Cool, wet skin presses against mine. “No, Evie. You’re okay. I’ve got you. Open your eyes.” The sight of Mason’s ocean bluegaze instantly makes me cry. He cradles me against his chest for a moment. “You’re okay. I’m right here beside you. You’re going to be fine, but I need you to go with Alex a minute.”
“No.” I feel safe in his arms, but he hands me over to Alex, who holds me close and carries me out of the pool. I see why when I look back. Mason is beating the shit out of whoever tried to drown me. Blood mixes with the water and I close my eyes against the childhood flashbacks.
Alex places me on his lap and wraps a towel around my shoulders, consoling me while I cry. “It’s over, Everly. Everything will be okay.” Mason drags the bloody, unconscious man to the shore and signals to Alex. “Come on, honey. You need to see if you recognize who attacked you.”
My legs are weak and shaky as I’m lead closer to the man who’s been stalking me. “Is he dead?” Please say Mason didn’t kill him. He’ll go to prison.
“No, but he’ll wish he was,” Mason says, taking my hand and leading me closer.
My chest rises on a gasp, sending a sharp pain through my lungs. “Danny.”
“Who is he, Evie?” Mason asks.
“Danny Fennel, a counselor at Building Tomorrow’s Child. You met him for a second at Matty’s birthday party. He asked me out a few times.” I stare at his lifeless form in disbelief. “Why?”
“Cops are on their way,” Parker says, jogging up to join us. “You okay, Everly?”
No, I’m not okay. Right now I’m really, really pissed. This asshole has attacked me twice, just because I wouldn’t date him?
“Whoa!” Parker yells when I kick Danny in the ribs as hard as I can. Not the smartest move when you’re wearing water shoes. Parker laughs, and Mason scoops me up before I can kick again.
“That’s enough. You’ll hurt yourself. The cops are coming,” Mason warns.
Less than an hour later, Danny has been arrested and I’m sitting on a lounge chair, surrounded by the Reed brothers. Mason kisses my forehead and murmurs, “Let’s get you home.”
“No, I’m good. I don’t want to let him ruin another day. Iwant to go to the carnival with you tonight. He’s not making me miss out on a funnel cake.”
Alex chuckles and kisses my cheek before getting to his feet. “This one’s a keeper, Mason.” He turns to Parker. “Let’s leave them alone.”
My gaze alternates between them. “Thank you so much. Both of you.”
“Anytime, Everly,” Parker replies with a grin. “You’re Mason’s girl. You’re one of us. Better get used to it.”
They walk off, leaving us alone. “You saved me,” I murmur, laying a palm against Mason’s cheek.
“I never should’ve left you alone.”
“You can’t be with me every minute.”
“We’ll see about that.” He plants a soft kiss on my lips. “You’re shaking. Are you cold?”
“No, just need to sit down a minute.” The scrape of plastic on concrete makes me wince as he pulls a two person lounger into the shade.
“Come here.”
I take his hand and stretch out beside him, resting my head on his shoulder. I must be exhausted because it’s late afternoon when I wake. Mason’s covered me with a beach towel, and he sits a few feet away, talking on his phone.
He’s breathtaking with the sun pouring over his shoulders, highlighting every line and muscle of that incredibly toned body. How the hell did I get lucky enough to win the affection of such a man? A wide smile appears when he sees me staring at him, and he ends his call. “Hey, sleepyhead. Feeling better?”
“Much. What did I miss?”
I hear Calliope music in the air as he answers, “Not a thing. The carnival is just starting. Do you feel up to it?”
“Absolutely. I need to grab a shower and dress. My stuff is in a locker.” I hop up and stretch my sore muscles. “Meet you back here?”
I’m presented with a look that says I’m one twist short of a slinky. “You aren’t going anywhere without me.”
“Danny’s in jail. It’s over.”
