Wildcard: Volume Three

But it is too late now. It is what it is.

God, it must be killing her, trying to figure out why he isn't bothering her anymore. I never even thought about that, but she must be going insane. I know I would be.

***

It’s after seven when Scar and Jake walk through the door. She gives me an uncertain smile as she shrugs off her jacket, folding it over the back of the couch. Jake yawns and slumps onto the couch beside it. He looks exhausted. They both do.

“Hungry?” I ask. I walk over to Scar and kiss her cheek.

She smiles at me, but I can see the sadness hiding in her eyes. Is she embarrassed? Ashamed that I know? Because that's the last thing I want her to feel. After considering everything, I don't want her to feel that she has anything to feel sorry for, and I know I need to tell her that. I’m the last person who should be judging anyone.

“We ate at the hospital,” she mumbles.

I watch as she leans forward and ruffles Jake’s hair.

“Ready for a bath?” she asks with a grin. He nods.

I follow her down to the bathroom and watch her run the bath.

“We need to talk about this morning,” I say, my voice soft.

“I know we do.” She looks defeated. “Just let me get Jake into bed first.”

***

With Jake fast asleep in bed, I crack open a bottle of wine—because I have a feeling that we're both going to need it. I pour two glasses and carry them into the living room, where Scar is waiting for me. She accepts one of the glasses as I slide onto the seat next to her.

“Let me start by saying something,” I begin, “I want you to know that what you've told me changes nothing about the way I feel for you. I've done stupid things in my past, and I can see how much you regret what you did.”

“I do regret it. More than you’ll ever know,” she whispers.

“You can trust me, Scar. I love you.”

Tears roll down her cheeks. It's the first time I've said those words to her. Hell, it’s the first time I've said those words to anyone. It feels right. Everything with her feels right.

Chapter Twelve

Scarlett

“Scar,” Ryder whispers. He reaches out and touches my face. “I need you to be completely honest with me. I need to know everything.”

I nod, and wipe my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I cross my legs and straighten my posture. The relief of him knowing is indescribable. And I can't believe how well he is taking this. It does make me wonder if he understands how serious this is, should it get into the wrong hands.

This nightmare has been following me around for years. I’ve spent the best part of the last few years looking over my shoulder. Waiting. Expecting. Because he always comes back, and he always wants more. For some strange reason¸ telling Ryder makes me feel hope that this will all end soon.

One way or another.

“What do you want to know?” I ask. Does he want details? Because every single second of those nights are locked away in my mind, untouched, waiting to resurface.

I remember everything. I remember how empty I was feeling, how alone I was. A new town, just me and Jake. I was working two jobs while trying to look after my sick mother and my sick son. That's too much for any one person to handle.

After Mom had died, I was devastated. I wasn't sure how I was going to go on. I'm an independent person, but there is only so much one can do alone. And I’d reached my limit.

Enter Tony. I’d known he hadn't changed. He was the same slimy piece of scum who’d left me alone and pregnant when I was sixteen. But I wanted to believe.

“I want to help you, Scar. I want to make sure that this

is the last time he ever bothers you. But to do that, I need details. I know you’re sorry for what happened, but right now you need to tell me everything you remember about what you did.”