Chapter Two #2
I ignore the pounding in my ears. “We’ve been through a lot together. I don’t want it to end this way.”
Noah sighs. “It’s hard for me to believe when you say that, London. Especially because of how easily you’re throwing everything away and turning your back on us. I thought I knew you.”
“You did know me,” I whisper. “But it turns out I didn’t know myself all that well.”
“I’ll check on your father, but don’t call and ask for any more favors.” Noah’s voice trails off toward the end. “I’d say I hope it works out for you, but I wouldn’t mean it.”
My breath hitches in my throat. “Noah—”
“Goodbye, London.”
The line goes dead, and I’m left with an ache in my stomach and bile in my throat.
For a long time, I stand in the middle of the room, listening to the dull thudding in my ears.
Finally, I leave the phone on the bed and stumble into the bathroom.
After switching on the lights, I grip the sink and avoid looking at myself in the mirror.
I cup my hands together and splash cold water on my face.
When I pat myself dry, I tell myself that I’m doing the right thing and that ripping the band-aid off now is better than down the line.
Noah will thank me when he has a woman who loves him with everything in her and has no doubts.
Someday, he’ll be surrounded by children and a doting wife, and I’ll be nothing more than a passing memory.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the twinge in my chest as I step out of the bathroom and cross over to the door.
I yank it open, and Katia is standing there, examining her nails.
I snatch a leather jacket from behind the door and shove my arms into it, taking comfort in Mason’s familiar spicy cologne.
Then, I square my shoulders and close the door behind me.
Katia doesn’t look up as she steps in front of me, blocking the hallway.
“Look, we both know you don’t want to do this.”
Katia’s expression gives nothing away. “No?”
“Come on. I’m not an idiot, and I’m not blind. I know there’s history between you and Mason.”
Katia says nothing.
“Without me here, you have a chance at winning him back. All you have to do is look the other way while I sneak out.”
Katia’s eyebrows draw together. “He gave you a chance to leave, and you didn’t, and now that he’s stuck out his neck and risked everything else he’s worked hard for you want to leave?”
“I just want to check on my family.”
Katia’s expression is hard and resolute. “That’s not an option.”
“I’m not asking,” I tell her through gritted teeth. “You can either get out of my way or tackle me. Either way, I’m going.”
Katia makes a sweeping hand gesture.
My heart is in my throat as I take one step forward and then another. When I’m far enough away to breathe a sigh of relief, I tell myself that I’m doing the right thing. Although the last thing I want is to cause more trouble for Mason, I can’t sit around and let the guilt eat away at me.
I have to see my dad.
I need to do something.
I round the corner to find Katia by my side. Wordlessly, she stands in front of me, an intimidating figure in her dark ensemble. I give her an incredulous look and try to sidestep her, but she throws out an arm. Frowning, I shove it away, but it comes right back, and she pushes me backward.
I stumble and scowl. “What the hell? I thought we had an agreement.”
“I am not going to betray Mason.” Katia lifts her chin. “I owe him so much more than my life. He asked me to keep you safe, and if I have to do it against your will, I won’t hesitate.”
“I can sneak back in before anyone knows I’m gone.”
Katia snorts and doesn’t release her grip on my arm.
I try to pry off her fingers, but she’s got a vise-like grip.
I struggle in earnest. Katia doesn’t break a sweat when I throw both arms around her and try to pull her to the ground.
Then, she abruptly releases me, and I fall onto my back, staring up at her in a daze.
A moment later, I push myself up to my feet, but Katia has me flat on my back again, and spots break out in my vision.
“I thought you were supposed to keep me safe.” I pant and give her a withering look. “Let me go, Katia. I have to check on my family. It’s not like you care. You’d be doing yourself a favor.”
“Your family is fine,” Katia says. “You, on the other hand, have a habit of getting yourself in trouble, and if the look on your face is anything to go by, you’ll thank me later.”
“I doubt that.” I gingerly get back to my feet.
After Katia knocks me down a third time, I use the back of my hand to wipe the sweat from my face and launch myself at her middle. Her mouth forms a surprised O, and her slow blink gives me a surge of satisfaction as we fall to the floor with a thud.
Adrenaline rushes through me as we roll on the carpet until I get the upper hand.
Katia shifts, and my punch lands on her side, sending a sharp pain up my arm.
Red-hot anger pumps through me as she throws me off, and I stumble to my feet.
Without warning, she kicks my feet out from under me and climbs on top of me. Then, she pins my arms behind my back, so I’m left staring at the wall and breathing through my mouth.
“Stop fighting me.” Katia’s voice is laced with a warning. “I told Mason I’d keep you safe, but even I have my limits.”
I stop struggling. “Go ahead, then. Give it your best shot.”
Katia releases me and dusts herself off. “I don’t think so.”
My eyes widen in disbelief as I watch her turn her back on me and leave.
Several moments pass before I storm back to the room in defeat.
A short while later, there’s a knock, and I wrench the door open, an angry retort on my lips, only to find a silver tray of food.
After a quick glance around the hallway, I take it in and leave it on the table in the middle of the room.
Then I wander over to the window and peek through the curtains at the smattering of clouds gathering on the horizon.
What have I gotten myself into?
I’m still turning the idea over in my head when the door opens, and Mason is there, wearing a button-down shirt and a pressed pair of pants, with his hair disheveled. He glances from the uneaten plate of food to me and back again before strolling into the room.
“I heard you tried to give Katia a run for her money.”
I scowl. “It’s not funny.”
Mason stops in front of me, and there’s very little of the warmth I saw earlier in the day. “I’m not laughing.”
I hold his gaze. “I’m not a prisoner, Mason. You can’t keep me locked up.”
“You’re not locked up. You can go anywhere in the house—”
“Provided I stay out of your father’s way and let Katia shadow me, you mean,” I interrupt hotly. “How is that not being locked up?”
“You’re not in a cage, London.” Mason’s eyes narrow. “It could be a lot worse.”
“I’m aware of that, but I didn’t agree to stay just so you could keep me in a cage while you go out and take care of business.”
Mason stares at me and says nothing.
“We’re supposed to be in this together. Don’t shut me out. Let me be there for you.”
“You know what would help? It would help if you did what you’re told.”
I throw my hands in the air and glare at him. “I’m not a disobedient child who needs to be told what to do and where to go. I’m your… I don’t know what I am, but I didn’t agree to this.”
Mason’s eyes glitter, and my pulse skitters. “You wanted to be a part of my world, London. This is part of the territory. While I’m off taking care of business, as you put it, I need to know that you’re not causing problems.”
“Checking on my family won’t cause problems.”
“It is when it involves leaving the house, when I told you it isn’t safe, and when our enemies are circling. Or do you feel like getting kidnapped again?”
“Isn’t that what Katia is for?”
Mason barks out a laugh. “Katia is good, but there’s only so much she can do. I have to focus, and I can’t do that if I’m worrying about you.”
“I don’t need you to worry about me.”
Mason cups my face in his hands, and his eyes are stormy as they search mine. “I always worry about you. Since the moment I laid eyes on you, I’ve had an urge to protect you and keep you safe, even when I didn’t understand it.”
I lace my fingers through his and don’t look away. “I’m fine, Mason. Like you said, you have bigger problems to worry about. Is that why you ran off earlier?”
He gives me a curt nod but doesn’t release my chin.
I exhale. “Tell me.”
Mason searches my face and then drops his hand. “There was an attack on one of the warehouses. They’re trying to send a message.”
“The same allies who kidnapped me?”
“There might be another player in the mix, but we’re not sure yet.”
I frown. “What makes you think that?”
“It doesn’t add up.” Mason backs up, leaving a few more inches of space between us. “I’ll get to the bottom of it. In the meantime, you need to let Katia do her job.”
I sigh. “I’m not one of your employees.”
Mason turns to face me, and a suggestive smirk plays on his lips. “Trust me, I’m well aware of that. You’ll never be able to work for me again. You’ll cause too much of a riot.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
Mason takes another step, and I don’t move. “You don’t seem to mind.”
“I do. I just don’t think now is the time to push it.”
Mason covers the distance between us and crushes me to him. “You’re right. I’ve got far better uses for our time.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him. “We’re not done talking about this.”
Mason lowers his head. “I’ve got other ways to convince you. Sooner or later, you’ll see things my way.”
The breath leaves my body as he hoists me over his shoulders and slaps my ass.
He sets me down on the bed, silencing my protest with a searing hot kiss that makes me forget what I wanted to say.