Real Girl (Aston Creek High 4)

I step out from behind Slade and start making my way toward the man who lays struggling on the polished driveway. Slade catches my hand and as I glance back at him, he shakes his head. “What are you doing?” he murmurs, trying to keep this private but in the dead of night, his voice practically soars through the breeze.

Slade pulls back on my hand, trying to bring me back to him but I tug it free and drop my gaze, unable to meet his eyes. “I have to,” I tell him, knowing that he’ll never quite understand while wishing I could somehow sound a little stronger.

I see him wanting to fight me on this, desperately wanting to grab hold of me, throw me over his shoulder, and drag me back to his truck, not letting me out until we’re in the safety of Aston Creek, but he knows it’s not going to happen.

Seeing his hesitation, Rivers’ hand falls to Slade’s shoulder. “Let her go, man. I know you don’t like this but in order for her to move on, she needs to face this straight on. She needs the closure to make peace with herself.”

Slade shakes his head, still not wanting to let this happen but he pulls back, allowing me to go against his better judgment. I nod, giving him my silent thanks and letting him know that I can handle this. I’m strong enough, at least, I hope I am.

I pull away and as I turn to face Lucien, I feel all the emotions from over the last thirteen years creeping up on me.

I can do this. I can face my demon.

I make my way toward Lucien, my eyes trailing over the puddle of blood beneath him that runs down the drive back toward the burning house. I can’t help but think back over the past thirteen years of neglect, pain, and suffering all caused at this man’s hands.

Blake and I didn’t deserve the life we had. While it may have been showered with money and privilege, it wasn’t the life that was ever intended for us. We were supposed to be raised just outside of Haven Falls with our parents who loved and adored us. We might have had everything we ever needed with Maria and Lucien, but with our parents, we would have had the world.

My eyes trail back over his chest, taking in the way that he’s clutching at it, his hands both covered in blood. Knowing that staring at the spilled blood isn’t going to be good for my mental health, I cut my eyes back to meet his.

Lucien stares at me, pain on his face, and fear heavy in his eyes. “Please,” he begs with a whisper, struggling to get the word out.

He has to be fooling himself if he thinks I’m about to get down on my hands and knees and save his life. If this were any other time, he’d have never dreamed of uttering that one word but I guess desperation makes us do things we never thought we were capable of. Last night, desperation had me killing a man and jumping from a second-story window, and tonight, it has me watching the life slowly drain out of a monster.

I don’t doubt that I’m going to need therapy after this, but that knowledge doesn’t hold me back. I have to see this through.

I crouch down, hovering above him where I know he can see me. “I win,” I tell him, firm and confident. “You will never hurt me or any other woman again and when I walk away from here tonight, you’ll be gone and I’ll never think of you again. But you, do you know where you’re going? Because there’s a special place in hell for people like you and I can promise you, the devil is going to have you regretting every decision you ever made. I hope you burn down there, I hope you suffer, and I hope your world is so full of pain that you spend eternity in the worst kind of agony.”

He doesn’t move, doesn’t talk but I see the understanding and fear in his eyes. He knows I’m right and he knows exactly where he’s going. “You’re done.”

Lucien’s hand snaps out and his fingers pathetically attempt to grip my ankle. “Help…me…”

I hear a scuffle behind me but I don’t dare look back. I do not doubt that it’s Slade desperate to get to me and crush Lucien’s wrist for having the audacity to touch me.

I ignore the boys, knowing they’d have Slade under control and look down at my bloodied ankle before staring back at Lucien. “I will never help you. Understand me, Lucien,” I murmur into the night. “You will die here tonight.”

He swallows hard and as I watch him, I spare a thought for Blake. He wanted revenge so badly. My hand falls to the back pocket of my jeans and I pull out my knife, twisting it between my fingers as I contemplate just how much damage I can do to my soul in one night.