Chapter 91: Chapter 5

SASHA

I am aware that our meeting with the therapist will be a tough one. I know we have to lay everything bare so our parents can understand what we’ve been through. But I have always tried to shield Brittany and Jaime from the worst of it.

I have made a pact with myself that if anyone is going to get hurt, it will be me, not them. Sure, they take some hits, but nothing compared to what I have endured. As the clock ticks closer to our appointment, I can’t help but tremble with anxiety.

I find myself sitting next to Mason on a couch, my parents on another. They watch me, their eyes filled with concern, no doubt dreading what they are about to hear. Mason notices my shaking too, and before I know it, he has lifted me onto his lap.

His hands cradle my face, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“Sasha, baby, I don’t give a damn about your past before I came into your life! It doesn’t change a thing about how I feel about you! We’ll find those bastards and make them pay! You can bet your life on that! You’re mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help you face your demons!”

I can only nod, burying my face in his chest. If someone had told me three weeks ago that I’d go through hell and be saved by a man like Mason…I would have laughed in their face.

He has the same rugged good looks as the other Maxwell men, but there is something different about him. And his body… God, what I would do to him when we are alone. I inhale his scent, my mind wandering to thoughts of kissing his neck, his chest, trailing down his abs to his…

The door swings open, interrupting my thoughts. Jaime and her family emerge, their faces streaked with tears. The therapist turns her gaze to me.

Damn it, couldn’t she have given us five more minutes?

“Sasha, I’m ready for you and your family now.”

I stand up, gripping Mason’s hand and pulling him up with me. My parents follow us into the room. I take a seat next to Mason, my parents across from us.

I take a deep breath, looking to Mason for reassurance. I can’t shake the fear that once he hears my story, he will change his mind about me. Tears well up in my eyes as he presses his cheek against mine.

“Sasha, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be furious about what they did to you, but I’m not leaving your side. Ever.”

I nod, taking a deep breath before beginning my story. I know it will devastate my parents.

“When we left with Donald, he promised it would only be for one night. He gave us something to drink, and we all passed out. When we woke up, we were tied up in a hotel room. There were a couple of other guys there, smirking at us. They would arrange for people to call for an escort, and once they were paid, we had to go. It was supposed to be nothing sexual, just companionship. We had to be back by a certain time, or we’d be beaten. If a client tried anything, they threatened to kill us. There was another girl with us, but when she tried to escape, they hunted her down. We never saw her again. They joked about choking her, and we thought they were lying until we saw the news a few days later. They had found her body.”

I pause, taking another deep breath. I know the next part will be the hardest to tell.

“When the clients started paying more than they were supposed to, the men assumed we were doing more than just providing companionship. They said if we were going to ‘give it away’, they might as well have some fun too. I told them not to touch Jaime or Brittany. I volunteered myself to protect them. I didn’t want the other girls to get hurt, so I was the one they used. I was beaten and raped repeatedly. They would tie me up and gag me so I couldn’t scream. This went on day after day until a few days before we were rescued. The bleeding finally stopped a few days ago.”

I look down. I hear my dad’s angry hiss and my mom retching into a trash can. I feel Mason tense up next to me. I know this isn’t what he wants to hear. Who would want someone like me now?

I watch as he stands up and makes a phone call. I bury my face in my hands, certain that this is the end. But then I feel Mason sit down next to me, pulling me into his chest and whispering in my ear.

“Sasha, don’t think anything has changed. You’re still mine. I called the doctor so we can go get you checked out.”

My parents excuse themselves, and as they leave, I see the other parents rush up to them, crying. I turn to Mason, a question burning in my mind.

“What if I’m so damaged that I can’t…”

He silences me with a finger to my lips, his gaze holding mine.

“We’ll deal with that later. For now, let’s go see the doctor. Nothing has changed.”

I nod as he helps me up, and we make our way to a car outside. He helps me into the passenger seat before getting in the driver’s side. We are soon on our way, escorted by two black SUVs.

After an hour’s drive, we pull into a parking lot behind a large building. A woman in a white coat is waiting for us, a smile on her face. She leads us straight into an exam room. She draws some blood and asks me to undress from the waist down. I can’t help but start shaking again.

Mason takes my hand in his, lifting my chin to make me look at him.

“I’m not going anywhere, no matter what happens. I know they’re just words right now, but I plan on proving them to you every day for the rest of our lives.”

I try to smile as the doctor comes in with a couple of nurses. I assume the position on the exam table, and the pain of the examination is almost unbearable. I sob into Mason’s chest as he holds me, trying to comfort me.

When the doctor is done, she leaves us alone for a bit so I can compose myself and get dressed. The nurse leaves me with a pad since I have started bleeding again from the exam. I watch as Mason clenches and unclenches his jaw, trying to hide his emotions.

I sit next to him, wrapped in his arms, as the doctor comes back in and takes a seat in front of us.

“So, we’ve got some test results to discuss. You’re clear of any STDs and you’re not pregnant. However, the examination revealed significant scarring and damage. I know you’re wondering if you’ll ever be able to have children. At this point, the chances are very slim. If, by some miracle, you were to conceive, you’d be on strict bed rest until the fifth month, then you’d be hospitalized.

“There’s a risk of tearing during delivery, so a c-section would be necessary. I know this isn’t the news you were hoping for, but I believe in being honest. Right now, your body needs to heal. So, no strenuous activity for at least a month. We’ll reassess your condition then to see if there’s been any change.”

I can only stare at her, trying to process her words. I feel Mason’s face against my cheek, whispering reassurances, but I’m in shock.

I continue to stare as she leaves the room. Then I turn to Mason, tears streaming down my face.

“Sasha, it doesn’t matter to me! You’re mine! I’m not going anywhere! We’ll take this one step at a time and focus on your recovery!”

I shake my head, trembling. Who would want someone so damaged she can’t even bear children?

He stands, bending over to lift me into his arms. My legs wrap around him. I sob into his shoulder as he carries me outside to the car.

He gently places me in the passenger seat, then climbs into the driver’s side, holding my hand all the way home. After parking, he comes around to open my door, lifting me into his arms again.

He dismisses everyone else as he carries me upstairs to his room, laying me on his bed and tucking me in.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to grab some food and drinks for later. I’ll let everyone know what’s happening and then I’ll come back up to be with you, okay?”

I nod, and soon I hear the bedroom door open and close. Only then do I let my tears and sobs flow freely.

MASON

Closing the door behind me, I reflect on the news. It’s disappointing, yes. But it doesn’t change how I feel about her.

Sasha is my girl, and her strength is unparalleled. She risked herself to save her friends, not considering the potential consequences.

I take a deep breath and head downstairs, where everyone, including her parents, is waiting.

“We spoke with the doctor. Sasha doesn’t have any diseases, but she’s been severely damaged. It’s unlikely she’ll ever be able to conceive naturally. She needs some time alone right now, so I’m going to grab some food and drinks and just be with her. It’s been an emotional day, and we need time to process. Anika, Matt, I want you to know that this doesn’t change how I feel about her.”

“Don’t worry, Mason. We’ll send food up. Just grab some drinks for now.”

I nod at my mom and quickly grab some water and soda. My dad pulls me aside and opens a door to reveal a jeweler with his wares spread out.

I’m sure my friends have already chosen their necklaces, and I see a ring for later. But right now, a teardrop necklace catches my eye. It’s perfect.

I pick up the necklace while my dad handles the payment, then head back upstairs. When I enter the room, I see Sasha sitting up, wiping away her tears.

I sit on the edge of the bed and hand her a water and a soda. As she opens the water, I set mine down and hand her a small box.

She looks at me, confused, and I can’t help but smirk, knowing this is what I want. She opens the box and gasps, quickly getting up on her knees.

“Every woman around here wears a necklace like this! Is this the same thing? What does it mean?”

“It means, Sasha, my love, my goddess, that by accepting this, you’re agreeing to be mine!”

“Mason, what if I can’t, you know…”

“Sasha, it doesn’t matter to me! I’ll take you however I can! If that means we can’t have our own children, so be it! We can adopt! We’re good at that around here!”

She throws her arms around my neck, and I pull her into a hug. She leans back, smiling, and turns around for me to put the necklace on.

I lean forward, kissing her neck as I fasten the clasp. It’s a done deal. Soon, I’ll propose, and then we’ll be married.

But first…we need to find the bastards who did this to her and make them pay. Let the girls pull the triggers and end their lives.

No one messes with our girls and gets away with it. The hunt is on!