Waiting for Mason, she focused on the people around her, trying to figure out who or what she had seen earlier. She couldn't help feeling edgy. Though Alena was gone, she knew there were others after her and danger was ever-present.
The bartender placed a glass of water in front of her, even though she hadn't ordered one. She recognized him from the last time she was there.
"Thank you."
He smiled and attended to another customer.
Sensing a body next to her and thinking Mason was back, she turned and smiled, but that smile disappeared shortly after. "Sorry, but this seat is taken."
"I don't see anyone here except me, sweetheart. Why don't I buy you a drink?" the stranger said.
"Thanks, but I'm here with someone. And if you don't mind, like I said before, this seat is taken."
He was young and attractive, but she instantly felt a chill. Though she was flattered, she couldn't help the inexplicable frightening connection as if somehow she knew him. Was it in the familiarity of his scent or his voice? Whatever it was, it was definitely something she couldn't pinpoint. Brushing away the thought, she chalked it up as paranoia kicking in from having been through so much.
He leaned in closer, too close for comfort. "Your blood smells sweet."
Skylar jerked back. She wasn't sure what she'd heard through the loud music. Surely he'd said she smelled sweet and not her blood, but she didn't like his words either way. "He'll be back soon."
"Are you sure? I'm really fun to be with," he murmured, running his index finger down the back of the hand she had resting on her glass.
"Ouch." Skylar pulled her hand away and jumped from the sharp sting. Apprehension crawled through her as she wondered if he was like Mason. Instead of stirring things up with questions, she ignored it. She didn't want the stranger to realize she knew. That would confirm she was one of them. And she definitely didn't want to make a fool of herself in case she was wrong, so she kept her mouth shut.
"Sorry. I shocked you," he said flatly, without looking at her. "There's a whole new world out there. A world that can be placed in your hands. Why don't you come with me?"
"She's not going anywhere with you," Mason stated with hostility in his voice, appearing just in the nick of time. "Sorry, but this beautiful young lady is taken, by me. If you'd like to fight for her, I suggest we take it outside."
"Perhaps another day." The stranger stood and sized Mason up. They were the same height. With a nod, he walked away.
"Are you serious?" Skylar gripped Mason's arm. "What if he had taken you up on your challenge?"
He arched his brows. "You think I can't take him?"
"No, of course you could. I'm just afraid of what you'd do to him."
"I would fight for you, don't you know that, Ms. Rome? I'm not a cheater. It would be man to man, not man to my-" He wiggled his fingers. "And believe me, I would win."
Indeed, he had been fighting for her. Fighting all the evils they'd encountered so she could live. Even fighting his personal demons, trying to define what she meant to him. He had been there for her from the moment all the crazy things had happened, and for that she would be forever grateful. Melting inside, all she could do after that was say softly, "I know now." Then she gave him a long luscious kiss.
With a grin, Mason turned to the bartender. "Hey, Ben, get us the usual. We'll be in the back room. Thanks."
"There's a back room?"
Without answering Skylar's question, Mason led her through the crowd. "Come on, Echo."
Music filled the air as the customers laughed, ate, and enjoyed themselves. On the way to the back, she passed by so many bodies. The restaurant was packed, but luckily they were headed to a private room.
When Skylar entered, the room was dim and the surrounding candles gave it a romantic feel. With excitement overflowing, Skylar looked at Mason. "I like my surprise." The room was cozy and there were two round tables set for two. Though the room looked different, it reminded her of the private room at Bella Amore. "Are we expecting anyone else?"
The door flung open wider. "Skylar," Kayla greeted.
"Kayla?" Skylar wrapped her arms tightly around her cousin, her eyes gleaming with happy tears.
Skylar released her cousin and embraced Mason with all her might.
"Hey, I'm here too," Nick said with a smirk.
"Sorry." Skylar chuckled, giving Nick a hug too.
"This is fantastic. We finally get to do the double date I've always talked about," Kayla exclaimed.
"Are we gonna stand here all night or shall we sit?" Nick said lightly when the waitress walked in with their drinks.
"I ordered drinks for us at the bar," Mason said, pulling out a chair for Skylar.
The two couples settled into their seats and ordered their dinner.
"This is cool. Our own private room," Kayla said, taking a sip of her water.
"Mace's idea," Nick grinned, raising his bottle of beer to him.
"Mace?" Kayla questioned. Then she nodded, looking at Mason. "Never mind."
"I knew Sky would like to have dinner with her favorite cousin." Mason winked at Skylar.
Kayla blinked multiple times. "Did you just call her Sky?"
"Yes." Mason looked baffled.
"Skylar let you call her Sky?" Her tone went up a pitch. "Nobody calls her Sky except for her-" She paused, looking at Skylar with hesitation.
Resting her hand on Kayla's shoulder, Skylar gave her a serene expression. "It's okay. I'm okay with it now."
With a hug and a heartfelt smile from Kayla, Skylar turned to Mason. "Sorry. Kayla knew that the only person to call me by that name was my dad."
Mason raised his hands toward Kayla as if to surrender. "I promise, I got her permission first."
"Fine. Remember what I said when you came to my house that night?" Kayla warned.
"Yes, I remember. If I mess with Sky, I'm messing with you too," Mason said nonchalantly as if he was saying it for the tenth time.
"What? When did this happen?" Nick's eyes were wide with curiosity.
"Never mind," Kayla and Mason said in accord.
As they laughed, the conversation became mainly about school and work. The waitress walked in with their dinners and left. After dinner, they ordered dessert. Realizing how late it was, Kayla needed to get back home. Another double date was set for the next week at another restaurant the brothers owned.
Clicking the car remote to unlock it, Mason opened the door for Skylar. Standing face to face, she couldn't believe she was there with him. Looking at him with loving eyes, she spoke, "Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for risking your life for mine."
Mason brushed his hands tenderly on her cheeks. "I told you I would be there for you and I meant it." He kissed her lips slowly, tenderly. After he pulled away, he continued to gaze at her.
"You're staring," Skylar teased, expecting him to say he wasn't, but what she heard next tugged deeply at her heart.
"I'll always stare at you, Sky," he said softly. His words flowed out like the icing on a cake-so sweet and smooth. "To some you're the keeper of death, but to me, you're the keeper of my heart."
Peering deeply into his eyes, her heart melted and she practically floated off the ground. Speechless, she leaned forward to kiss him. Just before their lips touched, Mason reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
"I have something for you. I had this made especially for you. I want you to know that you're my girl, and I'll always be there for you."
"Mason," Skylar exclaimed with a twinkle in her eyes. "I don't know what to say." After Skylar opened the box, she held its contents up to the light. "It's beautiful."
After taking it from Skylar's hand, Mason wrapped the silver chain bracelet around her wrist. Turning it to its correct position, he traced the shape of the silver charm with the tip of his finger. "It's a lightning bolt. You flashed into my life like lightning and gave me strength and hope. You radiated through the darkness in me and brought life into my soul. You light up my life, Sky. You're brave, mesmerizing, intoxicating, and dangerous to me in every way, but I can't help myself. You made me care."
Skylar's heart fluttered a mile a minute, and she was swooning from his loving words. "I love it. Thank you. I'll never take it off," she said, embracing Mason tightly.
"Sky," a male voice said, interrupting the moment.
Skylar pulled back and fixed her eyes on Mason, waiting for him to say something. He was staring back at her with a glow in his eyes. Obviously, he hadn't called her name.
"Sky," Skylar heard again.
There was only one other person that would call her by that name. Surely it couldn't be, after all these years. Mason turned his body; apparently, he'd heard it too. Following Mason's gaze, she saw a man in a long trench coat and a fedora standing tall by the front of the car. It was difficult to distinguish who he was in the dark, hidden behind the glare of a parking light. To get a better look, Skylar took a step forward.