“Yes, thank you,” I agreed sincerely. The fact that this man had dropped everything to find Brian was incredibly moving. It also spoke volumes as to the lengths Mason’s family would go for one another and those they cared about.
“I’ll make breakfast,” Jill offered, already rummaging around Mason’s massive kitchen.
“I should feed Kodi,” I noted.
“I fed him,” Mason shared. “He’s been out too.”
“Oookay,” I muttered, feeling like I’d been hit by a tornado.
“Jacksons don’t specialize in subtlety,” Emmie shared.
“I’m getting that,” I muttered, eliciting a loud laugh from her in response. Despite my frazzled state, I found that I immediately felt comfortable with her.
“But in all seriousness,” she continued, her playful tone turned utterly sincere, “we protect our family. Gunner is the best there is, and Mason will move heaven and earth to make sure you’re safe.”
I tried to disregard the mention of me as family, attributing it to a figure of speech, and with a grateful nod turned toward the coffeepot.
Mason’s mom squeezed my arm gently, no doubt reading my frazzled state despite my best intentions to hide it. “We’re not trying to overwhelm you, honey,” she assured me gently. “We just want to help, in any way we can.”
Her touch and tone were so much like my own mother’s, I leaned into her without even being aware I was doing it. “I know,” I assured her. “My parents would do the same if they were closer. Oh shit, my parents,” I groaned, realizing for the first time they didn’t know what had happened.
“We’ll call them together,” Mason assured me. “After you’ve eaten something.”
I nodded, knowing I could use a bit more time to pull myself together. And there was one critical detail I still needed but hadn’t worked up the courage to ask for.
It was only after the elaborate breakfast spread Jill had made was devoured and I’d gone up to shower and get changed that I squared my shoulders and went in search of Mason.
I found him and Gunner in Mason’s office at the end of the hall, murmuring quietly to each other.
Both men looked up when I appeared in the doorway, Mason’s gaze warm with a familiar expression of affection. “Hi, babe, doing okay? I was just going to come check on you.”
I nodded before taking a fortifying breath. “What did the letter say?” Last night I hadn’t wanted to know what vile message Brian had left for me, but I knew I needed the whole truth.
“Ellie…” He scrubbed his hand over his jaw in clear agitation.
“I need to know, Mason,” I pressed.
Mason shot Gunner a look before letting out a growl of frustration, his fists balled at his sides. “Give it to her.” He shot a chin lift to Gunner, who pulled the piece of paper from a file he’d no doubt begun to collect on Brian.
I took a deep breath and forced my eyes to the page, Brian’s neat, block lettering all too familiar.
My dearestEllie–
I will never forgive this betrayal. Looks like youneed a reminder that you belong to me. You always have and you always will. Despite you whoring yourself out to that jock,Iremain utterly committed to you. I leave these flowers as a last gesture of my love along with this promise. I will rip your heartout the way you have ripped out mine. You leave me no choice. Wewill leave this world together, as one, as it should be. I’ll see you soon.
All my love,
Brian
“How poetic,” I muttered, handing the offending piece of paper back to Gunner. I wanted to shower again after touching it.
“Now you see why I don’t want you to leave the property?” Mason demanded, his arms crossed over his massive chest.
“By me holing up here, he’s getting exactly what he wants—control,” I argued.
“I couldn’t give a fuck as long as you’re in one piece,” Mason snarled.
“Easy for you to say when you haven’t had your life dictated by a psychopath for the past four years,” I countered as Gunner subtly left the room.
