34. Mason

Mason

34

Watching Reed walk away tugs the cord tied to my chest. I make it inside the door to Twisted Roses, but I can't get rid of the knot that twists every time she's not around.

"The way you were looking at Reed out there… you're just as fucked as the rest of us." Crew laughs at me when the door to the shop closes.

"Yeah." I glance over my shoulder to the car at the curb, knowing he's right in more ways than he realizes.

"Thought Reed was headed to Lyla's today." He motions to my car. "Trouble with the engine?"

I look back at him. "Someone fucked with it."

"Someone as in…?"

"Carter."

Crew's face shows me everything I'm already feeling. The second I can get my hands on Reed's piece of shit ex-boyfriend, I don't think there's much that's going to be able to hold me back.

"Give me one round with that asshole." Crew pops his knuckles.

"Only if I don't get to him first. Reed went to call Sage to let him know what's going on."

He chuckles. "I'll be surprised if he doesn't show up with his whole fucking club."

"Same." And I kind of hope he does. "It's time we finally do something about Carter. I'm sick of sitting on my ass waiting."

Besides, now that his business is falling apart, do I really care if it's difficult to get to him so long as I can?

"My brother Adam has connections up in San Francisco if you need some help," Crew says.

"Thanks." I shake my head. "But if my car is any indication, he's bringing the fight here."

Carter's getting close, which means he might also get sloppy. Wherever he is, it's only a matter of time before he makes himself known. And I can't fucking wait for it.

"Hmm." Crew looks back out the window.

I follow his line of sight to a car parked across the street. The windows are heavily tinted, but the car looks empty, and there's nothing unusual about it.

"What?"

"You've just got me thinking…" Crew's eyes narrow. "Echo's been getting this weird vibe from that car. She said she caught some guy sitting in it watching the shop a couple times. But that as soon as he notices her staring, he leaves. So she's never really gotten a good look. I've been keeping an eye on it, waiting for the dude to return."

"How long's the car been there?"

"Today?" Crew glances at the clock. "An hour or two at most. But it's been coming and going for about a week now. At first, she thought someone was casing the jewelry shop across the street. But then she caught him looking in Twisted Roses… and now someone's been fucking with your car."

"You think it's Carter?"

He nods. "Don't you?"

"Probably."

Fuck, he's been right here watching us. Hiding in plain sight. It explains why he's been so quiet since Reed officially ruined his chances with Zane Enterprises. He hasn't been calling Sage because he's been here, keeping an eye on things himself.

My heart seizes, and I take in the car's proximity to the shop. Not only that, the apartment.

Carter isn't just close—he's here.

He didn't tamper with my car to leave me stranded on the road. It was to ensure that Reed and I couldn't go far enough to get out of his sights.

I glance at the front door, realizing Reed's upstairs alone. The gate might be locked, and there might be cameras on every entrance, but if Carter's been watching, he might have also been figuring out ways around it.

My gut instincts kick in, and I'm overwhelmed by that same feeling I had right after I ignored Sienna's phone call. I should have listened to it back then, but I didn't want to hear whatever the universe was trying to tell me. Now, I've repeated those same mistakes.

I put my appointment above Reed's safety when I should have known Carter was just waiting for the perfect moment to make his move.

"Fuck." I breathe out, storming to the front door. "I've gotta go. Cover me?"

"Sure thing." Crew doesn't ask questions, and I appreciate it.

I'm still finding my place with the Twisted Roses team, but with Reed's help, I've been opening up more. And in turn, they've been even more accepting of me.

Pushing through the front door, I make my way to the gate that sits at the bottom of the stairs leading to our apartment. I snag my phone from my back pocket and dial.

"Reed already called me," Sage answers on the first ring.

"Figured." I drop my keys before they find the lock, and I realize I'm shaking.

No—not shaking.

Vibrating.

I'm so on edge I'm going to fucking scream.

Reaching down, I scoop up my keys and sort through them until I find the right one again.

"Carter fucked with my car." I slam the key into the lock and turn it.

"Yeah, so she said. I'm about to climb on the bike to check it out."

"That's the least of our problems." I storm up the stairs and rush into the apartment, but it's quiet—too quiet.

"What do you mean?"

"Carter's been watching the shop."

"For how long?"

"A week."

"And you're just now telling me?"

I walk down the hallway, checking the bedrooms for Reed, but she's not there either. "I just fucking found out. Okay?"

"Okay." Sage cools his tone, and at least that is a relief.

"Fuck." I slam open the bathroom door confirming what I've feared—the apartment is empty. "Reed's gone."

"What do you mean, she's gone?" His edge has returned.

"She came upstairs to call you, but she's not fucking here." I tip my head back, and that's when I hear voices. "Wait… the roof."

I'm hurrying back to the door, and my heart is hammering.

The roof should be safe. It's where she enjoys spending time and getting fresh air. But nothing is safe anymore, and up there, she's exposed.

"Fuck, I think I hear them."

"Them?" Sage's tone is cold enough to cut glass.

"Yeah, them."

Reed screams, and my blood chills as I rush out of the apartment.

"Get here." I hang up the phone without saying goodbye.

There's no time.

Climbing the steps, I take two at a time. My hands ache with how hard I'm clenching them, and my demons beg me to let them loose.

I just might.

I feel her fear in the air—in my heart. This can't be happening. I just got her, and now she's slipping away.

I can't lose someone again. I can't physically handle it.

My heart races as I hurry up the steps. I can barely breathe my blood is pumping so fast. Time doesn't exist. I'm reaching, but every inch takes me back ten. And for the first time in a long time, I pray. Even if it's selfish to only have faith when I need something.

I hope and I hurry, and I pray and I beg.

I can't lose her to him.

I can't lose her at all.