His eyes search my face, a lone tear rolling across his temple and into his hairline.
“He’s gone, Nina.” More tears start to fall, and I wipe them away with my thumbs.
“He hasn’t. Mason, he hasn’t. Feel him. Let him leave and then breathe him in. He is here, I promise.” My own tears stream down my cheeks and drip from my chin.
“He didn’t know,” he sobs.
I hold him close, leaning down and kissing his forehead as he cries. “I’m so sorry.”
“He didn’t know.” His head falls to my breastbone, and he breaks down in my arms, our tears merging into one as they stream down my chest.
My beautiful, broken man.
27
Mase
If ever Iwere to break, I’d never pick her arms to be the ones I would fall into. But this wasn’t a choice. It was a need, and she showed up.
A feeling I’ve not felt for many years weighs heavy on me, a feeling I know comes with a loss.
As a child, my mother’s passing was hard to take. It didn’t make sense, and it impacted me for years. I thought it was my age that made it feel the way it did, but the ache in my chest now tells me I would never have been prepared when it came to losing them.
I thought I was strong.
Walking back to the house with Nina under my arm, I draw from her strength, but I know it won’t be enough.
Her head lifts to mine, and she gives me a strained smile. As we near the house, I stop where I stand and pull Nina into me.
“I’m sorry, Pix.” I kiss her head.
“Sorry?” she questions as I turn and walk towards my Bentley, leaving her behind. “Hey!” she shouts. “Mason, what about Scar?”
My gaze catches hers, anger brimming behind her deep chocolate pools. “I will see you at home.”
Her brows rise in surprise as I shut the door, start the engine and tear off out of the drive.
* * *
Nina
My heart burnsas I make my way up the front steps and into the house. I give a small smile to the Montgomerys who sit in the lounge, but I don’t stop, moving towards the kitchen where I see Lance leaning in the doorway.
I place my hand on his back. “Excuse me,” I whisper.
“Nina,” he utters softly, his face solemn.
I swallow down the lump in my throat and avoid eye contact with him. I can’t deal with Lance being nice right now. It will send me over the edge.
“Where’s Mase?” Elliot asks, tipping his chin.
I look around at the boys, shaking my head, not knowing what to say.
Charlie drops his head, his hands shoving deep in his suit trousers. He knows.
“He hates it here, I don’t blame him,” Scarlet murmurs from the island.
“He fucking left?” Elliot spits.
