“Yes, okay. Thank you,” Nina tells him.
Vinny looks over at me in question, and I give him a nod. “Come on, love.”
He wraps his arm around her and walks her to the Audi.
“You’re sure she doesn’t need to go to hospital?” I ask the paramedic as he starts to remove his gloves.
“The car took the brunt of the impact.” He looks at the crumpled front bumper. “She should be fine, but as I said, call if you have any concerns. She’s pretty shaken up but otherwise fit and healthy.” He nods to me before climbing into the back of the ambulance.
I start to empty the Bentley of all my belongings before it gets towed away. Scarlet stands at my side as I open the boot.
A suitcase stuffed full lies in the bed.
“She said you asked her to move in.” Scarlet smiles.
“Yeah,” I say, staring down at the small case.Does she have more than this?
“Dad has an appointment tomorrow.”
“Not now, Scar, please.” I look at her, running my hand down over my face. “Just not tonight.”
“When then, Mase? You didn’t even tell Nina!”
“Tell her what?” I frown.
“Jesus Christ. About Dad! The transplant!”
“I was going to.”
She rolls her eyes, knowing I wouldn’t have. “It’s about time you started taking his health more seriously. Before it’s too late.” She stalks off towards her car, and I slam the boot.
Nina seems to have pulled herself together once I slide into the Audi. I look to Vinny in the rearview mirror, and he gives me a warm smile that tells me she’s okay.
“Come here,” I whisper, pulling her onto my lap and breathing her in.
Nina
Words aren’t needed on the elevator ride up to the penthouse. Mason’s hold on me seems to soothe the adrenaline that invades me as much as my embrace diminishes his stress.
I only ask to know that you are safe.
Guilt eats at me for not calling him sooner.
“I need a shower,” I tell him, not releasing him.
I don’t want to let him go.
As if he understands, he takes my hand and leads me up the stairs. He pulls me into his en suite, leaning in to turn on the spray as I sit on the edge of the bath.
“It’s late, baby. Let’s get you showered and in bed. Do you feel okay, still?”
I nod and stand, my body aching as I go to lift my top, but he’s already there. He pulls my T-shirt up over my arms, then removes my bra.
Leaning forward, he kisses my forehead, pausing with his lips there. “I was so fucking scared. Petrified that something had happened. I thought the worst and then Scarlet called and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel in control.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Shh,” he murmurs against my head. “It’s not your fault.”
