Page 53 of Unmasked

“We’re more than even,” Mason stated firmly. “You gave me your blessing to date Vivi even when I didn't deserve it. That's more than enough for me.”

For a long moment, he stared at Mason, then cracked a smile. “That's enough of that.”

Mason grinned back.

“All right, let's talk logistics,” he said, changing the subject.

He unrolled the map of the city and spread it over his desk. “The gazebo is here in the square.”

He pointed to the large grassy area between the City Hall and police department. “There's good visibility since there's not much around it. I'm thinking I'll take the parking lot here.”

He used his finger to trace a circle around the parking lot on the corner across the street. “How about we put you over here?”

He pointed to the opposite side. “That way, we’ll be able to see whoever is coming from every direction.”

“Works for me,” Mason agreed readily. “Are you sure Tate hasn't tipped off his guy?”

“Better not have.” If he did, he was going to kill him himself. “After what happened at the bar, I don't think he's stupid enough to try to pull one over on us.”

Mason smirked. “Fair enough, but I never underestimate someone’s stupidity.”

Wasn’t that the truth? He grabbed his keys from the top right drawer of his desk, then locked up behind them as they left. Mason hopped into his truck and was gone before he’d even cranked the engine of his SUV. He pulled into the parking lot half an hour before the drop was scheduled to happen, and he took his time watching people mill around the downtown area of Blackwater Key.

At precisely four o'clock, David Tate strolled down the sidewalk toward the gazebo. He watched Tate's head swivel left and right, studying his surroundings, probably wondering if they were watching him. Smart man. He should be cautious.

Tate stepped up into the gazebo, then crossed to the small lending library for people who wanted to relax and read a book in a quiet place. Throwing a quick glance around, he opened the door and slipped a large manila envelope inside. He pretended to peruse the books for a moment before apparently deciding against borrowing one, then left the gazebo.

Knox sat up straighter in his seat. He wasn't sure how long until the other man would come along, but he wanted to be on guard when he arrived. Ten minutes passed, then twenty. He was starting to get antsy when his phone rang and Mason’s name lit up the screen.

“Hey.” Knox scanned the area where Mason was situated. “Anything on your side yet?”

“Not yet. You?”

“No.” Knox let out a little growl. He was going to be pissed if he had to wait all day for the man to show up, or if he found out he'd been tipped off. It was more time spent away from Everleigh, which automatically pissed him off.

Everleigh was supposed to meet her parents for dinner tonight at the country club, and they had invited him along as well. Knox wondered if it physically pained Beaumont to have to extend that offer to him.

A figure striding along the sidewalk caught Knox’s attention, and he blinked hard, wondering if his imagination was playing tricks on him. A sick sense of dread curdled in his stomach as he noticed the book in the man's hand. Still, he hoped with every fiber of his being that he was wrong, that this was all a coincidence.

Knox watched in a sort of shock as the man climbed the steps of the gazebo and headed straight for the lending library. He pulled out the manila envelope and slipped it into his jacket before placing the book inside and closing the doors.

Mason had gone silent on the other end of the phone, just as speechless as Knox was. Because the man who left the gazebo was none other than Conrad Beaumont—Everleigh's father.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-FOUR

Everleigh couldn’t help but smile as her parents’ house came into view through the trees. It seemed like so much had changed since the last time she had been there. She felt like a completely different person—all of it for the better.

Though she and Knox were going to meet her parents for dinner that night, she wanted to stop by and officially clear the air with her father face-to-face. She knew he was still struggling with the situation, and she commended his efforts for trying to welcome Knox into the fold.

Though Knox had a couple of his men deliver Everleigh's car to the house yesterday, she had opted to walk the short distance to their place. She cut across the backyard and let herself in the back door. Her father had said he was finishing up work early that day and would be home around five.

Everleigh knew she was a little early, but she headed to his office to wait. She dropped her purse on one of the overstuffed chairs and drew in a deep breath. The room had such a distinct smell, like old books and cigar smoke, lemony wood polish used on the paneling, and leather from the furniture.

Even as a little girl, she had loved that room. Her father had invited her in, settled her on his knee, and taught her to read. They spent hours poring over books together, reading facts about the places he’d pointed out on the ancient globe in the corner. She passed the globe and gave it a little spin, a smile touching her lips.

There were so many good times from her childhood; she wanted them to get back to that place. Things had been so tense recently, and she hoped that he would be able to set aside his resentment and truly embrace her happiness. Because she really was happier than she had ever been. Knox was back in her life, and it felt as though everything had fallen into place.