Page 74 of Born Reckless
"I love you too, Juliet," Mason whispers as he presses his forehead to mine.
No, this isn't the romantic, forever love. But this is a promise. A promise that we will have each other's backs no matter what happens in the future.
There is a knock on the door, and the moment is done. This chapter has closed. The chapter where Juliet and Mason recklessly throw themselves at one another, all in the name of feeling good. We've both grown up. We’re moving on.
The end.
We climb out of bed and both head into the living room. Mason goes to open the door and finds one of the guards there.
"Pablo was spotted early this morning, about an hour ago. He was across town, but he got away. We’re continuing to track him. Just thought you would want an update."
Mason nods and lets out a slightly frustrated breath. "Thank you."
The guard nods as well and turns away from the door. Mason shuts it and the two of us linger in the entryway.
"Roman's team will get him," Mason says confidently. "It's just a matter of time. Just give him a day or two, and you won't have to worry anymore, Juliet."
I nod. This feels slightly awkward. I'm confident that yes, we will be friends. But for these few moments immediately following our conversation, it feels a little strained.
"I told Dr. Vincent that I was going to start my apprenticeship with him in five days. I guess it's been one day already, so…four days. He has an apartment for me close to the hospital."
And it just gets so much worse. Because not only are we breaking up from whatever this was, but now I am moving out. Of course I am moving out. But it's being said out loud.
I see that pain on Mason's face. He hadn't thought about that part until right now either. He gives a pained-looking nod.
"We're going to get through this somehow," I say. I wrap my arms around my waist. "Someday we’re going to look back at this time and we’re going to laugh at how awkward it felt. It's not going to last forever."
Mason nods. "I know.” His eyes linger on me and then they fall to the floor. He swallows once and takes a shallow breath as his eyes slide closed. “What can I do to help you get ready for the move?"
Chapter Sixteen
One day passes,Pablo isn’t captured.
Two days pass, and Pablo still isn’t caught.
On the third day, I was getting antsy as all get out.
I’m supposed to start my apprenticeship with Sebastian tomorrow. I was supposed to move into my new apartment today.
But Pablo still hasn’t been caught, so no one wants to let me out of Godfrey Tower.
Screw that. I’m dying for some fresh air, and I’m craving a Chicago-style hot dog.
“Mason?” I call out, even though I’m sure he’s still at the office. It’s nearing eight o’clock, and he’s worked fourteen-hour days nearly every day since we had our talk. We’re kind of avoiding each other to try and make this easier until I move out. So, he doesn’t respond, as I knew he wouldn’t.
I step out of the penthouse and immediately I’m met by the guards still stationed ‘round the clock. “Mason just asked me to bring him dinner,” I say, indicating the bag of leftovers I grabbed from the fridge. “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.”
The guard nods without asking any questions. Casually, I walk to the elevator and wait for it to arrive.
Only I push the button for the second floor when I step inside.
The doors open a minute later, and I step out. This floor is all sectionedoff into offices, larger ones, ones that could be their own businesses. The hallway is bright and airy, but it goes on for a long stretch before it dead ends with a big glass door.
I chuck the leftovers in the first garbage can I find and make my way down the length of the building. When I reach that glass door, I push it open and walk out.
I step outside onto a small balcony. It would be a nice space, only it’s so low to ground level, who would hang out here? But I take the stairs down to the sidewalk and slip out of the building without having to walk past any tattle-telling guards.
The night is warm. Summer is nearly here, but the temperatures don’t seem to know they’re getting an early start. I pull my hair up into a ponytail as I head off down the sidewalk, getting some of the heat off my shoulders and neck.