Mason takes another step, and I don’t move. “You don’t seem to mind.”
“I do. I just don’t think now is the time to push it.”
Mason covers the distance between us and crushes me to him. “You’re right. I’ve got far better uses for our time.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him. “We’re not done talking about this.”
Mason lowers his head. “I’ve got other ways to convince you. Sooner or later, you’ll see things my way.”
The breath leaves my body as he hoists me over his shoulders and slaps my ass.
He sets me down on the bed, silencing my protest with a searing hot kiss that makes me forget what I wanted to say.
Chapter Three
Mason
“Are you going to need backup?”
Katia stiffens and levels me with a look. “I can handle her.”
I down the rest of my drink. “At least she’ll keep you entertained.”
Katia mutters something unintelligible. I step out from behind the desk and stroll past her. In the doorway, I pause to spare her a glance over my shoulder. Katia turns to face me, and a long moment passes when neither of us says anything.
Her face softens. “It’s bad, isn’t it? The warehouse thing?”
“Not as bad as not knowing who the enemy is.”
Katia’s expression darkens. “I should be out there, hunting people down, and making them give up information. I’m more useful that way.”
I shake my head. “I need you here.”
“To protect her.” There is an undercurrent of anger in Katia’s voice. “She doesn’t even appreciate what you’re doing for her. Yesterday, she tried to get me to look the other way by telling me that I want to.”
“She wanted to get to her family.”
Katia’s eyes move steadily over my face. “I think you need to keep an eye on her and make sure you know where her loyalties lie.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Are you questioning her loyalty or her motives?”
“Both,” Katia replies without preamble. “You already know how I feel about this whole thing.”
“I’m aware,” I reply tightly. “You’re also aware of how important she is to me. I’m trusting you to keep her safe. Is that a problem?”
I know it’s selfish of me to force this on her, but other than Carlisle, she’s the only one I trust with London.
In the short amount of time I’ve known London, she’s come to mean a lot to me, and I can’t be fighting a war on the front lines while worrying about her.
Keeping her safe isn’t negotiable.
But if Katia can’t be the one to do that, I’ll find someone else who can.
Katia’s expression turns impassive again as she straightens her back. “I know how to do my job.”
I give her another meaningful look. “Good. Get it done then.”
With that, I spin on my heel and stride out of the office. My father is waiting by the front door in a crisp custom Armani suit, not a hair out of place. He glances up when he sees me, and his eyes move over me steadily, leaving a trail of unease in his wake.
