Not as far as I was concerned.
My anger rises. “I don’t think this is the time to be worried about discretion. If it’s serious enough to need surgery, he should be in a real hospital.”
Olivia places a hand on my arm. “He’s going to be fine, London. He’s in good hands.”
I shake Olivia’s hand off and step away. “I want to see him.”
“I don’t care how much leeway my son has given you,” Jack says. “If you don’t stop being a nuisance, I’ll do what I should’ve done when I first learned about you.”
“You’re not going to risk Mason’s wrath,” I reply. “Despite your claims, you need him.”
Shut the hell up, London. Have you forgotten who you’re dealing with?
Olivia steps between us and fixes her gaze on me. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“I don’t want to go on a fucking walk.” My eyes never leave Jack’s face. “I’m staying right here.”
I don’t trust Jack not to finish the job himself.
An ambush is a good way for Jack to get rid of Mason without getting his hands dirty, and with a war raging at our doorstep, it’s the perfect opportunity to lay the blame at the enemy’s feet.
You cannot take Jack on, and you know it. Keep your mouth shut and pray that Mason makes it out of this alive.
Olivia tugs on my arm again, and I look at her. “You’d be doing me a favor.”
After a brief pause, I reluctantly let Olivia lead me away.
We go back the way we came, and each step away from Mason feels harder than the last. When we make it to the living room, Olivia releases my arm and releases a shaky breath. “Listen, I know I said you were brave, but there’s a fine line between being brave and being stupid. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“If Mason was ambushed, Jack was behind it.”
Olivia presses one finger to each of her temples and rubs in slow, circular motions. “Look, our father is an asshole. He’s conniving and manipulative, but he wouldn’t kill Mason.”
“He tried to shoot him when we first got here.”
Olivia exhales. “He never would’ve hurt him. Trust me on this.”
“How can you—You sound so sure.”
Olivia runs a hand over her face. “I am. He’s punished us before, and once or twice, he’s taken it too far, but he wouldn’t seriously hurt us. In his own twisted way, he does love us.”
“I’m sorry if I’m finding it hard to believe that when he’s repeatedly threatened us, assaulted Mason, and is having my family watched.”
Olivia blows out another breath. “That’s fine. I understand why this is a hard pill to swallow, but I’m telling you our father’s bite is worse than his bark. At least when it comes to us.”
My stomach lurches as I stand up straighter. “We still shouldn’t leave Mason alone with him.”
"When Mason pulls through—”
“If he pulls through.” My voice catches on the last word. “How are you so sure?”
Olivia’s hand falls to her side. “Because my brother is an arrogant and annoying jackass when he wants to be, but he’s also stubborn and tough as nails. He’s going to want to hang on to punish whoever did this himself.”
I swallow. “I hope you’re right.”
Olivia steps closer to me. “I know this is all new to you, but you need to be smart about this.”
I nod.
