were gunnin’ for Trix anyway. I knew she’d be safe as long as Hatch and I were with her. Elijah would’ve sent one of his goons if I didn’t volunteer. I’d never let anyone hurt her.”
A feeling akin to regret rolls around in my gut, but I push it back, unable to fully accept his reasoning, even if on some level it does make sense.
I run a hand through my wet hair. “Need time.”
“I get that.”
Silence builds between us.
“Right well . . . Take care.”
I hit “end” and drop back to the bed. Fuck. He’s right. I know he is, but even with time, will I ever be able to forgive him?
Thirty-nine
Trix
No matter how many times I stare at the boxes in front of me, I can’t help but feel like I’m forgetting something. Amazing how the last four years of my life fit in a dozen boxes and a suitcase. I check each label, making sure the ones that need to go into storage are clearly marked and the ones that come with me are too.
My stomach tumbles with excitement.
After I left Mason in the hospital two days ago, he ordered me to pack my things saying, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I want you with me until it does.”
It didn’t take much reading between the lines to understand what he meant: he wants to be together until the day they lock him up.
The thought of saying no didn’t even cross my mind. If this last week has taught me anything, it’s that life is fragile. From here on out, I’ll take advantage of every opportunity, and when it comes to Mason, there’s no place else I’d rather be.
Turns out that my moving in with Mason isn’t only a comfort for each other, but it’s practical too, seeing as I’m jobless.
I quit Zeus’s. I didn’t give notice, or even have to show my face. One call to my boss and he let me go and even said he’d give me a glowing recommendation. It ended up being a lot easier than I thought, but something tells me Detective Hodgeson had something to do with that.
Hodgeson wasn’t aware of Santos’ involvement in my kidnapping. Although Drake and Hatch were working closely with the police, Santos wasn’t and turned me over without the knowledge that I’d be safe.
That information stung like a bitch.
I still don’t blame him for what he did. Hatch’s guys did have Diane, and from what I hear, they beat Santos pretty bad after he turned me over to ensure he kept his silence, but betrayal is still betrayal.
I move through the house one more time, ready to leave my old life behind and start a new one. The memories of this house will stay like ghosts searching for peace while I move forward without a backward glance.
My phone chirps with a new text.
Hope you’re ready. Once I get you home, I’m never letting you go.
I grin and bite my lip, amazed that I can feel the sincerity behind his words by simply reading them.
Even if you let me go, I’d never leave. No good-byes, remember?
I hit “send” and hope that bringing up the breakup call Hatch insisted I make doesn’t hurt him—my phone chirps.
Good-bye? What language is that? I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.
I let my fingers fly over the keys in response.
It doesn’t concern us. What does concern us is that I’m anxious to see you after two days, and if you don’t pick me up soon I might explode.
His response is instantaneous.
Well then get your sexy ass out here. I’ve been sitting in your driveway for five minutes.
My heart leaps in my chest, and I race to the door, swing it open, and find Mason halfway up the walk. We both stop, staring with wild eyes and devouring each other before I move. He must see it coming because he braces seconds before I launch myself into his arms.
He grunts from what I assume to be his stab wounds, but he doesn’t let me go. One hand cups my ass, and the other digs into my hair, pressing my face into his neck. “Fuck, baby, I missed you so much.”
“Me too.” I run my nose along his neck, drinking in his earthy sweet scent with the knowledge that I’ll get to do it every day from now until . . . I shake off the heavy feeling that comes along with an uncertain future and just hold on tighter. “Am