33. Bridget

THIRTY-THREE

Bridget

Mason got home with Chinese food, exactly what I always ordered. Still, I find myself picking at my food.

I'm too distracted to feel hungry, and I know that rose is sitting in the garage right now. I put it in a bag by itself just in case I need it as evidence or something.

The other part that keeps nagging at me is that Jai found me at Mason's house. I know that it makes sense that I'd return to Red Lodge at some point, so I can see Jai having found me in town.

But how did he find out about Mason?

The only thing that makes sense is he'd already found me when I was planning to come here, and he followed me this entire time.

The thought is obviously less than comforting, and I can't focus on the movie or the food or even Mia, who's pulling on my sleeve.

"Huh," I look down at her and say. "Sorry, honey. What do you need?"

She grins up at me and holds up her little unicorn stuffy. "Uni eat noodles."

I watch her share her dad's food with her unicorn and finally laugh. It's impossible to not be charmed by how sweet she is.

Trying to distract myself by playing with her, Mason and I fill in the remainder of the time before we need to put her down. Mia goes to sleep easily, and I follow Mason back downstairs to the couch.

When we've sat there not saying anything for a few moments, Mason pauses the movie and turns to me.

"Hey, are you okay? You seem…off."

I can't even look him in the eyes, my head hanging low. No, of course, I'm not okay. But this is also not just a simple bad day. I'm not sure what to say to Mason to even begin this conversation.

"I'm…ugh, sorry. My mind is all over the place, and I'm not sure what to say."

Mason scoots closer to me on the couch, taking my hand and meeting my eyes with his warm stare. He's totally focused on me, and I can see that he's concerned.

"Hey, I'm right here, okay? I'm not going to judge you or invalidate your feelings. I just want to make sure you're all right. And if there's something I can do to help, I want to do that. I need to. Keeping you happy and safe is essential to me."

His words and open expression cut right through to the core of me. I remember Mason warning me about Jai right before I left, and…ugh, he's just so right about him—still.

And Mason has always just tried to protect me. He's never expected me to give anything I can't, but he's tried to be there for me regardless.

Five years ago, Mason knew Jai was bad news, and I should have listened to him. He clearly has a good instinct, and I can't deny that I need his help anymore.

It's time.

He protects people, and I need to let him help protect me.

"Ugh, okay, umm…" My voice shakes, as does my entire body, and Mason squeezes my hand as the tears start to form at the corner of my eyes. "I found a rose on the doorstep today during Mia's nap."

I have to suck in a deep breath after that, and Mason looks at me expectantly.

"I'm going to need context for that, hun. I'm not sure why that's upsetting."

With a sympathetic smile, Mason shakes his head, trying to keep the mood light. He won't feel that way for long.

"Jai," I eke out. "He, umm, he's been following me since I left him. It's been…"

But my words drop off because I can't stop myself from crying. I need to suck in several breaths, practically hyperventilating, and then Mason is wrapping his arms around me.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. I'm right here. Try to breathe slower."

I do, and after a few moments, I'm able to speak again.

"Three years, Mason. He's been doing this shit for three years, and I can never get away from him. He always finds me. The rose…it means he's here. Jai's here, and he wants what he always wants."

"What, Bridget? What does he want?" Mason's tone is so much darker now, and I can sense the anger rolling off him in waves.

I'm not scared of him the way I would be if Jai was this angry, but knowing that he's so incredibly furious because Jai is here makes me nervous. I don't want them running into each other.

"Me."

It's all I can say.

But I can also show him what I mean. I get up, Mason quickly following, and I walk to the garage, getting the paper bag where I hid the rose.

When I pull it out, the look on Mason's face darkens even more, and standing next to him is like being near a keg about to blow.

Mason's hand shakes slightly as he reaches for the rose, lifting up the tag and reading the note.

"You can't run from me." Mason looks back over at me, his brows knitted together in a combination of fury and concern. "He's been pulling this shit for three years? And you've just been…"

"Running. It's why I never came back to town. Why I was so worried about this." I gesture between us. "He's unhinged, Mason. I…I should have listened to you all those years ago, but when I figured that out, he'd already beat me down into a shell of who I was. I was too scared to leave him. Until it got really bad, and Jai almost…"

The silence hangs, and Mason steps up to me, his brows down low over his eyes.

"Almost what?"

I can't stop shaking. It's wracking my entire body from head to foot, and then Mason is rushing up to me, his hands on my elbows as we sink to the floor.

"I don't want to be afraid anymore, Mason. I've been afraid for so damn long, and I just can't. I can't do it. He tried to kill me, Mason, and I finally ran. I should have left so much sooner. I should have never gone with him, and now this is my life? I just…can't."

My words tumble out in a flood of pain and regret. I'm a sobbing mess in his arms, and I can hardly breathe around the panic threatening to choke me.

Mason just wraps me up tighter, holding me against his chest until I can finally take a deep breath. And it's…it's just everything. I need him more than I like to admit, but everything Jai has done has left scars.

And they're all I can see most days.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Bridget. You were trying to survive, and manipulation is how those guys work. You didn't do anything wrong."

The sobs wrack me harder. I needed those words more than I realized.

"Bridget," I force myself to look up at him, "Jai left the rose?"

I nod.

Mason's rage boils to the surface again, his jaw clenching tightly. "I'm going to fucking kill him."

"No! No, please. I couldn't stand it if you got hurt. Or if something happened to Mia? I never should have brought all this on you. I'm so sorry."

"Hey, no. You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn't?—"

"But didn't I?" I shake my head, pulling out of Mason's arms and getting to my feet.

The room feels too small, my heart screaming in my ears and risking my ribs for how hard it's beating. I need to get out of here. I need to keep them safe.

"You didn't deserve to be brought into this." I shake my head, turning away from Mason. "I did this to you, and that's so wrong. I need to go. I need to get out of Red Lodge and take Jai far away from you."

"Bridget," Mason calls out, but I can't look back at him because I need to keep him safe this time, "don't. You can't just leave."

I rush toward the kitchen, practically flinging myself at my purse and snagging it off the back of the chair at the island. I turn immediately toward the door, with every intention to get into my car and drive until I can't see straight.

"He's never going to stop. He'll never quit hunting for me. This is for the best."

As soon as my hand is on the doorknob, Mason's hand snakes around my bicep and pulls me to a stop. I try to fight against him, but between the tears and terror, I'm just so weak right now.

"You're not going anywhere. I will do everything in my power to protect you, Bridget. I couldn't save you from that asshole five years ago, but I sure as hell won't let him hurt you now. Okay?"

I look up into Mason's eyes, the stormy gray color pulling me in and not letting go. Everything crumbles, and I fall into Mason's arms.

He holds me to his chest as the sobs wash over me, kissing the top of my head.

"We'll figure this out, Bridget. I promise. I won't let Jai lay so much as a finger on you. You're staying right here with me."

My body shakes as I stain Mason's shirt with my tears. I never want to leave his arms. They're the only safe place in the world, and I just…I want that.

I want to feel safe.

"Okay," I mumble, "okay. I won't go anywhere."

Mason pulls my chin up so that I'm looking up at him again. He smiles, and it's all truth and understanding and devotion.

He kisses me softly, sealing our lips together like a promise. And I believe it. I believe Mason's promise to do anything he can to keep me safe.

I just pray it's enough.