That would give him an excuse to talk to Zeus and show the other man an olive branch of trust.Ever since the meeting where Noelle’s connection to Devlin had been revealed, Zeus had been keeping to himself completely.Granted, Mason didn’t completely trust him, but if he was going to stay on the team, something needed to be done.
Lincoln wasn’t firing him, and Zeus hadn’t quit.Which meant it was Mason’s duty to go digging and try to figure out where Zeus’ loyalties lay.
“Is something wrong?”Audrey asked worriedly.
Mason refocused himself.His arms started to move up—the urge to take her in his arms and hug and reassure her was that strong—but he stopped himself just in time.
“No, I was just thinking.I’ve got some ideas.If I come up with anything concrete, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay.”She nodded and sighed, her shoulders dropping.“I wish this wasn’t happening.”
Again, he felt the urge to move closer to her, to wrap his arms around her shoulders.
“Me, too.”Although even as he said the words, they didn’t feel completely true.It wasn’t that he wanted her in danger or that he liked that she was anxious or stressed… but he didn’t hate that it gave him an excuse to check on her.The attraction he still felt to her was strong because he was feeling protective, but surely that would even out, then go away soon.
Because he really needed to get past it.
“Mason, are you going to take me to my dad?”Rebecca asked, coming up and moving between him and Audrey.He stepped back to give himself more space because she had moved right into his.
“Ah, yes.Come on.”At the very least, he could separate her and Ashley, and that was something Audrey wouldn’t have to deal with.She didn’t seem to enjoy any level of conflict, much less the kind Ashley and Rebecca had when occupying the same space.“Let’s go see your dad.”
He turned to go, and the next thing he knew, she was tucked against him, her arm through his.
Mason sighed inwardly.
He really didn’t like being touched by people he didn’t know that well, but Rebecca was his boss’ daughter.It wasn’t that far back to the office.And since he didn’t have a coat, maybe having a bulwark on one side wasn’t the worst thing.
Glancing over his shoulder, he gave a little wave to Audrey and Ashley.Audrey still looked upset, and he was once again struck by the desire to go comfort her… but he needed to offload Rebecca onto her father, then he wanted to look into Devlin’s team.That was the best way he could help her for now.
“I’ll be in touch,” he said, and she nodded.
It felt wrong to leave her there, but what else was he supposed to do?
ChapterTwenty-Five
Audrey
Watching Mason exit her bakery with a dark-haired beauty on his arm made Audrey’s stomach do all sorts of unhappy flips.They made a good-looking couple.Just like he had with Yasmine.What was it about him that attracted model-gorgeous women?
Okay, so it wasn’t like they were a couple.Rebecca was married.Although getting divorced.
She needed to stop the green-eyed monster inside her because it was making her crazy.
“Don’t worry, there’s no way she’s going to get her hooks into him,” Ashley said from behind her.Audrey whirled around to face her friend/employee.Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Alexis peeking out from the back, just for a moment before she disappeared again.
“What?”Audrey stared at Ashley, who smiled at her as she leaned against the counter.If she was bothered by the showdown with her ex-best friend, it didn’t show on her face or in her demeanor.She looked like it was just another day; meanwhile, Audrey could still feel her hands trembling, her stomach still hurt, and her throat felt clogged.
Having Mason swinging in to save the day had made her want to throw herself into his arms.
“Rebecca.She’s not his type.”Ashley’s smile didn’t diminish, and she winked at Audrey.“You don’t have to worry about her.”
“Well, of course not.Why would I worry about her and Mason?”Audrey brushed away invisible crumbs from her apron as she went back around the counter, summoning up a smile and a wave for the small group in the corner who was now leaving.Goodness only knew what they’d thought about Rebecca’s meltdown.
“Uh huh.Well, you don’t have to, is all I’m saying.”
Was she that transparent?Maybe.Audrey could already feel the blush rising in her cheeks, and she ducked her head.
“I’m not… we’re not…” she muttered.
