Mason for twenty years and I’ll love him for twenty more and beyond.
I’m drowning in him and there are moments I can’t breathe without him.
He’s what has gotten me through my marriage so far. Knowing that every day that passes is another day closer to his safety. But tonight’s revelations change everything. Now, there are going to be far too many days I can’t breathe properly. Mason is at risk. My husband hates him that much, and I shudder to think what kind of power a premiership brings with it will inspire Joe to do to Mason.
The sound of the door to the rooftop opening and then slamming closed causes me to squeeze my eyes closed.
Joe’s found me.
I steel myself.
“Mayfair. Fuck.”
My eyes fly open.
“What the fuck are you doing up here?” Mason demands, coming closer. “Your fucking husband is losing his shit downstairs because he can’t find you.”
I turn to him, my heart beating faster as I drink him in.
“Goddamn, you look good in a suit.” The words fall from my lips without thought before I can stop them.
He slows his pace, narrowing his eyes at me. “You’re drunk?”
A smile slips across my face. “Maybe a little.”
“Jesus.”
I stare at his neck tattoo peeking out from his white button shirt. The tattoo I can’t fully see but know off by heart because it’s my tattoo. Hearts, and stars, and wings, and Monopoly pieces, and a stiletto, and a rose with a banner across it all that says Mayfair. It spans the width of his neck and is the most beautiful tattoo I’ve ever seen. He got it three weeks before I smashed his heart to pieces.
I move towards him, unable to stop myself. “I’m sorry.”
He doesn’t respond to that, just watches me closely as I come to him. When I reach him, he says, “Which thing are you sorry for?” His words are bitter. “Or are you just apologising for causing us all a whole lot of fucking problems by not telling Hearst where you were going?”
I trace my gaze over his face, ignoring the acid flowing from him. God, I’ve missed him. In the kind of way I never imagined missing someone. When I meet his eyes again, I say, “You always read me perfectly. I wasn’t apologising for tonight. I was apologising for breaking your heart.”
His nostrils flare. “I don’t want your fucking apology.”
I nod. “I know, but I’m giving it to you anyway.”
“You’re drunk. You don’t even know what the fuck you’re saying.”
“No, I know exactly what I’m saying. And I know you won’t believe me, but I mean every word of it.”
I try to take another step closer to him, needing that, but I trip over my own damn foot.
Mason catches me, his expression darkening with anger. “Fucking hell, Chelsea.”
I reach out and touch his face, my whole body feeling the effect of that touch. “Please stop being so angry with me, Mason. It’s killing me. I did this all for you and will continue doing it all for you. I don’t care if I have to stay with him for the rest of my life; I’ll do it for you.”
He frowns at the same time the rooftop door opens again. Looking beyond Mason, I see my husband walking our way, a look of pure fury on his face.
Dropping my hand from Mason, I take a step away from him.
“I’ve got this from here,” Joe says to Mason, his words falling between them with the same kind of acid Mason left at my feet.
Mason looks at me one last time before leaving us. I don’t miss the confusion in his eyes, but mostly I see that hatred of his that I don’t think he’ll ever let go of.
Once we’re alone, Joe grips my bicep and yanks me to him. He’s a raging storm, and suddenly, I feel sober. “If you ever get drunk and do this at one of our functions again, I will make you regret it, Chelsea. Am I understood?”
I fight him off, pulling out of his hold. I will not fucking allow him to intimidate me again. “You’re perfectly understood, Joe. You’re a fucking asshole, but I’ve understood that about you for a little while now.”
His eyes are as hard as his voice when he growls, “Do not fucking test me tonight.”
“Are we done here?”
He forces out a harsh breath as he glances out at the night. Looking back at me, he says, “Go to bed. We’ll discuss this in the morning.”
“There’s nothing to