33. Reed

Reed

33

Mason still hasn't relinquished his spot between me and his car as we stand at the curb outside Twisted Roses.

"I'll be fine. I won't even stop until I reach the Twisted Kings compound."

He holds me around the waist, his eyebrows pinching as he looks down at me. "I'd feel better if I could go with you."

"You have an appointment. I'm just going to hang out with Lyla for the day, and then I'll be back. I have to live my life. I can't let Carter continually stop me from doing things."

It's been a little over a week since the permit was officially declined, and part of me expected Carter to show up the moment it was. Zane Enterprises is helping Carter fight it, but it isn't going in their favor, and I have no doubt Carter will be bankrupt at the end of this unless Mason's dad is able to pull some huge magic trick out of his hat.

The deal has essentially been stopped.

Still, it's been silent.

Too silent.

There hasn't even been an email in a few days. It should be comforting, but I know Carter well enough that it isn't.

"Just be safe." Mason grabs the back of my head and pulls me in for a kiss. "Nothing's allowed to happen to you."

"Okay, Mr. Overprotective." I smile at him.

Mason's hands slide down to my ass as he leans to whisper in my ear. "Yep. And I'm not going to apologize for it."

He smacks me on the ass and catches me when I squeal.

"Have fun with Lyla."

Tipping up onto my toes, I brush his jaw with my hand and give him a kiss. "Will do, big guy. See you tonight."

He winks, handing me the keys and watching me walk around the car.

"Love you." I smile, climbing in.

He leans down against the open window. "Love you too."

I'm still healing old wounds, and although I'd like to take him saying that at face value, sometimes I can't help waiting for the fallout. For the day he starts smiling less and gets irritated more.

Logically, I know Mason isn't Carter. But the battle wounds on my heart are a little more convincing.

It's a resistance I'm trying to not give into. Handing my trust to a man was easier at twenty when I didn't know what to expect. Mason continually has to prove himself, and part of me feels guilty for that, even if he doesn't complain.

He's been patient. Neither of us walked into this unscathed. We're both trying to put our past traumas to the side so we can be right for ourselves and each other.

Turning the key in the car, the engine takes a moment to come to life. Mason is still smiling at me from the curb because he knows nothing about cars. But something doesn't sound right.

Leaning back, I listen to the gurgling hum of the engine, and my eyes drop to the steadily climbing temperature gauge.

Something is definitely wrong.

Reaching for the key, I shut the car off before it dies.

"Miss me already." Mason smiles, walking up to the car to lean through the passenger window.

But as he takes in my tense expression, his smile slowly falls.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure." Popping open my car door, I step out. "Something's not right."

I really hate knowing what I do about cars. Because I know enough to know this isn't going to be an easy fix. Which means I'm probably not making it to see Lyla today unless I want to inconvenience my brother and have him come pick me up.

I circle the car and pop the hood. The moment I do, a cloud of white smoke billows up at me as Mason comes to a stop at my side.

It's almost cute how he eyes the engine with complete confusion. One of these days, I need to take him up on his offer to teach him a thing or two about cars. Because him not servicing it might be what got us into this situation.

"Find the problem yet?" I smile up at him when his eyebrows pinch.

"Of course." He grins, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's one of those things."

"Those things?" I tease.

"The engine?" It's more of a question than anything, and I laugh.

"The engine? All right, big guy, step back. Let the lady take it from here." I playfully nudge his arm.

Mason waves a hand out, grinning. "Show me how it's done, Sticks."

I love that Mason isn't threatened by the fact that I know way more about cars than he does. That he doesn't hang onto traditional roles or try to overcompensate.

I love that Mason looks borderline turned on when I bend over the engine.

He's so supportive and understanding, it steals my breath away.

Glancing down at the engine, I spot the problem immediately. The radiator cap is loose, to the point where it would have fallen off completely if I'd attempted the drive to the Twisted Kings compound.

It doesn't make sense. No one has worked on Mason's car recently. And I know because Sage has been giving him crap about it.

There's no reason that the radiator cap should be sitting the way it is.

Looking the engine over, I see the coolant level is also really low. Too low to make it to the Twisted Kings compound without the car overheating. Someone has definitely tampered with Mason's car, and it looks like they wanted it to break down the next time he went to drive it.

"You look worried, Sticks." Mason's expression pinches when I glance up at him. "Is the car done for?"

"No." I take a step back, looking around at the cars on the street, my stomach knotting. "But someone messed with your engine."

"What?" Any amusement is erased from Mason's tone as he reaches for my hand, turning me to face him. "Are you sure?"

I nod, not liking what it probably means any more than Mason does.

He scans the street, doing the same thing I just did, even if there's nothing to see.

"This is bad." My heart races.

Carter has been coming after me in little ways since I left him, but now it's escalating to Mason. And I can't handle the thought of Carter hurting him to get to me.

"Come here." Mason pulls me from the road and leads me up onto the sidewalk. "I need to give Sage a call."

I'm nodding, even as my chest hums, and I can barely process what's happening.

"Let's get you inside."

"Mason." I tug against his hand when he starts to guide me toward Twisted Roses, and he stops, spinning to face me. "This is my fault."

"None of this is on you, Reed."

"I left him." My heart races as I start to panic. "I ended our relationship, and now I ruined his deal with your father. He's going to be pissed. Erratic. And now he's coming after you, all because of me."

"Is that what you're worried about?" Mason tips my chin up.

"I don't want him to hurt you."

"He won't." Mason offers me the gentlest smile. "The only thing that could hurt me is losing you. So, are you leaving me, Reed?"

I shake my head. "No."

Even if I should go to protect us both, I can't.

I love Mason. I love the woman he makes me. It might be fast, but it's right in all the ways that matter. I can't lose him.

"Then there's nothing he can do that I can't handle." Mason kisses the center of my forehead. "You let me worry about him."

Mason's keeping calm for my sake. His tone is level, and his words are reassuring. But in his eyes, I see his anger toward Carter brewing. I don't know what Mason will do when they finally face each other again. But I know that it won't be good.

"Okay." I accept it.

There's no point arguing when it won't get us anywhere at this moment.

"How about you go upstairs, and I'll give Sage a quick call." Mason brushes my cheek with his thumb. "I'll see if Lyla wants to come by instead, and then I'll be up shortly."

"You have an appointment."

"I can cancel it."

"You don't have to do that." I shake my head, finding my strength. "Please, don't. It's like we were saying, we can't keep allowing Carter to dictate our lives. I'll call my brother and see if he can come pick me up. And I'm going to spend the day at the compound as planned. He doesn't get to decide what we do, right?"

"Right." Mason smiles, even if it looks like it hurts him a little.

"Good." Rising up on my toes, I give Mason a quick kiss. "Go to work. I'm going to call Sage for a ride, and I'll see you later."

"You're sexy when you're bossy." Mason smirks.

"And you're sexy when you're letting me boss you around."

"All right, Sticks. Have it your way then." He shakes his head, walking me to the gate that leads up to our apartment. "But I'm the one who is going to be doing the bossing around later."

I bite my lip, considering all the ways he can live up to that promise, and heat rushes to my cheeks.

With a final kiss, Mason opens the gate for me, and smacks me on the ass as I head up the steps before closing and locking it behind me.

"Later, big guy." I wink over my shoulder.

"Later, bite-size."

Stopping at the door to the apartment, I pull out my phone from my purse and dial Sage's number. It only rings once before he answers.

"You're here already?"

"No, the car's having issues, so I need a ride."

"Fuck, all right, I can send one of the guys to get you. I've been telling Mason he's overdue for taking that thing into the shop. Dude knows nothing about cars. You sure you want to be with him?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm sure. Besides, I don't think maintenance is the issue. The radiator cap was loose."

Sage is quiet for a beat. Too quiet to ease my nerves when I've already been thinking the same thing.

"Just stay there." Sage's tone has changed completely. "I'm heading your way."

"You're busy. Just send someone."

"I'll be there soon, Reed." He doesn't leave any room for arguing, hanging up before I get the chance.

Tucking my phone in my pocket, I tip my head back and let out an annoyed breath. He's my brother, so of course he's overprotective, but he and Mason shouldn't have to spend the rest of their lives looking out for me.

Reaching my key to the lock, I pause. It's a nice day out, and the last thing I want right now is to be trapped between four walls when I was hoping to have the wind from the road on my face, so I head up to the roof instead.

It's nice up here, and a calming place to wait for Sage. This time of day, I get a clear view of the street below.

I make my way to the far side of the roof, where the ledge is a little lower so I can get a clear view. Mason's car is still parked outside the shop with the hood open and people are milling around the street. But no one goes near it.

My phone pings from my pocket, so I pull it out, expecting to see a new message from Sage, but it's a phone number with no name.

It doesn't need one—I know that number.

Carter

Car trouble, babe?

I grip the phone, my entire body tensing.

Opening the text, I type back.

Leave us alone.

Carter

Why would I do that? You think you can mess with my business, and I won't mess with yours?

That's different.

Carter

Is it?

You don't have to do this.

Carter

Do what?

We weren't good together. You have to see that by now.

Carter

Don't say that, baby. You're hurting my feelings.

We're over.

Carter

We've never been over, Reed. I told you; I'm not letting you go.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath as my phone pings again.

Carter

You're beautiful today. I always said blue was your color.

Where are you?

Carter

Watching what's mine.

I'm not yours.

"Are you sure about that?" Carter's voice coming from behind me has me spinning so fast I drop my phone and trip back.

My thighs hit the ledge of the roof, and Carter reaches out, catching me before I fall.

"Hi, baby." He smiles. "Time to come home."