Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
The first thing Vivi noticed when she woke up was the soreness. She let out a stifled groan as she stretched her legs, all the memories from last night flooding back in rapid succession.
“You okay?” Mason’s voice was thick and raspy with sleep, but she welcomed the way it wrapped around her as she snuggled back into him.
“Good.” She cleared her throat. “My body is just a little worn out from last night. I found muscles I didn't remember having before.”
Mason’s hand slipped from her hip and moved around her waist, pulling her even tighter to him. His lips landed on the back of her neck for a soft kiss before he spoke again. “I'm sorry you had to go through that. I promise I won't let it happen again.”
Vivi turned in his arms to face him. “It's not your fault.”
He gave a slight shake of his head, his mouth set in a hard line. “I don't care. You're mine, and I take responsibility for that. No one will have the chance to get close to you again.”
Vivi's heart thudded hard at his proclamation, and she had to fight the urge to melt into him. Dredging up every ounce of willpower, she focused on the alpha possessiveness of his statement. “I'm your responsibility?”
“Yes.” There was no remorse in his voice. “You're mine, and I'll always take care of you. And reverse. In a different way, you take care of me, give me everything I've never deserved.”
His words struck straight into her heart, and she couldn't help but wrap her arms around him and pull him down for a kiss.
What she couldn't give physically, he did.
And whatever he couldn't contribute emotionally, she made up for.
She loved this man heart and soul, and she wanted all of him for the rest of her days.
She pulled back. “I'm not letting you go. You know that, right?”
A tiny smirk lifted his mouth. “No?”
“Nope.” She cuddled closer, sliding one leg between his. “You chased me until I finally gave in. Now you're stuck with me.”
“You know, that doesn't sound so bad,” he said as he rolled to his back and shifted her so she lay on top of him.
More than an hour later, Vivi pulled on the same tank top and jeans she’d worn to the bar last night. From his spot on the bed, Mason looked at her. “How would you feel about staying here with me for a while?”
She was certain his request had everything to do with what had happened last night, but there was a huge part of her that hoped it meant more. “Because it’s safer?”
He nodded slowly. “That… But also because I want you here. With me.”
Happiness unfurled in her chest at his admission. “Okay.”
He exhaled deeply, then grasped her hips and pulled her close for a kiss. “Thank you.”
He released her, and they finished dressing in silence. It felt strange in a way to not be able to stay in her own home, but she couldn't deny that she felt much more secure with Mason. He was taking no risks with her security, and she deeply appreciated it.
These were the kinds of things he and her brother were trained for, and she wasn't too proud to fight him. She’d seen all those B-rated horror films. She wasn't going to be the girl who discarded common sense in lieu of pride and got hacked up by the killer at the end.
She didn't know what the person was after, if it was intentional or a coincidence, but she wasn't about to let her guard down. Until they figured out what was going on, she was happy enough to follow Mason’s and her brother’s instructions.
Surrounded by a dozen ex-military men, she knew she would be entirely safe at work.
Since she didn’t have any clothes there, they decided to head to her house and grab enough to get her through the next week or so.
“I should really stop by and see Ellen,” she said as she stepped into her shoes. “Would you mind if we made a quick detour to Morningside?”
“Of course.”
She grabbed her purse on the way out the door and checked the battery on her phone. “Have you talked to Aiden yet this morning?”
“Not yet.” Mason locked up behind them, then took her hand as they headed down to the parking lot. “Your brother was going to take lead on that, see if we could get any info from the cameras of the businesses nearby.”
They wouldn't find anything. Vivi wasn't sure how she knew that, she just did. From the expression on Mason’s face, he felt the same. “What should I do when you’re out working?”
He paused next to the truck and held the door as she climbed inside. “As of right now, I've passed my caseload to Luke. Knox is going to handle qualifications for the local LEOs next week if I'm still not back. But my main priority right now is making sure you're safe.”
She waited until he was seated before speaking again. “They're good with that?”
“Of course.” He threw a quick look her way as he started the engine and put the truck in gear. “You’re one of us, and we always take care of our own.”
A little flicker of warmth flared to life around her heart, and she relaxed, content for once to just enjoy the comfortable silence flowing between them.
At the red light, Mason picked up his phone and studied the screen, brows drawn, before replacing it in the cupholder.
Vivi watched him curiously. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing, I hope.” He glanced her way and frowned. “Have you heard anything from Tyler?”
“Not recently, not since last week. Why?” Dread curdled her stomach.
“I've texted him several times, but he hasn't responded.
I know he was meeting with some of Russ's relatives, but I thought he'd have checked in by now…” Mason trailed off and Vivi's heart stuttered in her chest. Oh, God.
With everything that had happened recently, she was inclined to think the worst. “We need to check on him.”
“We’ll stop by and see Ellen first. If I still haven’t heard back from him by the time we leave, we’ll stop by the hotel.”
They drove toward Morningside, unease and apprehension hanging heavily over them.
Less than a half hour later, they arrived at the assisted living facility, and Vivi smiled at the nurse seated behind the front desk.
“Hi, I’m Vivi Castillo. I’m here to visit my grandmother, Ellen,” she said as she signed the registry.
“Would you happen to know if she's in her room?”
“I believe I saw her go outside not too long ago with Linda.”
“Thanks.” Vivi turned to Mason and tipped her head toward the hallway bisecting the lobby. “We can head out this way.”
He fell into step beside her, and they exited out the back door. As they entered the recreational area outside, Vivi scanned the lawn for a familiar face. A moment later, she found Ellen sitting on a bench in the shade. Tucking her hand into the crook of Mason’s arm, she drew him across the yard.
Ellen’s head lifted when she saw them approaching, and her head tipped slightly to the side in question. Almost immediately, Vivi's heart fell to her toes. Her fingers tensed automatically where they rested on Mason’s arm, and he dipped his head low next to hers.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I think it’s a bad day. Just play along.”
She smiled as they got closer, then stopped about ten feet away. “Good morning, Ellen.”
“Good morning.” Her lips tipped into a smile, but Vivi could practically see the wheels turning in her head, trying to remember exactly who she was.
“My name is Vivi.” Vivi's voice broke a little as she said it, and she fought to blink back the tears burning the backs of her eyes. Mason shifted her closer, and she was immensely grateful for the silent show of support.
Ellen studied her intently as she repeated her name, testing it. “Vivi… You look familiar, but I…” She gave her head a little shake. “I’m sorry, my memory’s not what it used to be.”
“That’s okay,” Vivi assured her. “I hope you don't mind, but I brought a friend of mine.”
Mason stepped forward and offered his hand. “Mason Kane, ma'am.”
“Lovely to meet you.” Ellen returned his handshake, then gestured to the bench. “It’s a beautiful day. Would you like to join me?”
“I'd love to.” Vivi took a seat on the bench, several inches away from Ellen so she wouldn't feel overwhelmed, then threw a look at Mason.
“It's nice to finally meet you,” he said from where he stood in front of them. “I've heard wonderful things about you.”
“Oh?” Ellen gave a little laugh. “From this lovely young woman here?”
She gestured Vivi's way, and Mason grinned. “From her, too,” he agreed. “But mostly from your husband.”
It was a small test of sorts, and Vivi found herself holding her breath. A fond smile curved Ellen’s mouth. “Eugene was a wonderful man.”
Mason nodded. “I'm sorry for your loss.” Ellen tipped her head in acknowledgment, and Mason continued. “You were married a second time, I believe. To Charles Orwell?”
Ellen’s expression became slightly guarded. “That's correct.”
It hadn't hit Vivi before, but she suddenly realized she had always thought of Orwell as Ellen’s maiden name. She knew it wasn't the same as Eugene’s, and she had always figured that after his death, she’d reverted to her maiden name. She didn't know why she hadn’t realized it sooner.
“And how did you know Russ?” Ellen’s voice sounded tight with tension.
“He was a friend of my uncle’s,” Mason explained. “They were in the Navy together when they were younger.”
Ellen nodded a little and offered a brittle smile. “That's wonderful.”
“I was hoping to get in touch with him again,” Mason added hopefully.
Vivi watched Ellen carefully, and a dark expression moved over her eyes. “I'm afraid I can't help you with that. I haven't seen him for a while.”
Vivi couldn't tell exactly how much she remembered, or how clear her memory was, but she obviously remembered the fact that she and Russ were no longer married. She pressed gently for details. “His uncle would really love to see him again if you have any idea where he may have gone.”
Ellen shook her head, and her gaze drifted far away. “After Christine…” She gave a little shake of her head. “It's all kind of a blur.”