Page 42 of Hidden Obsession

She letthem into Mason’s apartment, the tiny hope that he may have come home, no matter how small was doused by the silence. Her heart fell as Travis stepped in behind her and followed silently as she walked to the couch and slumped down, feeling exhausted and cold.

Travis moved to stand in front of her, before crouching down. “Do you want some coffee or hot chocolate?”

Travis had been kind, and she didn’t want to be short with him, but what she really wanted was to be left alone. Cleo nodded instead. “Hot chocolate would be nice thank you.” She moved to get up. “Let me just show you…”

He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I can find everything, Cleo.”

She sat back and offered him a small smile of thanks. Noticing the hoodie Mason had worn a few days before slung over the sofa, she grabbed it and pulled it over her head. The instant comfort from his scent almost made her cry. Her body huddled deeper into the soft, warm fabric that hung halfway down her legs.

She and Mason had been an instant attraction, but she had fought it, putting up vibes for him to stay away this last year. Even the stabbing that had left him clinging to his life had not woken her. Life was precarious and short, she saw that now.

Somehow though, he had managed to break through the barriers around her heart, cracking the walls she’d built until they had crumbled. She loved him, and there was no denying it. Had Spears taken away the only man she ever loved? Life wouldn’t be so cruel that he would take everything from her. A tear slid down her cheek, and she swiped it away, determined not to give up on Mason. He was skilled and intelligent, and he would make it out of whatever hell Spears had him in.

Cleo looked up as Travis came to stand in front of her. Taking the hot chocolate from him she allowed the warmth to spread through her.

“He’ll be okay, Cleo. You have to believe that wherever he is, he’s safe and unharmed.”

Cleo sipped the warm sweet drink before looking at Travis. “I know I have to think that, but it’s easy to let your mind go to the bad first.”

“I know it is. But Mason is a good man, the best in fact. You have to believe that things will work how they are meant to.”

Cleo stayed silent processing that, too tired to speak but not wanting to sleep in case something happened. Her cell rang in her bag, and she rushed to grab it, her hands shaking as she looked at the unknown caller. “Mason!” she exclaimed.

“Cleo, honey, is that you?” She immediately recognized her grandmother’s strong yet feminine voice.

“Nana.” Tears filled her eyes at hearing her grandmother’s voice.

“Yes, dear. Are you okay? They said Spears had caught up with you?”

“Yes, he did. He said he had you and I fell for it.” Her sob caught in her throat as she realized it was all her fault for being so stupid.

“Oh, my sweet girl. You have such a big heart. They say he has your young man?”

Cleo took a breath to steady her voice. “Yes. Mason came to rescue me with his team and then he disappeared.”

“Well, having met these people, I have no doubt he’ll be back with you in no time, and then I want to meet the man who has my beautiful granddaughter so enamored.”

Cleo smiled at the old fashioned statement but didn’t deny it. “You’ll love him, Nana. He is just so...” She stopped not having the words.

“I know, sweetie. I felt the same way about your grandfather, god rest his soul. Now it’s very late, and I’m old. I’ll call you tomorrow when this handsome young man you sent wakes me with breakfast in bed.”

Cleo said goodnight with a smile on her face thinking of the fun her grandmother was having with Wolf.

“Is she safe?” Travis was watching her from the doorway, and she noticed he was wearing Mason’s jumper, the one with the zip on the neck. For some reason, it bothered her that he had been in and helped himself to Mason’s clothes. “Cleo?”

She shook herself. “Yes, she’s flirting with Wolf, so I assume she’s fine.” She stood, wanting to be alone. “I think I might go to bed. Do you need anything? Blanket, pillow?”

“Na, I can grab a throw from the spare room.”

Cleo tilted her head. “Okay, will you please wake me if you hear anything at all?”

“Yes, of course, I will.” He moved forward and hugged her tightly, and she took some comfort in that. Travis was a good man and would make some woman very happy one day.

“Thanks, Travis. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“There is no place I’d rather be than here with you.” A shiver fell down her spine at those words.

An hour later, Cleo heard the front door close and heaved a sigh of relief. She hoped Travis had decided she was OK on her own and had gone back to his place for the night. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Travis, he was just a little full-on—watching her every move, asking if she was okay every five seconds, or if she wanted to drink or eat. She looked at the hot chocolate sitting on her bedside table. A couple of sips couldn’t hurt. He meant well, but she wanted some peace to think about everything that had happened in the last few hours. And even maybe catch some sleep. Perhaps it would help clear her mind, see a detail that may help find Mason.