Page 57 of Hidden Obsession

Chapter Twenty-Six

Over the lastfour weeks life had settled into a rhythm Cleo never had before but one she could see herself loving for the rest of her life. Her nana had found herself a small house close to the beach in a community of senior citizens. With Malco’s and Mason’s help, they had packed up her home in Mesa and moved her into her new place this past weekend.

For her part, life had changed in all the best ways. She spent her nights with the man she loved and her days doing a job that gave her satisfaction and fulfillment. She was surrounded by friends and family every day and more blessed than she could ever have wished for.

Just one thing marred the beauty of her life—Spears was still unaccounted for, and it left a nasty stain on the horizon of her life. Mason wanted her to officially move in with him, or for them to get a new place together, but with Spears hanging over them she was reluctant to do so. When she and Mason took that next step, she wanted it to be with a clean slate. Not with her past hovering, threatening to tarnish it.

Mason was patient with her about it and said he understood, but she also knew he was frustrated with the limbo she had placed them in.

The door to the Agency opened, and her nana breezed in on Malco’s arm, who had somehow been adopted by the older woman. Her grandmother sent her a beaming smile. “Cleo, my darling girl! I’ve come to take you to lunch at The Point.”

Cleo was happy to see her grandmother looking more carefree and content than she’d seen her for a very long time. She had failed to see the pain Spears had caused her grandmother and regretted that. Even though her grandmother didn’t blame her, she still felt ashamed and vowed to take better care of the woman who had been her everything for so long.

“That sounds wonderful. I love the crayfish they make there. Let me grab my bag.” Cleo sent a quick text to Mason telling him where she was going and smiled when she received one back with lots of heart and kiss emojis. It would shock the people they worked with if they knew what a soft romantic he was. The dignified and professional veneer he wore at work was still in place, if a little more relaxed these days, but with her, he was a total sap. She loved it, and she loved him.

Mason Bentley had changed her life in all the best ways, and she’d never get tired of hearing him say he loved her. She’d also never get tired of the way he made her body sing to his tune with the slightest touch. The passion between them was insatiable, and she hoped it never changed.

“We can take my car, that way Malco can stay here and catch up with Knight.”

Malco paused. “Are you sure?”

Cleo’s grandmother nodded and turned her head to Malco, “My dear boy, it’s time you went back to work doing more important things than watching an old woman all day.”

Malco grinned. “Mrs. D., you know I love our time together.”

“Be that as it may, you need to get back to work. You’re cramping my style with the residents at my new abode if you know what I mean.” She gave him a wink.

Malco burst out laughing. “I got ya, Mrs. D.” Malco winked at her and walked back inside as Cleo grinned.

“Nana, have you got your eye on a man?” Cleo took her grandmother’s arm and steered her toward the car at the front.

Her grandmother took her seat on the passenger’s side before answering. “Maybe I do, and maybe I don’t.” With another wink, she patted her granddaughter’s hair.

Cleo drove the short distance to The Point trying to get information from her grandmother about this new man.

Once they were seated and their drinks order was taken, her grandmother pinned her with a silent look that meant business. It was the one she used when Cleo was young and trying to hide something from her. “Right, young lady, are you going to tell me why you’re stalling moving in with Mason?”

Cleo looked away, surprised. “I’m not.”

“Don’t lie to me. I’ve known you your entire life.” Her grandmother reached across the table for her hand. “Tell me, child.”

Cleo could never lie to her grandmother for long. “I’m terrified.”

“Oh, darling girl, why?”

Tears pricked Cleo’s eyes. “What if we move in together and everything changes, or Spears comes back and ruins it all?”

“Oh, Cleo, my sweet child. Of course things will change, but that doesn’t mean it will be for the worse. Life is constantly evolving and moving, and we have to move with it or get left behind, wondering what could have been. Don’t live your life in fear; embrace it. We only get one life, so make the most of it.”

“I want to,” Cleo admitted, “but what about Spears?”

“Cleo, have faith in those around you. Your young man loves you, and I have no doubt he and his friends will stop at nothing to make sure that threat is neutralized. Mark my words it will all work out. Have faith, my girl. Do you love him?”

“With every bone in my body.” That was an honest answer.

“Do you trust him?”

“Completely.”