to the floor, curling up in my makeshift bed, which is hella uncomfortable.
It takes me a while to get into a position that isn’t wrecking my back before I close my eyes and force myself to sleep.
I doze off after a little while, but the sound of yelling wakes me up. At first, I’m disoriented, thinking I’m having another nightmare with Sara’s screams filling my mind.
I bolt upright, and that’s when I realize that the screams aren’t in my head.They’re real.
“No! Don’t touch me!” Sara screams.
Practically leaping to my feet, I rush towards the door.
“Damon!” I hear Victoria cry behind me.
I don’t even look back as I pull open the door and run down the hallway towards the horrendous screams coming from my sister.
“That son-of-a-bitch,” I curse under my breath as I run. I knew this place was too good to be true. Sara is being abused again at the hands of her own husband.
Ready to pounce on the bastard, I burst through their bedroom without hesitation, my hands curled into fists, ready to fight. But what I see has me stopping in my tracks.
Roman is on the floor, holding Sara in his arms and rocking her back and forth as she fights him. She punches and scratches at him, but he continues to just hold her, trying to soothe her.
“You’re all right, Sara. Just a nightmare, baby. Just a nightmare. Please come back to me. Please wake up.”
Sara’s eyes are closed, so I think she’s still dreaming. Tears track down her beautiful cheeks as her husband tries to calm her down.
Eventually, she stops fighting him, and her eyes slowly flutter open. A mournful cry comes out of her mouth as she gradually brings herself awake.
“I…I’m s-s-sorry,” she sobs in his arms.
He smooths a hand down her hair and back. “It was just a dream, baby. You’re okay. I’m here.” Holding her tightly, he tells her softly, “I won’t let anyone ever hurt you again, Sara.”
Sara’s eyes eventually find me standing in the doorway of their room. “Arlo,” she whispers. Then, grimacing at her mistake, she says, “Damon. I’m sorry you had to see this.”
My fists slowly unclench as I stand there, unable to even speak. Thankfully, Victoria steps up behind me, wraps her hand in mine and speaks for me. “It’s okay. He’s been helping me deal with some nightmares myself. He’s used to it by now I think,” she says lightheartedly, trying to clear the tension in the room.
Sara gives her a soft smile. “I’m glad you two have each other.”
Victoria gives my hand a squeeze, and I relish in the feel of her extending that lifeline to me right now.
Sara looks at Roman. “I’m going to go check on Arlo. Make sure I didn’t wake him up.”
Roman gives her a nod and helps her stand.
I feel a tug on my hand, and I realize that’s our cue to leave. “We’ll see you both in the morning,” I tell them before turning and leading Victoria back to our room, hand in hand.
Once the door is shut behind us, I release her hand and go to the window. I can feel an intense amount of rage filling me up inside. More than I’ve ever felt before.
“Damon?” Victoria calls from behind me. I can hear the unease in her voice.
“I should have been there,” I growl out. “I should have found Sara sooner.”
Victoria walks over to me. “This isn’t your fault.”
My muscles tremble from the tension building up inside of me. Fuck, I need to punch something or go for a run to get out all of this frustration and anger. “It’s all my fault. I should have done something!” I yell.
