I lower my gun and clear my throat. “I’m here to help.”
Mason crosses over to me in a few seconds and leans forward, so I have to tilt my head to look at him. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I’m here to help,” I repeat.
Mason’s expression darkens. “Me or him?”
“I… both of you,” I stutter. “We talked about this. You know he’s part of my past, and I can’t just turn my back on him.”
“Evidently not,” Mason replies. “I never should’ve told you about this.”
His words feel like a punch to the gut, but I try not to let it show. “You did the right thing by telling me. It would’ve been worse if you hadn’t.”
Mason’s expression remains blank. “Where the fuck is Katia?”
“I don’t know.”
Mason’s nostrils flare, and his eyes flash. “Don’t lie to me, London. You couldn’t have made it here without help. I’m only going to ask you one more time.”
“Leave her alone.”
Mason levels Noah with a withering look. “It’s not your turn. Mind your own damn business. The first shot was a warning. The next one will go into your skull.”
“Anything that concerns London is my business.”
I wince and look over at Noah. “Noah, you’re just making this worse. Stop it.”
Noah frowns. “But, I—”
“I’d listen to her if I were you.” Katia materializes out of the shadows, a blank expression on her face and a gun in her hands. She presses it to Noah’s head. “Otherwise, I might get trigger-happy.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
Fuck me.
I have no idea what the hell Katia thinks she’s doing, but it’s only making me want to punish her more.
That’s because you weren’t hard enough on her the past few times.
Letting her off the hook for not stopping London when she wanted to see her father was one thing.
I can even understand why she didn’t step in with Noah at the club since London insisted on taking care of things herself.
But bringing London here, to her ex-boyfriend’s house, is almost like Katia wanted me to rain down fire and brimstone.
It is taking every ounce of self-control I have not to drag her into the nearest back alley and unleash my fury.
My fingers itch with the desire to inflict pain.
I haven’t spent the past forty-five minutes telling myself to remain calm and collected just to have them barge in here and fuck it all up.
Any earlier fuzzy feelings I had toward London’s selfless diner offer quickly evaporate.
You didn’t honestly think she would stay put, did you? You know her better than that.
I should’ve known she’d get through to Katia, who has developed a soft spot for London, much to my chagrin.
