Chapter 32
EVA
I feel like a star fallen out of its orbit, untethered and aimless, spinning through the sky, wherever gravity takes me.
Not that I’m complaining.
I have voluntarily submitted myself to my red monster, and he’s devouring me like I’m his final meal before the apocalypse.
He has fucked me in every corner of The Barrel.
He’ll randomly pull me into his lap when I am studying in the lounge or pounce on me if he finds me watching him work out, then lifts me instead.
The other day, I was teasing him with a carrot while he was cooking us lasagna.
He sat me on the counter and fucked me into oblivion while the oven blew smoke.
Apparently, food is determined to set itself on fire if I’m remotely involved.
He has been softer outside of sex. He cooks for me most days, takes me to the theater often, then on a ride to our hilltop spot, and always accompanies me to the restaurants when I go out for a meal with my friends.
Though he still acts like a dick. If I grab a chip off Caden’s plate, he’ll order me a whole bowl.
If someone accidentally knocks into me when I’m dancing with Penny at The Vault, he gets them kicked out.
If I wear heels higher than two inches, he’ll rip them off my feet on the way home and carry me instead.
Just the usual crazy. Nothing new.
At least I no longer have to concern myself with other women who leer after him. Not because they have stopped—far from it. My presence does nothing to deter them, either. But if anyone approaches, Mason grabs me and kisses me raw—a declaration—until they finally turn away.
I ride with Mason to the campus. Jack is always lingering in the parking lot when we arrive, which frustrates Mason.
Now that I live with him, he doesn’t want Jack around.
Jack dismissed the rest of the guards, at my request, but there is no way I can convince Dan and Grandpa to leave me alone with Mason.
Not only because they would never trust anyone outside of Etheridge security, but Jack also doubles as their agent to keep an eye on Mason.
They reacted exactly as I expected to my decision to move to The Barrel—terribly.
Dan has gone all in on his ludicrous plan to take down Reginald Grant.
He’s slowly expanding into Fort and neighboring lands, targeting any tender that’s a hit to the Fort Council.
He’s not even in the country. Apparently, when you are a fancy new billionaire, you can ruin your sister’s life on a business trip to the States.
Last week, Caden and I dropped by the grocery store.
An old man jumped out of a corner and gave me a long lecture, right in the middle of aisle seven.
I didn’t catch much of it, but it was clear his farm suffered because of recent acquisitions.
Jack got me out of there swiftly, before more eyes caught us.
Mason wouldn’t tell me anything. His answer to any question regarding Dan’s investments is to fuck me until I give up asking.
The only person I support in this feud is the unlikeliest of all—Mason’s father. The one person who wants a truce between our families more than me is Reginald Grant. Why? I don’t know, and I don’t care. If he can end this archaic rivalry, he’s got my vote.
The Barrel’s quiet tranquility has been a refreshing change to my chaotic mind, but I miss my friends.
I still spend most weekday evenings with Thea in the library, buried in our coursework.
Caden and Penny have been tagging along, too, which is good, because there is no way I’m getting through the tests without Caden’s help, given how distracted I have been.
Their company keeps me balanced. I welcome any opportunity to spend more time with them. Like now.
“I swear he hasn’t looked up in an hour,” Penny whispers, appraising James, who is lounging on the armchair by the entrance of the salon, while Penny, Thea, and I are getting our nails done.
Jack had to go back to London for a family emergency, so I’m getting firsthand experience of what Fort security feels like.
“And I thought I was bad,” Penny scoffs. “What’s on that phone? I bet my Louis Vuitton, it’s something illegal.”
“No idea.” I shrug. “He’s always like that. I don’t think I have ever seen his whole face.”
“That’s probably good for his face, given what your boyfriend’s like,” Caden jokes beside me, also scrolling on his phone.
“Ha-ha.” I frown. “No Mason jokes today. I’m nervous enough.”
“Why are you nervous? Didn’t you meet his mother already?” Thea asks as the nail technician works her nails to precision. “I hear she’s nice.”
“She is. Scary nice, but nice. That’s why I couldn’t refuse the invitation. But it’s not her I’m worried about.” I let out a deep sigh. “The last time I saw Reginald Grant was in an intense altercation with Grandpa and Dan. I don’t even want to know what he thinks of me dating Mason.”
“Why don’t you tell Mason you’re worried about it?” Caden laughs. “Maybe he’ll get you a ring.”
“Okay, who invited him?” I slap the table.
“I’m trying to defuse the tension.” Caden throws out a lazy arm.
“Not working,” I drawl. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and go find out who is coming to this lunch, so I can mentally prepare myself?”
“Talk to him?” Caden points at James. “What am I supposed to say?”
“I don’t know, be creative.” I fake smile. Caden groans but stands. I grab the phone from his hand. “Don’t think you need that.”
Caden shakes his head but casually strolls over to James and takes the seat across from him. I wait until he starts a conversation, then swipe his phone and enter his passcode.
“Eva,” Thea hisses in shock. “You can’t do that.”
“He’s been very suspicious,” I whisper, scrolling. “I need to know what he’s up to.”
“Not like this.” Thea steals the cell from me, placing it out of my reach. “Don’t take your frustration out on him.”
“Yeah, back off Ginger,” Penny chimes in with a smile toward Caden.
“Okay, why are you both suddenly defensive of Caden?”
“He’s been bringing us delicious takeouts, and he’s not a sore loser at games like you,” Penny answers with a sweet smile.
“And he cooks the best chili con carne,” Thea adds. “As the only cook in the house, I really appreciate that.”
“Oh, great. So you all have been eating like queens and having fun with my friend without me?”
“Hey, don’t hate.” Penny shrugs. “You’re the one who abandoned us.”
“I didn’t have much choice in that.” I make a face, then blow on my manicured nails once the technician adds the oils to my cuticles.
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re miserable with your hot boyfriend.” Penny rolls her eyes. “Speaking of whom…” She glances over Thea and my shoulders.
Both of us turn our heads, following her gaze to the glass wall of the salon behind us. A familiar black Jeep is parked across the street.
“Is that Kane?” Thea gasps, her voice sharp with alarm. “You didn’t say he was coming.”
“I didn’t know,” I whisper, looking from Thea’s strained face to Kane’s Jeep, confused. “Why?”
“No reason,” Thea murmurs and snaps her hand back from the nail technician, making the varnish run all over her finger. “Excuse me, I need the washroom.”
Penny and I stare after her as Thea picks up her bag and dashes for the toilets.
“What the hell was that about?” Penny frowns.
I shrug, my eyes dragging back to Kane’s Jeep as Mason steps out of the passenger side and crosses the street without looking either way. The door pings when he enters the salon. James rises from his seat, exchanges a quick word with Mason, then leaves with Kane.
“Hey, Mason,” Penny sings as Mason walks up to me in a freshly pressed black shirt and jeans.
“Reid.” Mason nods in her direction. “Still talking in your sleep?”
Penny’s jaw drops, her eyes flash to me. “You told him,” she mouths.
I shake my head and mouth back, “ignore him.”
“You done?” Mason asks me, his hands sliding on either side of my armrests from behind.
“Actually, I was just telling Penny, I’m not feeling very well.”
Penny, the most loyal friend in the world, nods along with my lies without hesitation.
“Really?” Mason smirks. “Well, Beth is going to be there. I’ll make sure she gives you a thorough examination.”
“But…” I start, then gasp when he tilts my chair back, front legs lifted off the floor. I fall into Mason, my freshly varnished nails digging into his arm.
“You can come nicely, or I can take you with the chair,” he warns.
“Always with the threats,” I complain with a pout.
“It’s only threats if I don’t follow through on them.” He smiles, then whispers close to my ear. “Come with me now, and it will be my mouth. Delay any longer, and it will be yours.”
I flush red and lean forward, jumping off the chair in an instant.
An hour later, Mason walks me into Grant Manor, an extravagant estate the size of a country club, set overlooking beautiful scenic hills.
From the number of cars parked outside, this lunch seems bigger than I thought.
Suddenly, I’m glad I chose a royal blue skater dress that has a subtle sweetheart neckline and ends just above my knees—classy enough for a formal gathering, not too much for an informal one.
Mason chuckles at my expression as I take in the white stone pillars and wide hallways, my fingers nervously raking the long strands of my hair, feet dragging in my kitten heels.
“Can you relax?” he whispers, side-eyeing me. “The staff are going to think you are here to raid the house.”
“I don’t plan to steal much. All I need is keys to one of those cars.” I motion toward the porch.
“I wouldn’t, little dove. Those cars belong to the Council families. They would love to have an excuse to get revenge on an Etheridge.”
What?
“Then why the hell did you bring me here?” I whisper-yell. I didn’t want to face Reginald, now I have to see generations of locals, all with a vendetta?