He released his hold on my hand but stayed leaning against my desk—so close I could feel the heat from his body. “In terms of where we live, I think it makes the most sense for you guys to move in with me. There’s plenty of space. And, honestly, I think people would find it a little odd if you didn’t.”
He was right. Choosing to forego a massive estate in favor of a miniscule cottage would definitely raise alarm bells. And I knew I would have to let go of the cottage anyway. It wasn’t big enough for me and two kids. But there was pain in doing that. A swift pang, squeezing my chest. Because that had been the first home I’d been able to make mine. A place that had always felt safe. Somewhere I was free. The burn behind my eyes intensified.
“Hey.” Mason leaned in closer. “If you want to stay in the cottage, we can. We’ll figure it out.”
“No. You’re right. Your place makes more sense. I just—the idea of leaving it is harder than I thought.”
Mason’s expression gentled. “It was your first real home, wasn’t it?”
How he understood that with what little I had told him was beyond me. But I was starting to suspect there was more beyond the easygoing exterior Mason showed the world. I’d never pushed for more because he was everything I’d avoided since I was fifteen. The spark I felt every time our eyes met meant I needed to run in the opposite direction. But that running and avoiding meant I hadn’t had a chance to truly get to know the man in front of me.
Somehow, knowing there was an understanding there made me want to give Mason a little more. It was reckless, but I couldn’t resist. “It’s been my safe place.”
“I hope my house will be your safe place, too.”
There was so much hope in his eyes, I couldn’t tell him that it would never be that. Because it would never be mine. It would be like Mason was: on loan for a short period. “Thank you. It’s incredibly generous—”
“You don’t have to thank me—”
It was my turn to cut him off. “You want to help.”
“Already finishing each other’s sentences. Practically an old married couple.”
I barked out a laugh. But the sound of raised voices coming from down the hall cut it off.
“I’m sorry. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’re not on the approved visitors list,” our daytime security guard, Jefferson, said in a calm but firm tone.
“Our daughter works here, and we need to have a word.”
The voice I hadn’t heard in over a decade had ice sliding through my veins and all of the blood draining from my head. My father.
“Anna?”
My head turned towards Mason’s voice, but I couldn’t seem to get my eyes to focus on him as memories slammed into me as hard as my father’s fists once had.
Hands came to my face. “Breathe. Just breathe. He can’t hurt you. But I need you to concentrate. Where are Justin and Lyla?”
Their names snapped me out of my haze. I moved without a word, picking up my phone and hitting one of our staff member’s numbers. Kristin picked up on the third ring. “Hey, Anna. What’s up?”
I did my best to keep my voice even. “I need you to take Justin and Lyla to the cottage right now. Try not to worry them, but don’t leave until I call or come to get them.”
“Sure…is everything okay?”
“Not really. I’ll call when I can.”
“All right. Don’t worry. I’ve got them.”
My fingers tightened around my phone. “Thank you.”
As soon as I hung up, I pushed to my feet, taking a deep breath. My parents didn’t get to do this. They weren’t allowed to sully the place that had been my refuge for so long. They didn’t get to win. Not this time.
Mason stood, too. “You okay?”
I nodded. But as I met his stare, worry gnawed at my resolve. My parents were expert manipulators. It was why Chelsea had stayed away for so long. They’d convinced her that I was an addict and dangerous. That I’d abandoned her, choosing drugs over her. They could color Mason’s view of me, too. “They’re very convincing.”
His expression hardened. “I know a wolf in sheep’s clothing when I see one.”
The anger pouring off Mason told me there was more to that statement than I had knowledge of. But now wasn’t the time to push or prod. I had to face the last two people I ever wanted to see again. “Let’s go.”
