Page 3 of Unmasked

“If you happen to get more pictures, take them immediately to the police, then let us know.” She nodded, and he continued. “If you have a few minutes, I’d like to introduce you to Mason.”

“Sure.”

Her voice was soft, tentative, and it sent a little bolt of unease straight to his heart. He stood, eager to put some distance between them. “If you’ll stay here for a moment, I’ll see if he’s available.”

Without waiting for her reply, he bolted out of the office and down the hall. He paused in front of the door of the bullpen, and he felt Vivi’s eyes on him from where she sat behind the reception desk.

“Is…?”

He waved her off before she could finish whatever she was about to ask. He was too much of a mess inside; he wasn’t even sure how he felt yet, and he didn’t want to get into it with her right now. He keyed in the code, then threw open the door. Mason and Miles Kane turned to glance at him as he practically barreled into the room.

“Mason.” His eyes locked on him as he immediately stood, looking wary and alert, almost as if he could feel the tension rolling off Knox. “You free for another job?”

“Absolutely.” He didn’t hesitate, though his inquisitive gaze never moved from Knox’s face as he approached. “What do you have for me?”

“I’ve got a woman in my office, someone I grew up with.” Knox almost choked on the words. What a way to describe his relationship with Everleigh. “Her name is Everleigh Beaumont, and she’s the daughter of a wealthy oil baron. Someone has been stalking her, taking photographs and leaving them for her.”

He followed Knox out of the bullpen. “Anything else?”

“Not yet, and I’d like to keep it that way.” Knox pointed to the conference room. “Meet you there in just a sec.”

Mason nodded and broke off, heading into the conference room while Knox went to retrieve Everleigh. He paused outside his office and drew a deep breath before stepping inside. Everleigh turned at the sound of his feet on the carpet, and he tipped his head. “If you’ll follow me, please.”

His heart thundered in his chest, his stomach twisting into knots as he led the way down the hall. He gestured for her to precede him inside, and she shot a little smile Mason’s way as she entered.

“Hello.”

“Ms. Beaumont.” Mason extended his hand to her, and Knox felt something twist inside him when he watched her slip her fingers into his. “Mason Kane.”

Knox cleared his throat as he stared at Mason, still unable to look at Everleigh. “If you need anything, please let me know.”

He turned to go, but a soft voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Knox…” Several seconds of silence followed, but he didn’t dare turn around. “It was good to see you.”

The foundation of his carefully constructed world felt like it was crumbling beneath his feet, all because of her. The one woman he had loved with every fiber of his being. The one who sat just a few feet from him, yet had never been farther away.

A myriad of emotions clogged his throat, threatening to choke him, and he swallowed them down. His lungs constricted in his chest, and his heart cracked wide open. He couldn’t drag in a breath, let alone bring himself to respond. He moved quickly from the room, desperate to put distance between them.

With just a few words, Everleigh had managed to shake the foundation he had built over the past decade. He refused to let her back in. He couldn’t. Because if he did, it would break him… And this time, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to put the pieces back together.

CHAPTER

TWO

She couldn’t believe she’d said it, yet she couldn’t hold back the words. It was like they’d been pressing against her throat, clamoring to break free. And God, did it feel good to say them.

Because it was the truth. She’d missed him so much she almost couldn’t believe he was really there, so close she could reach out and touch him, after all this time. Close enough to touch, but wildly off limits. He always had been, not that it had ever mattered. He was the only man she’d ever loved, the one she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with.

Nearly fifteen years had passed, but in that moment when their eyes locked, it was as if every single second had slipped away, back to the past where it was just him and her. It had been almost perfect, except… He didn’t say it back. He’d stiffened, then disappeared without a single word.

She clenched the strap of her purse between her fingers, her heart pounding in her chest. Of course he hadn’t said it back. He probably hated her with every fiber of his being. It also didn’t escape her notice that Knox couldn't even bring himself to say her name when he’d introduced her to Mason. A sharp pain of hurt sliced through her chest, but she forced it down as she smiled tightly.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Kane. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well.” Mason turned his inquisitive gold gaze on her. “So, Ms. Beaumont, Knox tells me you've been receiving pictures.”

“That's correct.” She withdrew the folder from her purse and passed it to him. “As I told Knox, each one of these was left under my windshield wiper while I was in town. Different places, different times, but always the same style.”