Chapter Nine
The police have turned up nothing in my attack, and Mason’s investigators have drawn a blank as well.
Mason stays stitched to my hip for the next week.
He and Ian insist I stay with him until the guy is caught.
Amy agrees. “Jesus, girl, I can’t leave you for a fucking second, you’re trying to get yourself killed,” she says, nearly yelling into her phone.
“I’m fine, Amy. How are things going? Do you like New York? How is Wendy?”
“New York’s amazing, things are great, and Wendy and I are fine. Are you staying close to the tattoo god?”
“His name is Mason. And yes, I’m staying with him. The Striking Back waterpark and carnival is tomorrow, so don’t worry if you can’t get a hold of me.”
“All right, chick. I have to get to work. Call me if you need me.”
“I will.” I end the call and flop back on the couch. It’s been wonderful spending all this time with Mason. We’ve been out to dinner and the movies, spent hours curled up on the couch talking.
I love being with him, but I don’t want him spending time with me because he’s forced to, just because I’m in danger. After tomorrow, I’ll hire my own security and go back home. I can’t hide forever.
The day of the carnival and waterpark trip dawns bright and sunny. The temperature is supposed to top out at eighty-five degrees, a perfect day for swimming. As soon as I step out of Mason’s car, I’m seized by the waist and pulled against his hard body.
“What are you doing?”
He steps back into an alcove, taking me with him. “Getting a taste of you before we’re surrounded by impressionable kids.” His lips take mine in a powerful, skin tingling kiss while he squeezes my ass with both hands.
“You’ll just have to behave yourself.”
“I’ll do my best. Come on, you’ve been spotted,” he says with a laugh.
Jamie flies across the pavement, pigtails bouncing. “Ev-ly! I got a new swimsuit,” she cries, spinning in place in her pink striped one piece. “You like it?”
“It’s almost as pretty as you. Are you ready to play in the water?”
“Yep. Are you going to play with us?” Her little friend Samantha runs up and grabs her hand.
“Hurry up, Jamie. It’s our turn!”
“Go have fun, girls. I’ll see you in a little bit.” Sarah glances from me to Mason and smiles before leading the girls inside.
Once inside the park, we see the group from BTC splashing in the kid’s area. Matty spots Mason and waves excitedly. “Mr. Reed!” he calls, running to us. “I brought a ball. Want to play?”
I grin at Mason. “Let’s spend a little time with the kids first. Then we’ll make our escape.
” Mason plays ball with the boys while I join Sarah, Jamie, and Samantha on the kiddie slides.
After an hour or so, I hear an announcement calling everyone to the picnic area for lunch.
Mason has arranged to have pizza delivered for everyone, and the kids can’t get there fast enough.
As I’m wrapping a towel around me, firm hands land on my hips. “Come float in the lazy river with me. We’ll have it all to ourselves.” Goosebumps race across my neck as Mason kisses just below my ear.
“Are you going to take advantage of me?”
“I’ll do my best.”
He grabs an oversized innertube and settles into it before pulling me down to recline on his lap.
The tube dips and sways, making me squeal as it nearly tips over before stabilizing under our weight.
I laugh, lying back on his chest as we’re carried along the current.
When I look up at him, he takes my mouth in a soft but demanding kiss.
Carefully, I twist to bury my fingers in his damp hair.
He tastes amazing and I can’t resist dragging my tongue down his neck and across his chest. “You smell so good, Evie,” he moans, running his nose up my cheek.
“It’s the sunblock. They should make a perfume with that scent.”
“No, baby, it’s just you.”
I burrow my face into his neck, wallowing in his affection, breathing in the scent of his skin. A combination of chlorine, sunshine, and sweat that makes me want to say to hell with the waterpark, and drag him home to bed.
As soon as we float into a long blue tunnel, he grabs my lips with his and kisses me until we run out of air. His hands roam my bikini clad body, one running across my breasts, the other slipping between my legs. “Mason…”
“No one can see us in here.” Any further objections are forgotten when he pushes aside the crotch of my bottoms and strokes in just the right spot. It takes less than a minute to reach the end of the tunnel, and he quickly wraps his arms back around my waist.
“Tease.”
“I couldn’t look at you in that bikini any longer without touching you.”
“Now I’m all worked up.”
“Tonight, I’ll make it all worth it.” We both laugh when my stomach gives a loud growl. “I’ll go grab us some lunch and we can eat by the wave pool,” he offers.
“Sounds good. I’ll return the innertube and meet you there.” I hop out, and he follows me out of the lazy river, delivering a quick smack on my ass before heading off.
I take my time walking to the wave pool.
It feels so strange to be surrounded by empty slides and lounge chairs.
This place usually has thousands of people waiting in line for the attractions.
There are less than one hundred here today and they’re all in the picnic area, even the lifeguards.
The shimmering pool with its gentle waves calls to me.
Really, when will I ever have another chance to swim in it alone?
Warm water laps at my legs as I wade in until it’s deep enough to swim.
When I reach the far edge, I roll to float on my back.
Sunshine pours over my skin, warming me from head to toe, and I relax, allowing the waves to slowly take me back toward the shore. My eyes are closed, my mind filled with thoughts of Mason and how much fun we have together.
His bossy tendencies can get a little frustrating, but his loving, affectionate ways more than compensate. He loves me. I’ve never been happier.
A shadow falls across my face and before I can open my eyes, a hand shoves me underwater.
It only takes a second to register what’s happening and for panic to set in.
The water is only five feet deep and I struggle to get my feet under me.
When I feel the concrete on my soles, I push as hard as I can and my head breaks the surface.
I have just enough time to take a small breath before a hand tightens in my hair, nearly tearing it out. “I gave you every chance. You bitches. Always want the rich assholes,” a voice growls, and I’m shoved under again.
I try so hard not to panic, not to scream, but this is my worst nightmare come true.
I’m back in the car. Water pours through the windows and I can’t get my seatbelt off.
I scream at Mommy and Daddy, but they won’t wake up.
Blood coats Mommy’s hair, and I remember how it swirls pink in the water.
I scream until I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I CAN’T brEATHE.
The world grows hazy and dim until my lungs no longer feel like they’re full of lava. Someone is calling my name, and I hear choking and retching. It takes a second to realize it’s me, and I finally draw enough air to scream.
Cool, wet skin presses against mine. “No, Evie. You’re okay.
I’ve got you. Open your eyes.” The sight of Mason’s ocean blue gaze instantly makes me cry.
He cradles me against his chest for a moment.
“You’re okay. I’m right here beside you.
You’re going to be fine, but I need you to go with Alex a minute. ”
“No.” I feel safe in his arms, but he hands me over to Alex, who holds me close and carries me out of the pool. I see why when I look back. Mason is beating the shit out of whoever tried to drown me. Blood mixes with the water and I close my eyes against the childhood flashbacks.
Alex places me on his lap and wraps a towel around my shoulders, consoling me while I cry. “It’s over, Everly. Everything will be okay.” Mason drags the bloody, unconscious man to the shore and signals to Alex. “Come on, honey. You need to see if you recognize who attacked you.”
My legs are weak and shaky as I’m lead closer to the man who’s been stalking me. “Is he dead?” Please say Mason didn’t kill him. He’ll go to prison.
“No, but he’ll wish he was,” Mason says, taking my hand and leading me closer.
My chest rises on a gasp, sending a sharp pain through my lungs. “Danny.”
“Who is he, Evie?” Mason asks.
“Danny Fennel, a counselor at Building Tomorrow’s Child. You met him for a second at Matty’s birthday party. He asked me out a few times.” I stare at his lifeless form in disbelief. “Why?”
“Cops are on their way,” Parker says, jogging up to join us. “You okay, Everly?”
No, I’m not okay. Right now I’m really, really pissed. This asshole has attacked me twice, just because I wouldn’t date him?
“Whoa!” Parker yells when I kick Danny in the ribs as hard as I can. Not the smartest move when you’re wearing water shoes. Parker laughs, and Mason scoops me up before I can kick again.
“That’s enough. You’ll hurt yourself. The cops are coming,” Mason warns.
Less than an hour later, Danny has been arrested and I’m sitting on a lounge chair, surrounded by the Reed brothers. Mason kisses my forehead and murmurs, “Let’s get you home.”
“No, I’m good. I don’t want to let him ruin another day. I want to go to the carnival with you tonight. He’s not making me miss out on a funnel cake.”
Alex chuckles and kisses my cheek before getting to his feet. “This one’s a keeper, Mason.” He turns to Parker. “Let’s leave them alone.”
My gaze alternates between them. “Thank you so much. Both of you.”
“Anytime, Everly,” Parker replies with a grin. “You’re Mason’s girl. You’re one of us. Better get used to it.”
They walk off, leaving us alone. “You saved me,” I murmur, laying a palm against Mason’s cheek.
“I never should’ve left you alone.”
“You can’t be with me every minute.”