Knox, Killian and Carter do the same for me and more. Colors are brighter. Music sounds more beautiful. Shades of grey are suddenly vibrant. Every sense is heightened, and life is worth living. Before them, I was focused on saving the children. I still am, but now—I want to live—need to live.
Just so I can have one more day.
TRIGGER WARNING
Trigger Warning:
The following chapter involves a discussion of SA against a child. Reader discretion is advised.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
KNOX
Reaper had already warned us to be respectful to Bella before the ladies came back downstairs. It was an unnecessary request, but understandable. We’d be just as cautious with Heather if the tables were turned.
Killian tosses back his whiskey and sets his empty glass on the coffee table.
“What led you to go after him, or did he come after you?”
She glances at Reaper, who nods for her to go ahead and answer.
“He raped the love of my life. Repeatedly. He did not deserve to live. I went after him for what he did to Nico. I didn’t know about Raven or your brother. Knowing what I know now only cements that I made the right decision. It didn’t come without consequences, but I have no regrets. He was a vile monster, undeserving of life.”
We are all quiet, processing her words until Carter speaks up.
“It’s hard to imagine such a petite woman killing him. He was many things, but weak wasn’t one of them. Would you mind explaining how it happened?”
A growl from Reaper fills the room, sounding like an injured animal, and I know she meant it when she said there were consequences.
She turns to Reaper and presses a hand to his face.
“It’s okay, Nico. It’s in the past, and I think they deserve to know. Wouldn’t you want to?”
He kisses her softly before she turns back to us.
“I charmed the guards into letting me in. I said I was a prostitute he ordered. He knew before I made it inside that I had lied. Long story short, there was a struggle. He hit me on the back with the lead pipe he raped Nico with before also raping me with it. I had a knife in my hand and fought him. The first couple of slashes were superficial wounds until I plunged the blade into his stomach. That’s what killed him.”
Carter speaks, and his raw voice matches the look on Reaper's face.
“A lead pipe?”
Her eyes show sadness, but for some reason, I think it’s more about her husband than it is her.
“A lead pipe.” She confirms quietly.
Carter looks at Raven and asks, “You too? Did he rape you with the same lead pipe?”
He shakes his head and closes his eyes as he counts out loud. I’m not sure what that’s about, but we wait silently as Bianca squeezes his hand.
He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before answering Carter's question.
“No, he used his hands. His disgusting dick. My mouth. But not the lead pipe.”
I watch my brother's face as he speaks out loud. It’s filled with pain as he clutches onto Heather.
“Lucky me. I got a combination. He fucked me with everything he could find, but he didn’t stop there. Even when I begged and cried, he never stopped.”
The room is silent aside from Carter's heavy breathing — you could hear a pin drop.
