Perfect Song (Mason Creek Book 2) by Lauren Runow (christmas read aloud .txt) 📕

to get something off your chest. Let me help you carry that burden.” He grips my hand tighter, bringing it to his lips.

Tears start to fall down my face. I’m scared to tell him, but I’m tired of keeping it all in. The weight of it is becoming too much. I close my eyes and take in a breath, slowly letting it out.

“They hurt me,” I say barely above a whisper.

“Who?”

I shake my head. Reliving this story is becoming too painful, and my stomach is aching at just the thought. Tucker repositions my hand that he’s holding, and my wrist comes into view. My mind goes to the way the ropes felt, wrapped around my wrists, and I curl up closer to him, wanting him to hold me more and calm this fear building inside of me.

Tucker pleads, “Talk to me. Let me help you. Who hurt you?”

“These men.” I shake at the thought of them, and he moves his hand down my arm to calm my nerves and give me strength to continue. “They kicked in our door like they were the SWAT team. Jimmy hopped up instantly. He must have known it was a possibility that they’d arrive because he ran so fast and jumped out the window, not even waiting to see what was going on. He left me there. Alone.”

“Son of a bitch,” Tucker curses out.

I feel his gasp as his grip tighten against my skin. I don’t want to talk anymore. I just want to close my eyes and die.

Tucker runs his fingers over my eyes, wiping away the tears. His gentle act has me talking more.

“They dragged me out of bed and into the living room as they searched for him.” I remember that moment and how helpless I felt as fear of what they were doing, who they were, and what they could possibly do to me washed over my body.

Tucker pulls me onto his lap, and I curl into him.

“When they couldn’t find him, they came for me. They wanted money, but I didn’t have any. So, they took my purse and opened my laptop that was sitting on the coffee table, going to the bank listed on my ATM card.”

I bite my lip as I inhale a shaky breath.

The tears spill out as I admit, “They threatened to rape me if I didn’t give them my login information.”

“Fuck.” He engulfs me in his arms. “Justine, my strong girl.”

I let the tears fall freely, feeling safe to do so for the first time.

“They took everything I had, but it was only a fraction of what he owed. I couldn’t believe how deep he’d gotten. They promised they’d be back for the rest and told me to warn Jimmy.”

I close my eyes, remembering the fear that washed over me at that moment.

“Two of them left, but one of them stayed behind. They had me tied to the chair, and he put his arm around my shoulders, bringing me to him and whispering in my ear about what he thought I’d feel like.”

I shutter at the memory and he leans in to kiss my head.

“Thankfully, one of the first guys came back and grabbed him because they heard the sirens coming.”

“If I find them, I’ll kill them,” I hear Tucker whisper to himself in a moment of relief.

“The cops showed up a few minutes later. They untied me and helped me calm down. Jimmy was gone, but they found him shortly after. He admitted everything and told me just how much he owed. I broke up with him instantly. I can work with a gambling addiction, but knowing he left me there for them to do with as they pleased, I could never forgive that.”

“And you shouldn’t have to. You were right to leave. You came home.”

“I didn’t know where to go, and since they drained my bank account, I had no money. It’s not like a credit card, where they just give you a new card. They’re still working on the process of getting it all back.”

I look up at him again. “My parents suggested I come back home until things calmed down, and so I did.”

He places his hand on my head, moving my hair out of the way. “So, you never planned on actually living here then?”

I shake my head. “No. I was happy in New York. I still have a life there, but I don’t know how safe I’ll be or even feel. They obviously know exactly who I am. I don’t know if they’d come after me or not.” I curl back up on his chest. “I know it sounds stupid. It’s my fault for not realizing he was in trouble.”

He stops me by sliding down, so he’s face-to-face with me. “Don’t ever say that. Sometimes, the people closest to someone in trouble like that have no clue what’s really going on. You can’t beat yourself up for that. He obviously tried hard to keep it from you. Personal safety should be your first priority. And no man should ever leave their woman unprotected. He’s not a man in my eyes. I’m so sorry he did that to you. But don’t ever put any blame on yourself.”

I give him a small smile as I stare into his eyes.

“So, that makes more sense that you still write for the magazine even though you’re here.”

“They were pretty cool when I told them bits and pieces. They think it’s short-term though.”

“Are you saying you’ll move back to New York?”

I bite the inside of my lip. If someone had asked me that before I met Tucker, I would have said, Yes, eventually, without any hesitation. Now, I don’t know.

Can I give up my life there for someone I just met?

I shrug my shoulders as my response.

“I’ll take that to say that I’m slowly changing your mind,” he says with a cheesy grin.

I laugh, needing that relief it gives.

He pulls me into his chest, rubbing my hair. “I’m glad you told me. I can’t