Perv(73)

“Yes. I just want some time alone. I’m tired. I need some space.”

She watched his Adam’s apple as he swallowed. Then he nodded. “If it’s what you want, of course.”

She smiled wanly. “Just give me tonight, okay? Don’t read anything into it. I’m just done for the day. I want to be alone.”

He stood, lifting her off his lap and righting her on the floor. He cupped her face in both hands and kissed her lips. And then he led her to the door.

They didn’t say much during the drive. When Mason pulled up in front of her apartment, he circled the car and walked her to the door. At the last second, he grabbed her hand and held it up to his cheek. “Call me if you change your mind.”

She nodded, trying not to cry. She was wrung out from the stress.

“I mean it. I hate leaving you alone like this.”

“Mason—”

He held out a hand to stop her. “I get it. I’m not saying I don’t. But I hate it.” He glanced around. “It’s not the best neighborhood.”

“I’m a big girl.”

He rolled his eyes. “I never said you weren’t, but stuff happens. I meant it when I said you should move in with me. Think about it.”

“I will.” She lifted on tiptoes and kissed his lips. “Thank you.”

“Any time.”

•●•

Mason reluctantly left her at the ratty apartment. While her family lived like the king and queen of some foreign country, she lived in a run-down building, barely making ends meet. Intentionally.

Frustrated and needing release, he headed straight for the gym. He skidded into his usual spot, grateful not for the first time that he kept workout clothes on hand in his locker for an occasion such as this one. In minutes he was on the gym floor beating the hell out of a punching bag. He flexed his fingers a few times and set into a rhythm of pounding the bag until it would have been dead if it had been human.

“Mason…” The voice to his left startled him. He had no idea how long he’d been at it. He lifted his gaze to find Rafe and Rider strolling toward him.

“Dude, who pissed you off?” Rafe asked.

Mason shook his head. “No one. I’m just working out.”

Rafe raised a brow. “Joe called us. He said you’ve been beating the shit out of that bag for an hour without looking up. You have to be exhausted.” Rafe stepped up behind the bag and held it steady, his face leaning around one side.

Rider stepped up behind Rafe. What is this? An intervention?

Mason sucked in oxygen, out of breath. “I guess I’ve been at it a while.” He turned away and grabbed his bottle of water.

“Everything okay with Jenna?” Rider asked.

“Yeah. Sure.” He finished the bottle. “I mean, no.”

“What happened?” Rafe cringed.

Rider stood next to him in his all-business stance. He wasn’t there to work out. He’d been on the job when Joe had called him. And Rider was formidable in his police uniform, gun hanging at the side.

Mason turned back toward Rafe. “Nothing like that. We just had dinner at her parents’ house.” He paused. “Shit. No we didn’t. I need to eat.” He pulled his gloves off and set them aside, flexing his hands several times. He chuckled. “Hell, I left a pizza man hanging too.” He’d forgotten all about that.

“You aren’t making any sense, dude.”

Mason chuckled again. “Yeah. The situation with her family is pretty fucked up. I didn’t know.”

“Ah. So she told you who she really is. I see.”

Mason lifted his gaze to his best friend. “You knew.”

Rafe nodded. “I was sworn to secrecy. She likes people to treat her normally and not spend all their time thinking about her wealth. Which is nonexistent if you consider her family’s unwillingness to help her reach her own dreams.”

Mason took a drink of his water. “Do you think they’d really cut her off entirely?”

Rafe nodded again. “That’s what they say.”

Mason shook his head. Part of him prayed they were bluffing, for her sake. He didn’t give a fuck how much money she had. “The entire thing sucks.”

“It does. But she’s a strong woman. She’s been on her own for two years. She’ll be fine without them.”

“Yeah. I don’t doubt that for a second.” Mason flexed his fingers, cringing at the amount of damage he’d done to his knuckles.

“Where is she now? Why are you here beating the hell out of a punching bag?” Rider asked.

“She wanted some space. I took her home.”

“I’m sure she was stressed. It’s been a long time since she’s faced her parents.” Rafe ran his hands through his hair. “Was her sister there?”