I give them another smile, trying to reassure them. I’m not a crazy person, at least I don’t think. They guy just stares back at me, narrowing his eyes.
I don’t think that helped. I look away quickly. I’m just smiling at him randomly like a moron. Now he definitely thinks I’m some kind of freak here to attack Mason or something.
I cross my arms and wait. There’s not much else I can do. I realize that I don’t even have Mason’s phone number, which seems insane. He’s given me so much and I feel so close to him, and yet I still can’t call him if I want to.
There’s still a distance between us. There’s a gap and something’s sitting in that gap, a wedge. It’s holding us apart and I don’t know how to get it away. I want to be closer, to know everything about him, but he must be holding something back.
I don’t have time to worry too much about it, though. After a few minutes of waiting, I notice the guards come out from behind the desk and walk toward me.
I turn to say something and stop, staring at the man walking over with them.
It’s Declan.
He’s smiling at me, a wicked little thing, ugly on his pug face. The three men stop nearby, with Declan grinning the whole time.
“Is this the girl?” he asks.
“This is her, sir.”
“Good.” He steps toward me, and shakes his head. “No, she doesn’t belong here.”
“Very good.”
“Declan. What are you talking about?”
His eyes shine fire. He’s close enough to speak without the guards hearing. “You’re done here,” he says softly. “You’re finished. Don’t put up a fight and it won’t be so bad for Mason.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He’s finished too. Don’t embarrass him.”
I stare at Declan, my whole world rocked to the core.
I don’t know what to do. I want to find Mason and ask him where to go, what to think, but I can’t reach him. The guards are looming and Declan is grinning at me wildly.
Mason is finished. What the hell does that mean?
I don’t care about myself. I don’t care if Declan pushes me out, or whatever he’s trying to do. It doesn’t matter.
Mason matters to me, and if he’s in trouble, I have to help him.
I just don’t know how. I wish I did, but the guards are stepping closer, looking serious.
“Please escort her out,” Declan says louder, stepping away from me. “She shouldn’t give you any trouble.”
“Right this way, miss,” the larger guard says to me.
I glare at him, glare at Declan, but I start walking. I want to scream and yell, make a damn scene, but I don’t.
Declan’s words keep playing in my mind.
I can’t make a scene. I can’t make it worse for Mason.
I follow the guards out of the building. I start a slow, lonely walk back to the house Mason built for me, not sure what the hell is going on. I’m scared and angry and confused, but most of all, I’m already starting to miss Mason.
I feel like the world is ending and I can’t do a thing to stop it.18MasonI come out into my office and for the first time in months, Hazel isn’t there.
I frown a little and sit. I wait a few minutes, assuming she’s simply running late for once, but she doesn’t show.
I glance at my watch. Impatient, I call Rogers.
“She’s not here yet, sir,” Rogers says, sounding concerned.
“Has she ever been late before?” I ask him.
“Never, sir.”
“So this is unlike her.”
“Yes, sir. I believe it is.”
“Would she call?”
He hesitates. “I don’t think she has a number to call, sir. You always want to keep things, ah, private.”
Shit. “Very well. Keep me informed, and please bring in my coffee.”
“Good, sir. One other thing.”
“Yes?”
“It’s Declan, sir. He’s here, wishes to talk about something.”
“What about?” I grumble, not ready to face that slime so early.
“I don’t know, sir, but he seems to think it’s important.”
“Send him in. Make him bring the coffee.”
I smile to myself and hang up the phone. A few minutes later, Declan comes in carrying the try and looking angry as hell.
“Good morning, Declan,” I say to him.
He glares at me. “Your coffee, Mason.”
“Thanks.” He places the tray down on my desk and sits in a chair.
“You know, you don’t have to embarrass me,” he says. “We’re on the same side.”
“We are?” I pour my coffee and frown. “I thought I was on the side of building this company, and you were on the side of stealing from it.”
He gapes at me. “Stealing?”
“You are funneling funds from the company into private, off-shore banks, are you not?”
“Wh-what?” he stutters. “Absolutely not.”
“Of course not.” I smile at him sweetly. “What did you want to talk about?”
He stares at me for a second, clearly gathering himself before speaking. “It’s about the girl,” he says finally.