Mason (Carter Brothers #2) - Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,100

would move her away from me. When she returned she acted different, I could feel it. I just presumed it was because she was missing her friends in France. I never questioned it. Years later your mother set her sights on me. She blackmailed Katie about the baby, and Katie being scared didn’t want to ruin what we had. She thought I’d hate her, like your mother drummed into her. But I wouldn’t have, I don’t hate her. She left and I thought it was at first, but it seems your mother is more deviant than we gave her credit for.’’

“I don’t understand,’’ I whisper, running my hand over my stomach. “Why was she nice to him? How did he come to live with us? I’m so confused.’’

“Evan was six when his grandparent’s died. He was still so young, but when he came to live with us I didn’t even know who he was. I think she had it planned all along. I always wondered how she managed to get it processed so quickly, but I never questioned it. Once I got better after the accident and got to know the kid more, I loved him. He had something inside him that was impossible not to love.

“I think that was another cruel, twisted plot with your mother. She constantly favoured him and I always wondered why. Not that I thought more of you than him, I just presumed a mother would have more in common with her little girl.

“It wasn’t until Evan had turned fifteen that I started to become more and more sure that he was mine somehow. I don’t know if it was wishful thinking on my part or what, I just knew that something about him reminded me of Katie and myself. He went to school one day and I used his toothbrush to get a D.N.A. test done. When it came back and confirmed my suspicions, I treaded carefully with Vivian. She was so vindictive. She manipulated all of us, she used us against one another and I’m so sorry I never told you guys, but to me, nothing had changed. I am, and will always be your dad. Nothing Vivian could do could ever change that for me.’’

We’re all quiet, our heads bowed, the only noise in the room is from one of the machines next to me, beeping.

“Why bully me though? Why? I don’t understand?’’ I whisper, kind of jealous Evan doesn’t have to share blood with the witch.

“Honestly? I don’t know. I believe she thought I’d never find out about Evan or who he was. She used you as a pawn in her game. Never, and I mean never doubt that I had always planned to leave her once you were of age.’’

I nod my head not knowing what to say and exhaustion hits me once again.

“I think that’s enough for one day,’’ Mason tells them, looking at me with concern. My eyes close to prove a point. I need time to process everything they’ve just told me. I just didn’t expect for exhaustion to overcome my body.

I wake up some time later, the sky outside darkening and a hot body sitting next to me. Opening my eyes, I find Mason sleeping next to me. He’s in an awkward position when I look up at him, his head at a weird angle against the bed guard. His body is leaning against one of the five cushions on my bed and his one arm is wrapped around the back while the other is hanging loosely on my chest.

This is the first time I’ve seen him sleeping, one where I get a real good look at him without feeling embarrassed or caught staring. His full bow lips are puckered, hanging open a breath. His facial features are soft, relaxed and the hard edge that he usually carries is long gone. His eyes scrunch up in his sleep making me smile.

The door opening startles me and I’m glad to find it’s only a nurse. My startled movements end up waking Mason up and the nurse looks at us apologetically.

“I’m sorry. I’ve come to remove your drip. When I came by earlier I found you both asleep,’’ the middle aged nurse tells us with a smile. “You both looked so adorable and I was finishing my morning shift when you arrived and you were both so tired.’’

“Thank you,’’ I croak out, my throat feeling dry.

My body feels grungy, my hair feels greasy, both in need of a