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Brad’s eyebrows rose. That was putting it mildly, but he didn’t say so.
“Are you pursuing Faith Radisson?” Mason asked.
“No. General Ray asked me to teach her to spar and Levi saw us and was … upset. And then Princess Kiera asked me to escort Faith to the ball this evening.” He lifted his hands.
“The fearless little princess.” Mason shook his head, his grin widening. “That girl is fiercely loyal and will do anything for those she loves. She was probably trying to use you to make Levi jealous.”
“Hmm. I think it worked. He cut in at the ball and they were dancing together when I left. I walked down to the command office, simply to see if anybody I knew was there, not ready to go back to my bunk alone, and Arianna ran into me.” Fate, or was heaven trying to tell him something? His angel mum was always watching over him. Of that he was certain. He’d stayed safe in African war zones, protecting innocent lives time and again, and had miraculously been rescued and escaped two different captures.
Every mess in his life was on his own shoulders. Not heaven’s fault.
Mason’s gaze sharpened. “Are you pursuing Arianna?”
That was a harder question. He was tempted to lie and say no, but he and Mason would be working closely together for who knew how long. He wanted a good relationship with the man. “We were childhood family friends. The one time I had an opportunity with her, I messed up and deserted her. That was eight years ago. I highly doubt she’d give me another chance. Plus, she’s dating you.”
“Thankyoufor acknowledging that.” Mason threw his hands in the air, but he was grinning. “What you aren’t saying aloud is if she is interested, you would climb to the top of the Matterhorn in bare feet and a loincloth to prove your love.”
Brad laughed. He couldn’t help it. The guy was just one of those hilarious dudes who found the humor in everything. “You read me like a book,” he admitted.
Arianna being interested in him and forgiving him when she learned the entire story were two separate things. He doubted the magic of both would ever happen.
“I knew it.” Mason stepped closer. They were close to the same height. Mason wasn’t quite as thick as Brad, but he was lean and strong. These men thought Brad was a new recruit, but they had no clue the battles he’d fought, the abilities he’d honed to stay alive and protect innocent lives, or the horrors and death he’d seen and inflicted. He would beat Mason, but he imagined they’d have a fair fight.
“So here’s the part where I warn you,” Mason continued, his blue eyes twinkling. “If she chooses you and you ditch and hurt her again, I’ll cut your kidneys out and eat them for a late afternoon snack.”
Brad winced and chuckled. “I’d expect nothing less.”
“And I also need to tell you … may the most jovial and committed man win. Because I’m highly interested in the beautiful Arianna, I have a wicked sense of humor, and I didn’t desert her eight years ago.”
“Touché.” Brad felt a twinge of annoyance, but the words were fair and true. Mason was definitely the most jovial. The most committed to winning Arianna’s heart? That remained to be seen. Brad knew what he’d lost by leaving eight years ago. He’d known it and mourned it the entire time he’d been gone.
He’d been a legitimate, guilt-filled, sorrow-twisted mess the day he left. If he could admit his dark secrets to her and Arianna still gave him another chance, he’d be the most committed man on the planet. His chance with her was slim to none, however, especially with Mason in the competition and the fact that Brad had no desire to come clean, spill the story he’d hidden from her, and see the disgust and anger that would surely appear in her teal-blue eyes.
“How about we alternate the sleeping situation?” Mason asked. “You take the bed tonight and I’ll make do out here on the couch, then we’ll swap tomorrow night.”
“That will work. Thank you.”
Mason nodded. “I’ll bring your things in when they drop them off. We’ll have to share the closet and bathroom.”
“Sounds good. I appreciate it.” Brad turned to go, but then he turned back. “And I appreciate you not holding a grudge about my issues with Captain Favor, and you treating me like an equal.” Brad was several ranks below Mason, and some military men would’ve made that an issue.
“General August and Lieutenant General Prescott obviously know your experience and are impressed with you. That’s good enough for me. Plus, I’m more concerned about us working well together and protecting Arianna than I am about rank. You keep up your end of the security detail and I won’t have any issue with you.”
“Thank you.” Brad should’ve just walked into the bedroom, but he couldn’t resist asking, “Even if Arianna chooses to date me instead of you?”
“Have you looked at me?” Mason spread his arms, beaming.
“Stiff competition for certain.” Brad chuckled. He liked Mason. He hadn’t foreseen that he would like his competition and the best friend of the man who loathed him. Levi loathed him for good reason. Mason was easygoing, accepting, and fun. The man took nothing too seriously, which was a stark contrast to Brad’s life the past eight years where almost everything seemed to be a life or death decision. Actually, Mason had been serious when he’d first entered the general’s office. He clearly took Arianna’s safety seriously.
“Arianna is a brilliant and talented lady,” Mason said. “She’ll make the right choice.”
Brad had no answer for that. The right choice for Arianna would definitely be Mason. She was brilliant, talented, and had developed into an impressive and successful lady in the past eight years. She was smart enough to stay far away from the man who’d ditched her. The man who had no future or means or even a solid foundation.
Was there any way he could prove to her and himself that he was the right choice? He didn’t know. Because if he was honest with himself and put his selfish desires aside … He didn’t believe that he was.
ChapterFive
When Arianna gotout of the bath, she sipped the chamomile tea Malory sent up and spoke with her dad on the phone. He was stunned and horrified by her attempted murder, begged her to listen to General August, not to leave the castle, and to stay safe. He told her no less than ten times that he loved her and was praying for her.
