Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Mason

I arrive from Alaska on Thursday. Training in arctic weather is essential, but after this week, I need a vacation in Fiji—or any part of paradise. My first stop is Seattle. I finally listened to my father and rented an office space. We'll probably outgrow it in a year, but it's a good start.

My engineering department is still in Los Angeles. We want to relocate them, but I don't think it'll happen soon, and I'm in no hurry. HIB Securities is growing. However, after reading Ainsley's email, I don't know how I'm going to proceed. She will need support, but what if her parents cut her off after they learn she's pregnant.

That's one fucked-up relationship I can't understand. They seem to love their children, but they live as two single, unattached men. My father and I have our differences, but we're there for each other—always. I've seen Chris supporting Porter in his career, and he doesn't do the same for Ainsley, Jacob, or Matthew. Is music so important that he'd rather cut ties with his family?

I wish I knew because then I'd be able to help Ainsley.

As I'm about to respond to her latest email, Karl Kowalski enters my office. "What do you mean Oslo is canceled?"

I look at him. "The email I just sent says reschedule ."

"There's no date."

"We'll set up the date when I'm ready."

"This is the perfect time to continue our arctic training. You said you wanted us to be ready for all kinds of weather. If we lose this window?—"

"I have a family emergency."

"Is it your mom, Mr. Bradley? What happened?"

"It's a friend of the family," I correct. "She needs me. Once I know she's okay, we'll reschedule. If I have to push this 'til next year, it'll be fine."

He sighs. "I understand that, but don't send me to work with your father's company."

I grin. "He needed your help."

"I hate Porter Kendrick. You know what that kid needs?"

"Someone to ground him?" or kill him…

"A trip to rehab."

"What?"

"He's a heavy user. We're talking cocaine, heroin… the guy spends more time snorting shit and drinking than performing. He keeps using that one chick, Sky, as his backup singer to mask that he's high as a kite."

"Did you tell my father?"

"I thought we had a policy of ignore and don't tell."

"We do, but…"

Now I understand what Ainsley meant when she said Porter looked sick. I can't let him be close to her. I look up at Karl. "If I pay you extra?"

"For what?"

"To babysit Porter."

"Nope."

"I want to make sure he stays away from his ex-girlfriend."

"The cute brunette that lives in Austin? Thank fuck they broke up. I can keep an eye on her if you want."

Does she need a security detail to keep him away?

No.

I'm heading to Austin as soon as I finish checking all my messages. I tap the desk a couple of times and look at him. "You're on call. I might need you."

He salutes me. "You got it, boss."

The moment he leaves my office, I call my father.

"Mason?"

"Porter Kendrick visited Ainsley while he was high," I growl.

"How would I know?" He clears his throat. "How do you know?"

"I can't confirm, but if he's high all the time…"

"Listen, I don't know what's happening with him, and quite honestly, I don't care. As you know, Porter changes bodyguards as often as he changes moods. I worked for him as a favor to the Deckers. When he fired us on Monday, I sent a message to Chris because I didn't want this to hurt our friendship. Whatever he does is not my problem."

I rise from my seat and walk back and forth in my office while trying to calm the fuck down. I'm fuming, and I don't even know why. The anger brewing inside me makes me want to go and find Porter and—maybe kill him. This feeling is foreign. Something I never felt, not even for the people I hunt.

"Mason, what's happening? Is there something you don't want to tell me? He fired us because you made the bodyguards go to Austin. Is Ainsley okay?"

Is she okay? That's debatable, but I'll make sure that she is.

"Listen, I'm not sure what's happening, but I think he's been abusing her," I mumble the last words.

I can't fucking believe I let that fly under my watch, but was I watching her? No, I was working.

"Are you sure?" Dad asks.

"At least emotionally, I didn't see any bruises." I run my free hand through my hair. "If I do?—"

"Stop," he orders. "We'll figure out what's happening and help her. I need you to use your head."

I halt in the middle of my office, pressing the bridge of my nose, and look up at the ceiling. It's impossible to calm down. All I want is to make him pay for everything he's done, but… I don't even know what he's done to her. Other than isolating her, manipulating her, and dismissing her feelings… That's more than enough to break every bone in his body.

"Listen, I need to do some work before I leave for Austin. I might need you to add some security just to keep him away from her."

"Sounds good. Update me as soon as you know more." He hangs up.

There's a lot more, but everything Ainsley has told me is confidential. I could talk to her and convince her to go to her parents. We can fly or drive to… where am I supposed to take her? Chris and Gabe are barely at the estate. I decide to finish everything that I have to do so I can get to her. We can determine what to do next after her appointment.