“Mason. Whoa.” Nick handed John off to Deputy Spearman, who quickly led him away, and closed in on Mason. “We’ve got him. It’s all over. We’ll question him tonight, and I’ll give you a call in the morning. Do you hear me? It’s all over.”
Mason stared at Nick for what seemed like minutes but was probably only seconds until the words registered.
John was in custody.
The threat to Mason and his ranch was over.
Whatever excuses John came up with were bullshit, and Nick would sort all that out from here, but Mason’s body wasn’t getting the message. He was vibrating from the inside out. Every pent-up emotion he’d ever tried to bury had charged for the surface. Every threat and act of vandalism that he’d tried to play off as nothing to worry about to his sisters but that had held him in a constant state of anxiety was finally over. He could relax. He could let his guard down again.
And Colt’s job was over.
Mason stood there watching the two Havenridge Police Department Interceptors turn around in a large circle in the yard and then disappear down the drive. He stood there long after he could no longer hear the growl of engines and the dust their tires stirred had settled. Too many emotions had been roaring through him for one day, and he still hadn’t had dinner yet. He doubted he could eat at all, not with how knotted up his stomach was.
And the day had started with so much promise . . .
Colt and his brothers were talking quietly behind him, their voices a low rumble. He didn’t bother to try and listen to what they were saying. Probably planning when to pack up and head out since their job was done now that John had been arrested.
John.
How could he have done all those horrible things? How could he have looked Mason in the eye with concern for Cuervo after he’d been the one who’d spray-painted him? Act so casual after he’d been the one to cut the brake lines on his truck. The vandalism and threats . . . And what of the rest of his staff? Was he too trusting of them as well? He clenched his hands into fists. And fuck John for making him question everyone now, for destroying his trust.
“Hey,” Colt said quietly at his side, his hand a light press on Mason’s lower back.
All Mason wanted to do was curl into Colt, let him take the reins and deal with everything.
“Do you want to grab some dinner?” Colt asked.
Mason shook his head. Maybe he’d have a snack later, but right now, the thought of food roiled in his twisted guts.
“Come on.” Colt slid his hand down Mason’s arm, the gentle tap on his knuckles a silent request to release his fists, and then laced their fingers together. “Let’s get back to the house. There’s nothing else we can do tonight.”
Mason let himself be guided back home, grateful Colt didn’t speak or try to make him talk. Even the dogs walked calmly beside them, no doubt having picked up on Mason’s sullen mood. They were such sensitive and empathetic creatures.
“Are you okay?” Colt asked when they entered the house.
Mason nodded, his throat tightening and making it hard to swallow. His voice sounded trashed to his ears when he said, “In shock, I think.”
He headed for the kitchen but stopped halfway there, suddenly lost. He felt Colt’s gaze on him but didn’t turn around. Couldn’t. He felt like he’d been dragged through a hay mower—shredded and spit out.
Then Colt was standing in front of him, his hands on Mason’s shoulders and concern in his blue eyes.
“How do I make sense of this?” His voice was a hoarse whisper.
“You don’t,” Colt replied. “Trying to make sense of the crimes people commit is an endless spiral. You need to learn how to let these things go and move forward.”
“But how?”
Colt shook his head, sadness in his eyes.
“You sure you don’t want something to eat?”
“Maybe later.” Mason dropped his gaze and focused on the base of Colt’s throat. He stared at the steady, even pace of his pulse there—the rhythm of it soothing.
Mesmerized, unable to move, unable to think what he needed to do now, what he should do. He raised his gaze to meet Colt’s. He needed something from Colt but didn’t quite know how to articulate what it was exactly.
Thankfully, Colt was intuitive enough to pick up on his inner turmoil and pulled him fully into his arms.Yes, that was what he needed. Mason melted into him. He swore his whole body sighed. Everything felt right when he was in Colt’s embrace.
Colt eased back and took Mason’s hand in his. He led him down the hallway and paused at the end. Mason knew it was a silent question: which room? But Mason couldn’t even handle that much right then. Too much thinking hurt. He just wanted to feel something good and forget everything else.
