Chapter 28
Mason
Watching Linc and Lou together, I had never seen him happier.
That little girl and her mom had brought him back to life in a way none of us realized was needed.
I had always idolized my big brother, his quiet confidence and quick decision-making.
When he moved away after high school, I was upset, but I wanted him to be happy.
After Linc came back, though, he was different. Not as sure of himself, and a little lost. It made me furious to see him so shaken. That was my first year as a cop. Even as a rookie, I was determined to keep an eye on him, on my whole family. That now extended to Sophie and Lou.
Everyone clocked the change in Lou’s demeanor as soon as the two overdressed women, each pinned and plucked within an inch of their life, stopped by our table.
I didn’t understand those people. They had so much to be thankful and grateful for, but it was never enough.
Dad and I watched Linc warily, waiting to see how he was going to play it. We didn’t factor my mother in, though.
With a force only Judge Lennox could pull off, she not only protected Lou, but with artful precision, cut both women down in front of everyone.
Using only the truth, she shared her adoration for Eloise and her clear displeasure at their lack of care with her.
Enjoying the show, I saw when Max’s mother decided to back down.
“When you’re done with dinner, please come by and spend some time with your father. He misses you,” the old hag had the audacity to claim. I snorted, receiving startled looks from Helen and Natalia.
What did they expect? That we’d believe any of their bullshit? Impotent rage radiated off of Helen, while Natalia just looked defeated. They both left in a huff as Mom returned to the table, Lou clinging to her like a spider monkey.
“Don’t worry, beautiful girl. You’re not going anywhere without one of us tonight,” Ma whispered into Lou’s hair as the little girl hugged her tighter. Linc bent down and pressed a kiss to Mom’s cheek before kissing Lou on the head. With a nod at me, I met him at the other end of the table.
“Lindsey’s here. Lou is the one who spotted her,” he said, his voice full of anger.
“Lou? How did she know what Lindsey looked like?” I was confused.
“Pointed her out as the mean lady who told her that I was just pretending to like her.” Linc let it sink in before going on.
“She’s stalking my family. Telling my kid I don’t want her. She needs to go. Preferably before she can start whatever shit she’s planning for tonight.”
Money could hide a lot of things, but it could also strip a person bare, revealing everything. That night, it allowed us to see the people around us for who they really were.
Ugly, spoiled, and self-centered, Helen, Natalia, and Max all moved around with their personal motivations at the forefront. No care for who they took out around them or the damage left in their wake.
Lindsey was an opportunist of the highest form, able to adapt and mold herself to take advantage of any situation. Max took after his mom; entitled and manipulative. He knew the right people to push and prod to get what he wanted.
Halfway through dinner, I froze, having caught sight of Lindsey out of the corner of my eye. Looking over, I saw Linc happily distracted, cutting up Lou’s food. Sophie had stepped out to use the restroom some time ago, but the place was huge.
Excusing myself with a murmur, no one really paid attention, and I was grateful. Worried that seeing Lindsey would stress Lou out, I decided to get it over with then.
She was hovering just inside the door, looking out into the hallway, as if watching for someone. I kept my head low and brushed close to her, my hand grazing her arm until I was in position.
“Woah there, Handsome. Y-you…” she stuttered out as recognition dawned on her face. Grabbing her upper arm, I guided us both out of the ballroom and into a discreet corner in the foyer.
“What did you do?” I asked. Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine. Lindsey’s hands were fidgeting, and her lipstick was smudged from where she was nervously chewing on her lips.
“Fuck off, Mason. Your whole family are so full of yourselves. What makes you think the reason I’m here has anything to do with you?”
“Because Maxwell Townsend contacted you months ago and has been paying you since. You meet at his office or at the hotel he’s paying for.
He bought that dress and got you that invitation.
Max only cares about Sophie. He’s not doing all this for you.
I’m not on duty for obvious reasons, but my partner is.
I could have her here in a minute, detain you for the rest of the night. ”
“You’re a cop?” she asked, her eyes widening.
“Yep. Oh, and that hit and run that happened back in LA? It was your boyfriend’s car on those traffic cams. I’m pretty sure they confirmed you were the driver, though, which means there might be an active warrant out for your arrest. It’s my duty to call this in,” I told her, watching as she squirmed.
We hadn’t actually confirmed Lindsey was even in the car, but the guilty expression she wore and the way her breathing sped up was answer enough. A panicked expression broke out on her face before she turned to me, pleading.
“Look, I didn’t do anything illegal! Max just wanted me to ask Sophie to talk to him alone. They’re in one of the back gardens,” she muttered, but I knew that wasn’t the whole truth. The way she was looking at everything but me had my whole body going on alert.
Pulling out my phone, I texted Linc, Dad, and Walt. I considered leaving Linc out, worried what he would do if he thought Sophie was in trouble, but knew he would figure it out anyway.
Max took Sophie to the back gardens. I have Lindsey.
We needed to move quickly, but I didn’t want her to escape. Using my grip on her arm, I dragged her behind me as she asked inane questions.
“Where are you taking me? I didn’t do anything!” Finally spotting a security guard, I yelled for him.
“I’m a cop. Hold her until my partner gets here. Send whoever else you have on staff to the back gardens. Someone might be injured,” I told him as the portly man looked at me in stunned silence. Flashing my badge, I watched as he grabbed Lindsey.
“Use your fucking radio! Don’t let her leave,” I yelled as shouting reached my ears, Linc running full speed past me.
By the time I made it to the garden, it was a fucking shit show.
Sophie was slumped on her side, gasping for breath, as Linc was pummeling Max into the ground.
As my parents burst into the yard behind me, in unspoken harmony, we started moving.
Dad and I pulled Linc off Max’s prone form, not wanting him to go to prison.
Those twits came next, squawking over the piece of shit who had attacked Sophie.
When Sophie told us that Lindsey had set her up, I was already a step ahead.
My partner was there by the time I got back, and switched from detaining Lindsey to arresting her.
We had enough probable cause to charge her with conspiracy and attempted assault in connection with her role in luring Sophie.
More officers headed to the crime scene, but the paramedics came first. Both Sophie and Max were taken to the hospital.
Max was cuffed to his bed while they examined him.
Unsure of the full extent of his injuries.
It was clear he at least had a busted nose and bruised ribs, if the constant whining meant anything.
The bruises appearing under his eyes and the winces Max made with each move also pointed to the fact that Linc had landed more than one punch.
As much as I tried to get an update, I wasn’t really allowed anywhere near the investigation.
Out of courtesy, the department was keeping me updated.
Just outside Max’s room, I hesitated as Walt walked toward me.
“You need anything?” I asked, taking in his haggard expression. As much as we all knew or prepared for shit to go sideways, I don’t think any of us imagined that was where we would wind up.
“No. I just have to get this done with.” He was radiating with fury. I knew he blamed himself for Sophie getting hurt. We all blamed ourselves.
“You did everything you could, Walt. Go say what you need to, then come find us. We’ll figure out next steps together. You’re not alone in this.” I squeezed the man’s shoulder. He was a proud man who loved his family dearly, so this wasn’t an easy pill to swallow.
“Thank you. And Linc… For protecting my Sophie when I couldn’t.”
“Enough of that. You’re about to have company, so buck up, buttercup. Time to show them why you’re in charge. I’ll let Sophie know you’re coming by soon.”
The two women came to a stop behind Walt, eyeing the both of us with fear and anger.
Walt turned to look at them before facing me.
He closed his eyes for a beat as if willing himself to find strength.
His eyes opened, and with renewed purpose, he looked at me, ignoring the burdens waiting behind him.
“I’ll see you soon.” He patted me on the back and headed for Max’s hospital room without so much as acknowledging either woman. The mother rushed in after him, her movements comical in her too-tight dress and too-tall heels.
Natalia was a bit slower, her eyes watching me warily before widening in fear as she realized the police were both inside and outside the hospital room Max was in. Brooks, my friend and one of the cops stationed outside the room, gave me a look.
“$20 says she slipped him something. Girl looks guiltier than sin.” I snorted but didn’t disagree.
Walking away quickly, I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the interrogation.
When I got back to Sophie’s room, it was just her and Linc.
Unsure what lies they had to tell Mom to get her out of there, I hesitated outside the door long enough to realize I was about to interrupt a personal moment.