Today has been a clusterfuck of emotions, and I’m ready to get the hell away from him. I’m ready to be alone because I’m too emotionally unstable to be around people.
Maddie finishes her conversation, and we meet with our parents. After Lennon and Hunter leave, I tell Maddie I’m tired, and we make our way to the car.
“You okay?” she asks as we walk down the path through the magical park full of fairy tales and nursery rhyme characters.
“I’m fine.” But I don’t know if I really am. The only thing on my mind right now is the sincerity and concern in Mason’s eyes when he looked at me. Something I haven’t seen in a long time.
The first time Mason met Weston, it was obvious he hated him. I was too inside my head and heart to listen when Mason told me to be careful. A part of me wishes I would’ve asked questions instead of acted like a total bitch—something I’m really good at apparently.
I go home and climb into bed, not even waiting up for Weston. Sleep finds me before he gets home, which is good, because I’m not sure what I would’ve said to him otherwise, and I’m sure he’s been drinking again.
Chapter Eleven
Mason
ONE MONTH BEFORE THE FIGHT
It’s gotten to a point where I can’t stop thinking about Sophie. Every morning when I wake up and every night before I go to sleep, she’s on my mind. I’m worried as fuck, and Liam is too because she’s avoiding us both like the plague. Me, I understand, but him? They were good friends and hung out all the time, but it slowed down the moment she started dating Weston and then abruptly stopped when she moved in with him.
As I’m sitting at my desk eating another shitty microwave meal, I decide I’m not going to let this sit. I can’t seem to shake the bad feeling I have about this guy.
Now that I’m playing secretary at the DA’s office until a forensics position opens in the fall when Jack retires, it’ll make getting information much easier. Just being Michael Holt’s son gives me an advantage. Though I curse it most of the time, this time it just might come in handy. Considering Sophie could be in more danger than any of us realizes, I’m not afraid to use it to get what I need.
As I walk across the building to Jerad’s office, I shoot a text to Liam and ask him to call me when he goes on break. I’ve known Jerad since my first internship right after college. Back then, he was a nobody here, but now he oversees an entire department of criminal investigators and has access to information I can’t get on my own. I have no doubt he’ll help me, but I can’t just pick up the phone or shoot off an email with this request. It’ll probably require an explanation of sorts, which I’m ready to give. There’s a lot of risk asking for an off-the-record background check, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep at night if I don’t find out everything I can about this prick.
When I step inside Jerad’s office, he’s busy flipping through a folder of images while eating lunch. When I glance down, I see a horrific scene, and I can’t believe he’s able to chew his food and look at that.
“Dude,” I say, “you’re fuckin’ disgusting.”
He shrugs and finishes chewing. “What’s up, Holt? To what do I owe the pleasure?”
I sit in front of him. “I have a really big favor to ask.”
“Daddy couldn’t help?” He smirks, already knowing about my relationship with my father. It wasn’t something I could keep secret years ago when I assisted him in the department. Instead of talking shit, I keep my comments to myself about that, but he sure knows how to press my buttons, as most do.
“No. I don’t want him involved in my business,” I reply curtly.
This causes Jerad to let out a hearty laugh. “Your business is your father’s business, Holt. You already know this. Why do you think you’re here in the big DA’s office doing bitch work?”
I should’ve known he’d give me a hard time. Even though I don’t see him that often, this is typical. “You done yet?” I arch a brow, seemingly bored with his antics.
“Eh. I could probably keep going.” He chuckles. “But I’ll spare you. What’s going on? Must be serious if you need my help.”
I sit on the edge of my seat. “You still have access to run in-depth off-record background checks, right? Or can easily get them?”
“Yesssss,” he draws out, eyeing me curiously.
“I’m concerned my friend is dating a dangerous man, and I need to get some info about him. Can you help?”
He pops an eyebrow. “Might cost ya.”