Good question.
I texted him when I left London.
Two hours later—nothing.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. The timing is curious. His fixation all this time, tracking me all the way to London: was that all so he could take my virginity? Mason’s interest in me never made sense. I don’t kill with a smile like Grace, nor am I effortlessly slim like Thea, who makes the rest of us look out of focus. I probably don’t even break into the top ten of his fan club.
Not that I have insecurities about my looks. Confidence wasnever my issue. I knew my place in a room and held my own reflection well. Until now. Until him.
Deep inside, I know I was never meant to be the kind of girl he noticed, let alone chased. I kept telling myself he’d get bored. But he didn’t.
And now that he’s found my weak spots and wedged himself in the gears of my mind…
“I guess, neither.” Jack’s voice breaks my chain of thought.
“What?” I ask, confused.
He motions toward the rearview mirror.
My head snaps to the back window, and my heart jump-starts into a flutter.
Mason is chasing us on his Ducati, weaving through the traffic.
27
MASON
Every fabricof logic dictates I let her go. Save her from the truths that will cut open her world and break us for good.
That would be the sane thing to do.
The right thing to do.
Lucky for me, I’m not known for doing the right thing. No point ruining my long-standing reputation now.
The Bentley coasts to a stop at the edge of the winding road. I ease in behind it and wait for her to appear, but it’s the driver’s door that opens.
Jack Romney steps out, all suit and gloom. He fastens the buttons on his jacket, then stalks toward me, squaring his shoulders. Reflexively, I draw my gun, as casual as a shrug, and let it hang over the handle. A move that chokes his rhythm, confident strides faltering into caution.
“I don’t mean any harm.” He stops two paces short, holding up his hands, dramatically.
“Fool me once…” I smirk.
“Just doing my job,” he snorts. “You should know that better than anyone.”
“What do you want?” I ask, straight to the point.
“Putting that away will be job one.” He nods toward my weapon. “You don’t want to scare our girl.”
“My girl,” I warn, my look carrying the rest of the threat.
Jack gives me a wise man’s stare, eyes twitching, as he waits for me to secure my weapon.
I do.
If he pulls one on me, I can always just run him down.
“If this is going to work, we’ll need to figure out a way to communicate effectively.” Jack sighs with annoyance, sensing my mood.
