21. MASON
MASON
I’ve been layingon top of her, our arms wrapped around each other in the tub for a while now. We’ve both been in our own heads for the last little while, after I told her that I couldn’t give her what she wanted.
Atfirst when I promised Hunter that I would do whatever she wanted even if that meant leaving her alone, I fully intended to keep that promise to him but now… I just can’t. She’s my everything, my lifeline and I don’t think I’d make it if I didn’t have her in my life anymore.
Iplace a kiss on her forehead before looking down at her. She looks up at me and I can see the confusion on her face. I can see the different emotions warring for dominance behind those sad eyes of hers.
Itbreaks my heart and I wish I could fix it all for her. I wish I could take away all the pain and confusion she’s feeling. I wish I could also take away all the nightmares she’s been having. There’s so much I wish I could do, but the reality is that I can’t do jack shit.
“Whatever you’re thinking about so hard just leave it for tomorrow and get some rest for tonight,”
“I’m not?—”
“Don’t lie baby. I can see it in your eyes. Don’t forget I know what every expression on your pretty face means.”
“I just?—”
“Shhh. Today was a very taxing day. I mean it’s not every day you get to see your man kill someone right?” I say trying to lighten the mood.
“Not funny!”
“I know babe. I’m just trying to get you to rest for tonight. It’s been a long day. It’ll get better, someday. I mean it has to, right?”
“I honestly don’t know. With the way everything feels I want to doubt it but who the hell knows anymore.”
“I’ll fight tooth and nail to make sure it happens,” I tell her before I get up and step out of the tub. I quickly dry my skin and wrap a towel around my waist before helping her out too.
Iwrap her up in a towel and then lift her bridal style up into my arms before walking back to her room. I place her on her feet by the side of her bed and then get to work on drying her skin. I go and grab her lotion, a pair of panties and her pajamas before walking back to her and I help her put her panties on.
“I can do all of this for myself you know,”
“I know. ButI want to do it for you. I want to take care of you, so please let me.”
Next, I put her to sit on the edge of the bed and I kneel down in front of her. I start to rub the lotion into her legs while also giving her a massage. She lets out a cute little moan as my fingers work on her skin. WhenI’m done with her legs, I stand up and then gently push her onto her back.
Isquirt some more lotion onto my hands and rub it onto her stomach all the way up to her breasts, her chest and then her arms. I continue to rubbing for a while, massaging her shoulders too. My aim is to help release some of the tension in her body so that she can relax.
“Roll over onto your stomach baby,” I request a moment later. She must be feeling pretty relaxed already because she doesn’t give me any shit.
Irub the back of her legs and then move to straddle her butt. I place both my hands on her back and begin to massage the lotion into her skin. I hear another moan leave her as I do her shoulders from the back and then I gently rub along her spine with just a little pressure but still being careful with her injuries so I don’t hurt her. I massage her for about twenty minutes without either of us saying a word until I decide to break the silence.
“How do you feel?”
“It feels so good,” she murmurs, sounding sleepy.
Ibend down and place a kiss to the back of her head before getting up and off of her. I tap her leg to get her to turn back over and when she does, I help her into a sitting position before helping her put her pajamas on.
Oncethat’s done, I help her get in under the covers and I follow, pulling her into my arms. Shit! I realize I’m still in only my towel but that can’t be helped right now.
“Um…”
“Shhh. I’m just going to hold you until you fall asleep. Nothing else tonight.”
“Okay,” she says with a little sigh. I’m sitting up with my back against the headboard while she’s laying on my chest. I squeeze her just a little tighter before easing my hold but still keeping her wrapped up in my arms. I’ve always loved holding her like this whenever we were in bed.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes,”
“Okay, just close your eyes and get some sleep baby,”
“I want to leave tomorrow,” she says suddenly.
“Um, are you sure baby? We don’t have to rush back just yet. We can stay a little while longer until you are stronger and have healed a little more,”
“No. I can’t hide here forever. I want to leave tomorrow.”
“Okay baby, shhh. You’re running the show, don’t worry. We’ll leave tomorrow if that’s what you want,” I tell her.
“Okay. And yes, that’s what I want,” she whispers and then yawns. I start singing to her softly until she falls asleep in my arms.
Ilay there next to her for a while just cuddling with her. When it’s time to leave the room, I place a kiss on her forehead, settle her down on the bed and then get up. I make sure the nightlight is on before closing the door gently behind me.
Imake my way to the living room where I know Hunter and Gray will be and as soon as I enter the room Hunter lifts his hands up and covers his eyes. I look at him wondering what the fuck is wrong with him now and just roll my eyes at his antics. He always has a flair for the dramatics.
“Why the hell are you out here in just your towel?” he asks. Shit! I forgot I was only in said towel but whatever. “I do not need to see this shit right now.”
“That doesn’t matter. I have some shit to discuss,”
“Eww, were you having sex with my sister? I’m going to murder you!” he jokes. Well, at least I think he’s joking. I mean you never know which way the wind blows with this one.
“No asshole! Geez. I didn’t get a chance to change after I helped her get clean and I came out here because I have something important to discuss. And anyway, we’re a couple what the fuck else do you expect to happen?”
“Well, what is this important thing that you have to discuss? And besides…” he says smirking. “Technically, you’re not a couple. She still hates you.”
“Shut the fuck up, you ass, before I shoot you! We’re a couple if I say we’re a couple!” I snap and Hunter the dickhead makes a show of zipping his lips. I just roll my eyes at him again. I need all the patience I can muster when it comes to dealing with his ass. “Your sister wants to leave tomorrow.”
“What? This soon?”
“Yep, and if we don’t leave tomorrow, I have a feeling she’s going to throw the mother of all tantrums,”
“Hmm, she does like getting her way. What’s the plan for when we get back to Ravenwood? I’m assuming you have one because your father is still out there,”
“Yes, I have it all sorted already and don’t worry he’s not getting anywhere near her.”
“AlrightI’ll assume you know what you’re doing and leave you to it. Let me go tell my men to get ready to leave in the morning and call in the flight plan,” Hunter says before getting up and walking out the door.
“You good?” I turn to Gray and ask him.
“Yeah man. I hope you guys work it out because I love her,” he says and I give him the side eye.
“What?”
“Not like that you ass!” he grins. “I love her like a sister and I hate that I failed her so much. I still feel so guilty about everything that went down.”
Iwalk over to the couch and sit next to him before throwing my arm around his shoulders. Looks like I’m going to have to get this one into therapy as well. MaybeI should get them to do a session together. Yeah, I think I’ll try that when we get home.
“Hey, don’t feel guilty about anything because none of it was your fault. It was all mine and I’ll be the one to carry all the guilt where she’s concerned and for everything, I did to her. I know for a fact that she loves you too, so just let me worry about making it all up to her.”
“I guess,” he says with a sigh.
“Stop worrying,” I say, giving him a kiss on the forehead, just as Hunter comes back in.
“My guys will be ready to roll by morning.”
“Okay good. I’ll go make some calls to my guys to make sure they’re ready over there. What time is our flight?”
“Whenever we get there,”
“Sounds good. Now you two go get some sleep,” I tell them both before leaving the room. I have every intention of heading to my own room but when I pass by hers, I change my mind. I quietly slip into bed with her again and pull her into my arms. In no time, I’m fast asleep.
* * *
By the timewe wake up in the morning she’s back to the silent treatment. I let out a sigh because why the fuck me? Don’t answer, it’s rhetorical. Obviously, I know the whys, even if I hate it.
Ihelp her get ready and then have to force feed breakfast to her in the kitchen because she didn’t want to eat and won’t speak either. All the way to the airport she still doesn’t say a word. She just looks lost in her head. I leave her be for the time being but stay close in case she needs anything.
Whenwe get on the private jet, I seat her by one of the windows and buckle her in, before sitting next to her with Hunter and my brother across from us. I’m glad that I’m not the only one she’s giving the silent treatment to since she hasn’t spoken to either Hunt or Gray this morning.
Iwish I knew what the hell was going on in that brain of hers. I clasp her hand in mine the entire flight and when we land, I help her unbuckle her seatbelt, guiding her to the front, with my hand on her lower back. She halts her steps for a moment when she gets to the jet’s door and sees the outside.
Onthe tarmac, the men I hired as security are waiting for us, with a few Escalades to take us home with. She’s going to be getting round-the-clock security from now on until the issue with Emilia and my father is resolved.
Infact, even after all this shit is resolved she’ll still be having round-the-clock security. I’m not taking any chances with her life anymore. I can see the questions in her eyes, but she still doesn’t say a word.
Igrab her hand and start to walk down the steps first keeping her behind me just in case. I don’t expect anything to go down right now and even if it did all the men are capable of containing the situation. No one except my men, my best friends and everyone who was at the cabin knows we’re here. I tried my best to keep it all under wraps.
Wequickly move to one of the Escalades and Hunter hops in front with the driver while Grayson hops in the back with Winter and me. We drive off a moment later with us in the middle, while two of the SUV’s take the front and two take the back.
“Where are we going?” Gray is the first one to ask when he notices that we’re not heading downtown to where the apartment is.
“You’ll see soon enough. It’s a surprise.”
Wedrive until we”re close to the outskirts of town and we come up to huge iron gates. The gates open and we drive down the long driveway with trees on both sides, so that the mansion is covered for privacy.
Amoment later the large white mansion comes into view and so does the surprise I had set up on the front lawn and I hear her gasp of shock. We all get out when the SUV comes to a stop in front of the doors and Hunter lets out a whistle. My men disperse and go with the others that are currently patrolling the grounds.
“Make sure the guys are all ready for a briefing later,” I tell my head of security.
“Yes sir, I’ll get them all ready,” he says before leaving us.
“What is this place? And why are we here?” my baby asks, finally breaking her silence.
“This, my love is our new home,”
“You bought us a mansion?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“Because this is where we’re going to live together. I’m not going to be apart from you any longer. Plus, this is much safer than the apartment,” I tell her before lifting her up in my arms bridal style and walking into the mansion.
“But—”
“Shhh. This is happening. Are you tired? Do you want to take a nap?” I ask since she looks tired and a bit overwhelmed.
“Uh, yes please.”
“I’ll be back down in a moment guys,” I tell Hunt and Gray, as I begin walking up the stairs with her still in my arms. I take us up to the master bedroom and lay her down gently on the bed. Of course, she peppers me with questions while we’re up here, until I cut her off asking, “Do you want me to lay here with you until you fall asleep?”
“N-no, I’m okay.”
“Okay baby. I’ll be right downstairs if you need anything,” I tell her before placing a kiss on her forehead and she just nods her head in response.
WhenI head back downstairs, I meet the household staff and ask the chef to heat up the soup that I asked to be prepared for today. A few minutes later I take a tray with a bowl of soup and some juice up to her and I have to feed her yet again because she’s so damn stubborn. She makes a fuss, and I put my foot down before she begrudgingly eats her food.
“Later, after you’ve rested, I’ll give you a tour of the mansion and introduce you to the staff,” I tell her before tucking her in and leaving the room.
WhenI head back downstairs, I see that Nate, Royce, and Beck have all arrived. I give them all the bro hug as we all, including Hunt and my brother, head to my office. It’s a big office, so they all take a seat on the chairs around the room while I sit behind my desk.
“So, I take it this is where the two of you are going to be living now?” Hunter asks, starting the convo.
“Yep. And you can stay here for as long as you want, since you will always have a room here.” I tell him and then turn to look at my brother. “You have a permanent room here since you’ll be living with us. I don’t want you anywhere near that asshole and I have to keep you safe too.”
“Are you sure I won’t be imposing—” he starts but I cut him off.
“Don’t be an ass like Hunter bro. Of course, you won’t be imposing. This is your home too.”
“Hey! You’re more of an ass than I am dickhead!” Hunter snorts.
“You’re not leaving anytime soon, right?”
“Nope. Home is where my sister is,” he says and I nod my head.
“What’s the latest with Amber and those three clowns that follow her around?” I ask, directing my question to Nate, Royce, and Beck.
“They’re all hooked on the cocktail we’ve been giving them and have been making complete fools of themselves all over the place,” Nate tells me.
“That’s good. Where are they now?”
“When you called and said you were coming, we took them back to the warehouse and we’re keeping them there,” Royce says.
“Let’s go deal with them then. My girl is back now, I don’t want her to see them around anywhere. As to not trigger any kind of relapse, after what they did to her.”
“Let’s go then. We’re ready to get rid of them already. They’re just dregs of society that shouldn’t be here anymore,” Beck huffs out.
“Let’s go,” I say and then turn to Hunter and Gray. “You two stay here. I need the two of you to keep her company in case she comes down and I’m not back yet. Besides, I’d feel a whole lot better with you two here watching over her. I trust my men, but you can never be too careful.”
Theyboth nod and then the guys and I leave. Royce drives us to the warehouse and when he opens the room to where the four of them are sitting tied to chairs, they definitely don’t look like they used to. They’ve lost some weight and their appearance is starting to change. They look like the strung-out whores that they really are.
“Please help me,” Amber is the first one to look up and speak. She lets out a gasp when she finally gets a good look and sees that it’s me.
“No one here is going to help you. You wouldn’t be in this situation right now if you had only fucking listened to me, when I told you to leave my girl alone. But you didn’t and now here we are. My girl is back home where she belongs and I can’t have you anywhere near her, so I’m here to finally put an end to your misery.”
“P-pl-please. I won’t go anywhere near her again,” she sobs weakly.
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” I tell her and then turn to look at my guys. “Let’s get this over with. I don’t want to be away from my girl for too long.”
Theyall nod, as we each grab a syringe filled with a more potent dose of heroin and inject it into their veins. We give them two more doses just to make sure it works perfectly and I watch with no emotion as they eventually OD from it. Once they’re dead some of Hunter’s men enter the room.
“We’ve been instructed to handle the cleanup,” one of the men says to me.
“No worries. Don’t get rid of them. Place them somewhere where they’ll be found. I want their families to think they killed themselves with an overdose, since everyone knows they recently became drug addicts.”
“No problem, sir.”
It’salready dark by the time we leave to make our way back to the mansion. We all step inside the house and hear voices coming from the living room, so I figure Hunter and Gray are in there. Me and the guys head in that direction and I come to a complete stop, when I see the person that’s standing there by the windows looking out at the view.
“Holy fucking shit, is that…” is all I manage to mutter as I stand there in shock.