Page 104 of Risk
My uncertainty vanishes. Okay, wow, we’re doing this. On camera.
Tapping my chin, I playfully look up at him like I’m thinking it over. “Hmmm.”
The way he looks at me has my legs weak. The adoration in his eyes, the confidence in his shoulders, the humor playing on his kissable mouth…
More flashes go off.
“Yes,” I say with a huge smile. “I’m his fiancé.” Talk about going public.
I feel so alive it’s intoxicating.
Excitement floods the area, and more questions arise about wedding dates, where did we meet, blah, blah, blah.
“That’s enough for tonight.” Mason scoops me into his arms and carries me out of their range, and towards his waiting car.
“Holy crap.” I’m out of breath and didn’t even do anything. “Is it always like this for you?” Because I honestly don’t like it. It’s scary and claustrophobic. I’m also now going over every single second of it in my mind, to figure out if I messed something up or not.
“Not always. But tonight was a special occasion with a lot of Hollywood stars and politicians in the mix. I’m just glad cameras weren’t allowed inside for the real dramafest.”
“Wait. Hollywood stars were in there?” How did I miss that? “I swear to god, if I missed my chance to meet Henry Cavill, I’m going to cry.” I didn’t even notice the other guests at the gala tonight.
“Nah. Henry couldn’t make it.”
“Phew.” I hold my hand against my chest, dramatically. “A missed opportunity like that would have ruined this perfect night.” My joke falls a little flat. I think we’re both still shaky from the mess we left behind.
A lot of backlash may still come our way. And if the paparazzi do a little digging, they’re going to find out about Daisy Ren and that I was Mason’s maid. It’s going to make him look bad.
My stomach flip flops.
After Mason drives off, his somber voice sounds as heavy as my heart when he says, “This was not how I thought things would go tonight.” Silence between us falls like the first snow of the season. “You came back for me.” He rests his hand on my leg. “On that stage, where you would become a target for everyone, you still came back.”
“I told you, I know my place, Mason.” I squeeze his hand. “It’s right here, by your side.”
He grips the steering wheel tighter. “I’m so sorry they said shitty things to you.”
“I’ve been told worse.”
“That’s…” He strangles the steering wheel. “Not helpful. Now I want to tear the world apart and find every person that’s ever made you feel bad about yourself and flay the skin from their bones.”
“You say the most romantic things.” I sigh dramatically and fan myself, hoping to make him laugh. “I’m swooning over here, you big sexy alpha.”
“I’m serious,” he growls. “I hate that you were dragged into my family’s shitshow tonight. And it’s my fault. I brought you to it.”
“I came willingly, and I knew this wasn’t going to be easy for you. But I’m really proud of you, Mason.”
“Why? I was a petty piece of shit tonight.”
I hear the regret in his voice. But sometimes you have to sink low for scum to hear what you’re saying. It’s not ideal, but Mason’s message was loud and clear tonight. “You broke the cycle.”
He stops at another red light. “I feel like I’ve blown up my entire existence.”
“It might seem that way tonight because you’re hurt, and the pain is fresh, but you broke a very toxic cycle and I think you’ve set an incredible example for Jackson and Grace. Your dad, too.”
“He’ll never leave her.” Mason’s voice drops in a gruff whisper. “He’s trapped in a loveless marriage where she walks all over him. He must be so fucking miserable. We were just assets, not children to her. And I’m mad at my dad for never having the balls to stand up to her on our behalf.” Mason scrubs his face with both hands and sits at the traffic light even after it turns green again. “I just couldn’t sit back and let Jackson marry Nicole. It would make them both so miserable and it’s not fair. And to think Grace is also on the chopping block.” He leans back and shuts his eyes. “I can’t believe we let Scarlet run our lives into the ground over fucking money and power.”
“Which, again, is why I’m proud of you for breaking the cycle yourself.” I want to hold him. Kiss him. Take away his pain and heartache.
Someone behind us honks, knocking Mason back into action. He waves apologetically in the rearview mirror and drives forward. “I have no regrets.”