American Monster

8 - Justus

I didn't want to lie to her, but I couldn't tell her that I'd never been able to save her. I knew this time would be different. It had to be. Because I couldn't take another decade of this torture. This curse would be ended, even if it meant losing my own life if that was even possible.

"There's something I haven't told you," I replied, taking her bag from her and slinging it over my shoulder.

A crooked smile fixed on her face as she slipped into the hallway. I followed after her, locking the door. Even though I didn't plan on her ever returning to this place. Passing the few people who lingered in the corridor of the nearly abandoned building, I didn't miss how their eyes fixed on us, curious as to what would bring me here, but they were focused on the wrong person. Adelaide was the truly special one. I had just never been able to figure out her entire story.

"You mean besides the fact that you can somehow live forever?"

We stopped next to my Rivian R1S, and she turned to face me. "The reason you're cursed to live over and over again with me. I know you don't believe me yet, but you will."

Her eyebrows pulled together, causing my gut to twist.

"If you come with me, I promise I'll tell you everything I know."

She thought that over before nodding. "Let's go."

"Really?" I asked, uncertain. "That was easy." I grabbed the passenger door handle and pulled it open for her. "Are you sure you don't want to take this opportunity to accuse me of some nefarious plan to ruin your nonexistent reputation?"

"Word of advice, don't tell a woman she's easy."

"Nothing about you has ever been easy." I laughed sardonically before rounding the vehicle and climbing inside the SUV.

I stiffened, relishing the smell of her body so close to mine in the enclosed space. My blood felt like it was on fire as it scorched its way through my veins. This was dangerous, but if we couldn't even make it to my home, we weren't going to survive locked inside with each other. "Let's go," I rasped, pulling out onto the street and driving toward my estate, fighting the urge to continue on, leaving this place forever. But the manor called to me to bring her back.

I couldn't part with it after the last time I'd lost her, unable to leave the scene of the crime, hoping that one day she would come back to me, even though the perpetual loss had driven me mad. That's when Cato found me again, drenched in blood, seeking vengeance against the world for the pain I'd endured. But the only person I could blame was myself. And once Adelaide discovered how I came to be, she would hate me as well.

We pulled into the private drive, lined by fruit trees, to the front entrance of Blackridge Manor. Addy pushed open her door and stepped out into the blinding sun. I got out as well, joining her on her side of the vehicle. "This is significantly nicer than our dorm room," she quipped.

I walked beside her as we approached the front doors. "A lot of bad things happened here."

Her eyes danced over my profile. "Like what?"

"The last time? Every time?" I asked, inhaling sharply as the memories of our final encounter assaulted me. "I did everything I could to save you." My eyes met hers. "It wasn't enough. It never is."

"Well," she turned to face me, throwing her hands in the air. "I forgive you."

"I wish it were that easy."

"Justus, I'm not your responsibility."

"I wasn't your responsibility either. But you took me in and saved me. And I will spend an eternity trying to repay you."