Chapter 29
Charlotte
Mason’s glareat Leo would turn a lesser man to dust.
Leo, however, bleeding nose and all, just glares back. They are so alike in this way. And that swagger is what made me interested in Leo for a hot minute.
But he’s different than Mason too in ways that would never suit me. He’s impulsive, hot-tempered.
It’s Mason’s methodical control that keeps me from running scared. My fingers flex against Mason’s cheek. “I know if you really think this through, like you always do, you’ll know I’m right.”
He drops his face to mine, kissing the tip of my nose, and then both my cheeks, his kiss so light and gentle, he’s clearly worried he might break me.
“He’s going to need time, Charlotte,” Leo interjects. “He’s been angry at me for a while for being so like our father.”
Mason sits up straighter. “I’m not angry at you for that.”
“Yes, you are.” Leo’s voice gets harder too.
“I’m not.”
“Then why don’t you give me more responsibility?”
“Because…” Mason rumbles in frustration. “Your method of solving problems resulted in all of this…” He sweeps his hand around the room.
Leo winces. “Only because I was trying to prove myself to you.”
The doctor steps up to examine Leo’s nose and Mason and his brother stop talking. Instead, Mason looks down at me, his face softening. He reaches for the sling, helping me put it on my injured arm and then he helps me up from the hard counter to return to the couch. The shoulder still throbs and aches and once I’m settled on the couch, he gets a glass of water and one of the pills the doctor gave me.
I swallow it down, lounging back. I’d been about to run but between my shoulder, and Mason’s public affection, I know I’m not going anywhere. For once in my life, I’m going to stay right here and I’m going to ask Mason some of the hard questions.
How does he feel about me? What does he see in our future? It’s time for me to be a big girl.
But as he sits down next to me, settling my legs over his lap, his hand skates up my hip, settling on my waist. “Charlotte?”
“Yes?” I steel myself for whatever comes next because I know we’re about to really start talking. I want this, but my stomach still clenches.
“I’m in love with you.” His eyes are steady and strong as stares at me and my heart jumps into my throat as the air rushes from my lungs.
“I’m in love with you too.” I can’t hold back the words, and even if I could, everyone in this room knows it’s true.
“I want you to marry me.”
“Is that how you ask?” I know I’m playing a bit hard to get, but he deserves it. Still, my lips curl into a small smile.
“I did already buy a ring.”
I shake my head. I know I’ll say yes…eventually. I want to be part of Mason’s family, in part because Jake was right. It needs a bit of softening and that involves a little forgiveness and grace.
Mason picks up my book from the coffee table and flips to the beginning. He turns the pages, his expression stoic and difficult to read so I don’t try. Instead, I close my eyes, the medication starting to take effect.
The pain is diminishing, but it’s also making me sleepy.
I must drift off and I don’t wake until he brushes his fingers down my exposed leg. “When did you make this?”
“I finished it this morning before I got Leo’s texts.”
“And how long have you known how you felt…about me?”
“I don’t know,” I try to open my eyes, but my lids are so heavy. “Maybe always.”
“How long is she going to be asleep?”
I don’t hear the doctor’s answer. In fact, I don’t hear anything for a while.
I wake up a few times, all the men still there, but seated around the table. I have no idea how much time has passed. “Mason?”
He gets up immediately, leaving the conversation and bringing me a glass of water. Holding my head, he brings the glass to my lips.
Once I’m done drinking, he brushes my hair back. “Hungry?”
“Still tired.”
“Go back to sleep, sweetheart.” He kisses my forehead. “I’ll be here when you wake.”
“But what about your meeting?”
“You’re more important than any meeting.”
I blink in surprise. This is the meeting. The one he’s been waiting for where he keeps us all safe by making sure the other families fall in line. “But…”
“I’ll explain later. Go back to sleep.”
And then he kisses me again. I don’t mean to, but I do fall back to sleep, and I don’t wake again until the sun is setting in the Las Vegas sky.
The others have left, but Mason is still there, sitting across from me in one of the armchairs by the windows. “Mason?”
“You’re awake.”
“How long have I been asleep?”
He pushes out of the chair, coming to bend over me on the couch. “Eight hours at least. How is your arm?”
“It’s sore,” I say. My guess is it’s black and blue, but I don’t look now. “What time is it? What time is the meeting?”
“It starts soon.” He strokes my cheek, resting on his haunches in front of me.
“You’re going?”
His mouth twitches. “Roman can handle it.”
I shake my head, wishing I could get up too. I’m so sore though, and my body feels really heavy. “You have to go.”
“I need to take care of you.”
“I’m here to make you stronger. Not weaker.” I meet his gaze, hoping that he understands. I mean the words.
He leans forward, kissing my lips. “Is that what you’re going to do?”
“I think so.”
“See, I thought you were going to make certain I have a better work-life balance.”
I laugh but that makes my arm hurt. “And Leo? How did you end things with him?”
Mason frowns. “He’s sleeping in our bed, so clearly, I took your advice.”
That makes me smile. “Really?”
“Really. Which means, when I ask you to marry me, I’m fully expecting you to say yes.”
“Yes,” I answer automatically, not even sure which question I’m answering.
He kisses me long and slow. The kind that makes me feel cherished. And then he’s straightening up, heading to the fridge. He pulls out a takeout box, fixing me a plate.
“You need to eat.”
“Bossy,” I reply back, but the smell of the Thai food hits my nose, and my stomach gives a growl. I’m starving.
“Jackson is in the other bedroom. Do you need anything from in there? I’ll get it for you. I have no idea how that crusty old bird sleeps. But we don’t need you walking in and seeing any part of that.”
“I’ll be fine, Mason. Now go. Jackson and Leo are here if anything happens.”
He grimaces. “You’d trust Leo?”
The truth is, I think Leo has learned his lesson where I’m concerned. Maybe he’s learned a whole bunch of them. “I trust Jackson. And I assume you’ll leave him with a few pistols.”
Mason smiles but he sits down next to me. I start to slowly eat my noodles. He’s clearly not in a rush as he starts playing with my hair. “You got it.”
“It might be stressing me out that you haven’t left.”
“I know that this meeting is about our future, but I also understand that you are more important than any business venture.” He leans closer. “My priorities have never been clearer.”
I set down my chopsticks, looking at my fiancé. I do believe we are actually going to get married, and that is kind of crazy. “You’re going to go because this meeting is really about keeping our family safe.”
He looks at me for a long moment before he nods. “Well said, wife.”
“Not yet I’m not,” I answer but I know I’m smiling from his words.
“Soon.” He winks as he pushes up from his seat and goes into first one bedroom and then the other.
Both Jackson and Leo emerge, Leo immediately helps himself to his own plate of noodles. He’s got two black eyes to match his broken nose and I grin down into my noodles. I might have asked Mason to forgive Leo, but I’m not sorry that Leo probably hurts as much as I do.
Mason clears his throat. “I’m going to leave you all to eat. I need to?—”
“I’m coming with you,” Leo interrupts.
Mason shakes his head. “I don’t think?—”
“I don’t have to say a word. I just want to see Toni’s face.” Leo holds up his hand. “And I’m done competing with you Mason. I concede. You lead. I follow.”
“I appreciate that,” Mason says, cocking his head. “But I’m curious. What great blow is Carcetti getting tonight?”
Leo smiles at his brother. “I want it to be a surprise. Consider it a wedding gift. But first, I will need a clean shirt.”
“Fine,” Mason answers, giving me a long-suffering look before he pivots toward the bedroom. “This is your fault, Charlotte.”
“I’ll never forgive myself,” I answer with a giggle. Because I’m glad to see Mason and Leo getting along. This is how it should be.
Leo stops, looking between us. “You make a nice couple.”
Mason starts for his room. “Hell has frozen over.”
“Just wait…I’ve got an even bigger surprise for you tonight.” Leo looks almost giddy now.
“Should I be worried?” Mason stops and I set down my noodles. I asked Mason to forgive Leo. I didn’t make a mistake, did I?
“I don’t think so.” Leo shakes his head. “Though you might want to bring a weapon just in case. This is my brand of retribution, after all.”
What had Leo done?