ROMAN

Once Nikki's gone, Mason waits a few more beats before he says, "What did you do to my sister? Why's her face all busted up like that?"

His tone is accusatory and I can tell by the way he's shaking that he's trying his hardest to control himself.

"I got into trouble and she paid the price for it," I admit.

"What kind of price?" he demands. "What the fuck have you gotten my sister into, dick?"

"It's hard to explain, but it won't happen again."

"Yeah?" He steps forward. "How can you ...