Trigger's Light - Carol Dawn Page 0,33

I’m going to make, but the truth is, it doesn’t really bother me as much as I thought it was going to. A large part of that has to do with Mason. He makes me feel beautiful even on days when I know for a fact that I look horrid. So, the scar is practically meaningless.

“How was your breakfast, little one?” Mason asks.

I look down at my empty plate of what used to be biscuits and gravy.

“It was yummy,” I say, smiling. “My favorite breakfast next to blueberry pancakes.”

Mason smiles and collects my plate.

“What do you think about taking a little trip today?”

I’ve been stuck in this house for over a week. Mason and I made the executive decision that I not return to work until he figures out who left that note. Mason did eventually tell me that the man who attacked me was only a hire.

Nothing else has happened since that night, though. I think it’s a good sign. Whoever it was probably decided I wasn’t worth the time and went on with their life.

Unfortunately, Mason has the complete opposite thought. He doesn’t want me or Brendon leaving the house unless he, or one of his brothers, is with us.

“God, yes,” I say. “Get me out of here.”

Mason sighs before putting the clean plate down and sitting in the seat next to me.

“I know that you’re frustrated, baby,” he starts. “But I have a gut feeling that whoever is stalking you isn’t ready to give up. It’s been over a month since anything happened. I don’t want to scare you, but I’m expecting him to make his next move soon.”

“How do you know it’s a he?” I ask.

“A male fits the profile,” he says patiently. “The point is, I would rather have you stuck at home, bored, and frustrated than lying in a ditch somewhere dead.”

“I understand,” I tell him. “I just can’t wait for the day when I can go out without the threat of impending doom. When you’re at the clubhouse, I sometimes get these urges to come visit. Or take Brendon to the park or something. And I really miss my bookstore.”

Mason picks me up and places me sideways on his lap.

“Ted said that your job at the Book Bin will always be available,” he says, kissing my scar. He does that every chance he can get.

At first, I hated it. It made me feel ugly and uncomfortable. But I’m used to it now.

“Besides, I told you that I want to take care of you in every single way,” he reminds me. “That includes financially. You don’t need to work. I’ll always make sure you and Brendon have everything you need or want.”

Sweet man.

“I know,” I wrap my arms around his neck. “I believe you. But I want to go back to work because it’s something I love doing. And the job is so laid back that I can take Brendon with me when I go.”

“Let me take care of the problem holding you hostage first,” he says.

Knowing that I won’t win this battle at the moment, I change the subject.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

Mason stands and places me on my feet.

“Today is my sister’s birthday,” he tells me. “I want to stop by her grave before we head to the clubhouse.”

I don’t know much about what happened with Mason’s sister. But I do know that he blames himself for her death.

Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling the car into Lebanon cemetery.

“Stay in the car and lock the doors,” Mason says. “I’ll be right back.”

He grabs the flowers from the backseat and exits the car. Doing as he says, I lock the door.

“What do you think, Bren? Should we let him be alone?”

Interpreting Brendon’s silence as a no, I get out of the car, grab Brendon and walk toward Mason.

“Come here, little one,” he unexpectedly says.

“I thought you would be angry that we didn’t stay in the car,” I admit, sitting down beside him. “But Brendon really thought you shouldn’t be alone right now.”

“He did, did he?”

“Yep, didn’t you, sweetheart?”

Brendon has his eyes alert and on Mason. If Mason is in the room, Brendon doesn’t notice anything else. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

Mason has one of my hands wrapped in his, and the other is rocking the car seat. He’s here physically but his mind is far away.

“Want to talk about it?” I ask.

“No.”

“Are you sure? Sometimes it’s best to share a burden rather than…”

“I SAID NO,” he shouts, jumping up and walking