Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
MIRA
“ D id she go potty?”
Mason unclips Violet’s leash and she comes over, wagging her tail and jumping up at me with excitement like she hadn’t just seen me less than ten minutes ago.
“She did. Good thing too, because that storm is rolling in.”
“Guess I’ll be riding inside tomorrow.” I close my laptop and stretch my arms up, yawning. It’s crazy how fast I switch back into survival mode when I get triggered like that. But enduring years and years of abuse will do that to a person. Sometimes it’s frustrating to think that it’s been two years since I left and I’m still dealing with the fallout. But then I have to remember just how far I’ve come.
Needing the police to come and escort my violent husband out of the house in the middle of the night so I could safely pack a bag and leave was the single most terrifying experience of my life. And not just because I truly thought I was going to die, but because it was the moment where I could no longer deny the fact that the man I married—the man who was supposed to love me and provide for me and keep me safe—was just an illusion. The person I thought I married isn’t and wasn’t real. I fell for a fake version of him that he made up, and it’s terrifying how well he sold those lies.
No wonder Noel is wrapped in his iron grip. I feel so incredibly sad for her, but what can I do? She’s already decided that I’m an evil witch, which is actually hilarious because Cory tried to accuse me of witchcraft in court because I’m kinda into new age stuff and paranormal romance is my favorite genre.
“Does it gross you out to know I consider this the prewash cycle?” I ask Mason with a smile as I set the plate on the ground so Violet can lick the remaining peanut butter off.
“Maybe a little, but as long as you wash it after, I suppose it’s fine.” He takes his shoes off and comes back to the couch, sitting in the middle. Violet jumps up on his side , worming her way into his lap. He chuckles as he pets her and scoots closer to me so she has room.
“Want to watch a movie?” I ask.
“I do, mostly so I can judge you based on your Netflix suggestions and what you’ve previously watched.”
“Oh my gosh!” I exclaim, getting excited. “I totally have this theory about how you can find out so much about a person based on their Netflix preferences! I’m trying to figure out a way to work it into my dating advice, but the whole Netflix and chill thing is more hookup culture. It still would make a great podcast episode.”
“I’m going to have to listen to a few of those.”
“Skip the ones where I give out sex advice.”
His brows go up. “You have episodes about sex advice? I’m listening to those first. You’re speaking from experience, right?”
“I am but I also have guest hosts and we answer questions.”
He looks at me curiously. “You’re not afraid to be yourself. I like that.”
“Thanks. And no, I’m not. This is me and I don’t see the point in sugar coating anything. Not everyone would go on a podcast and talk about sex, but we’re all adults and for the life of me I don’t understand why it’s taboo. The majority of people like it, and we like good sex.” As soon as I say it, I get a mental image of Mason in bed with me.
Sex with him wouldn’t just be good. It would be fucking fantastic.
“Here.” I pick up the remote and hand it to him. “Judge me while I use the bathroom.” Realizing that I’m starting to actually like the guy, I get up so I can put literal space between us. Other than being incredibly attractive, Mason is likable—nope. Don’t go there.
I can’t. I won’t. Not again.
By the time I come back into the living room after brushing my teeth, Mason has a movie picked out. It’s a comedy action movie about a group of FBI agents who go out and get drunk in Vegas but get called on a mission in the middle of partying. It’s funny and a good movie, but I’m so relaxed sitting here next to Mason, I let my eyes fall shut.
I don’t know the last time I had someone next to me who calmed my nervous system like this. One of the first things I noticed when he sat down was that he was wearing a gun in a holster. Mason isn’t messing around when it comes to keeping me safe, but it’s deeper than that. He listens. He cares. Hell, he remembered me very casually mentioning to Enzo that I like to eat apples and peanut butter as a snack with honey . I don’t even think Enzo listened to me saying that.
My eyes open only to flutter shut and the next thing I know, I’m asleep.
“Mira.”
I inhale, mind waking up but I don’t open my eyes.
“Mira.”
Is that a man’s voice? Holy shit it is! My eyes open and I sit up fast. Then I remember Mason is here and I dozed off on the couch. Though it seems I full on fell asleep because I’m half stretched out and Mason has an arm around me, keeping me from falling.
“You looked like you were having a nightmare.”
“Was I?” I ask and sit up. The TV is off and the only light filling the living room is coming from the large windows to our side. Violet is curled up, sleeping on a lounge chair, and Mason covered me with a blanket.
“You were twitching.”
“Oh.” I rub my hand over my face. “I guess I fell asleep.”
“You and me both.” Soft light from the buildings outside illuminates his face. “Want to go to bed?”
“Yeah, but, uh, I just…I just have my room.”
“I’m good on the couch.”
“You sure?” I ask and then regret it. If I bring Mason Harris into my room, I know exactly what’s going to happen. And by the way he’s looking at me, he does, too.
“Yes. The couch is comfy. Obviously.” He flashes a half smile. “Since we both knocked out pretty fast.”
I wiggle against the cushions. “Yeah. It’s not too bad.” And it really is way too fucking comfortable right now. Mason is at the end with his legs out in front of him on the chaise lounge part of the couch. And I’m sideways, with my head resting against his firm body. I feel so safe next to him and I don’t want to move. Mostly because I am just so comfortable and I really don’t know what will happen once I stand.
Will I turn and grab Mason’s hand, pulling him into the bedroom with me? Maybe he’ll get up and follow. It wouldn’t be terrible, would it? Not if it was just sex. Mason is the perfect person to have no-strings sex with. I’m attracted to him, which is the most important thing when you’re looking for a casual hookup. It doesn’t have to be any deeper than that.
He turns me on, I turn him on, and we fuck.
Then he leaves and we never have to talk again. Which isn’t going to work because we do have to talk again and things have to remain civil and not awkward between us. So I rationalize that the best thing to do is to stay right here.
I make no move to get up and instead let my eyes fall shut again. Mason doesn’t say anything and after a few minutes, I tip my head up and see that his eyes are shut and his breathing is slow and steady. He’s asleep. Turning on my side, I let my head rest against his thigh and close my eyes, falling asleep in just minutes.
“That is so romantic!” Elsie coos. We’re all sitting in the lounge at the barn and I just filled the girls in on everything that happened last night.
“Not really,” I shoot back, working to keep the smile off my face.
“He came over to protect you.” Elsie looks around, nodding as she tries to get Zara or Kat to agree. “That is romantic.”
“He’s doing his job.” I shrug. “That’s all.”
“That hunk of a man didn’t have to stay all night,” Zara prods. “He already sent a cop to drive by, came over and checked things out, and determined you were safe.”
“I know.” Pulling the band out of my braid, I shake my head back and forth. “He’s great and funny and kind but…”
“But…” Kat’s brows go up. “But he’s a man.”
“Not this again.” Elsie rolls her eyes. “Not all men suck.”
“Most do,” Kat, Zara, and I say at the same time.
“Do I need to remind you we’re all thirty-five and single?” Zara sighs.
“I’m thirty-three,” Elsie points out. “And Kat just turned thirty-five like a few weeks ago and Mira isn’t thirty-five yet.”
“I have until September to join you,” I tease, knowing Zara hates the fact that she’s not officially in her “late” thirties. “But really, this isn’t about anything more than trying to catch a bad guy. Oh, speaking of!” I hop off the leather couch and go over to my purse, which I left hanging on the back of a chair. We just got done riding and put the horses back out in the field, grumbling about the misting rain the entire time we walked back.
“He texted right before I got on.”
“Where did that phone come from?” Kat asks and I love that we know each other well enough she recognizes a new phone right away.
“The FBI. They really do have some creepy advanced tech. They were somehow able to backdate Instagram posts.” I unlock the phone and read Enzo’s text.
Enzo: Hey baby, just checking on you. Spent the night looking for that asshole and finally found him passed out on a bench at like 2AM. Had the cops take him in to sober up and then I bailed him out this morning and took him for coffee. We talked about getting his life straightened up.
“Seriously?” Kat asks with a laugh. “He thinks you’re going to buy that?”
“This guy is text book delusional.” I bite my lip, considering what to say, talking out loud as I type.
Me: OMG! That is insane. I’m so glad you’re okay!
I sent three melting-face emojis.
Me: You really are my hero!
“Okay but why would he make up that crazy story?” Elsie asks and I quickly recap what happened last night.
“I think you’re playing with fire,” Kat tells me and the rest of the group agrees. “I know how much you wanted to be out there chasing after bad guys, but you don’t have the same training or legal protection as an actual FBI agent.”
Before I can come up with a rebuttal, Enzo texts back.
Enzo: I’m just doing what I’d want someone to do for me. We all make mistakes in life.
I consider his words, putting on my profiler hat again. He’s giving me a half truth again, and I’m pretty sure I know it’s about his family.
Me: We do, and it’s so kind of you to help. I’m impressed! Are you busy tonight??
Enzo: I am, baby. Gotta go out of town and handle some business.
Me: Oh no! :-( Where are you going? Hopefully it’s somewhere fun!
Enzo: Jersey Shore. Got some fam there to visit. I’ll hit you up once I’m back next week.
Me: I hope you do! 3 Don’t forget about me
Enzo: You are unforgettable, baby.
“The way you switch your entire personality for this guy is impressive,” Kat tells me.
“Thanks.” I black out the screen. “It’s manipulation, at its finest. And this guy is easy because he’s so full of himself and his own bullshit he can’t see through anyone else’s.”
“Now he’s a bad man.” Elsie shakes her head. “But they're not all like that.”
“I wish I had your optimism.” Kat wrinkles her nose. “No, actually I don’t. Because then I might get married again.”
We laugh and trudge through the rain, leaving the comfort of the lounge. I have just enough time to go home, change, and take Violet for a walk before going into the office for back to back sessions the rest of the afternoon.
My real phone is still in my car, plugged into the charger. I have a few missed texts from my mom and Beth, my sister, and one from Mason. I open his first and blink as I read the words on the screen.
Mason: You’ll hear this on the news soon, so figured I’d tell you now. They found another body in Gary, Indiana. TOD matches with when EM left. Be careful, Mira .