I shrink back from his words. “Just give them what they want, and he’ll let you go.”
“Come on. I know you’re not that stupid. We both know what happens once he has what he wants. Nobody likes loose ends, and I’m as loose as they come. Who’s to say I won’t try to write another story if he lets me go?”
“I’m sure they’ll figure out a way to keep you quiet.”
Ryder blinks, and a flicker of something moves across his face. “This only ends one way. I just hope Noah and my father find enough of me to be buried.”
“Mason won’t kill you.”
“I’d ask you to vouch for me, but I’m not sure what good it’ll do,” Ryder continues. “Judging by the look on your face, I doubt you’re much better off than I am, and he’ll get tired of you, too. You might have a different set of chains on now, but it won’t be long until you become a problem.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“You could help me get out. I’m sure Noah could convince my father to pull a few strings to keep you safe. It’s better thanthe alternative. You’re a walking liability here, so this would be better. All you have to do—”
I’m across the room before he finishes talking.
I give him a violent shake. “You really need to learn how to read the room.”
Ryder draws his lips back and smiles at me. “Got your attention, didn’t it?”
I give him another shake and think past the roaring in my ears. “And what makes you think that’s a good thing?”
“I know desperation when I see it.”
“Like I said, you don’t know a damn thing.”
Without waiting for a reply, I storm past Katia and up the stairs.
Mason is waiting for me in the room when I get back, and I pause in the doorway, drinking him in. Then I slam the door shut, cross over to him, and pull him in for a kiss.
Mason’s hands move from his side, and suddenly he’s drawing back, his eyes stormy. “What are you doing?”
“We both need this.” I reach for him, but he leans back again. “Why are you stopping me?”
Mason shakes his head. “Not like this.”
“So, it’s okay for you to use sex whenever you want, and I can’t?”
“You’re not wired the way I am, London. The only reason you want me right now is because you’re afraid.”
“So?”
“I am not going to do this.” Mason’s frustration is evident. “We need to talk about the baby.”
Ice settles in my veins. “No.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
“You’re going to tell me that because of what Jennifer said I need to give them up until everything blows over,” I say.
“I don’t want this either, but with everything we’ve learned lately…we don’t have a choice—”
“Like hell we don’t,” I interrupt. “You’ve had one foot out the door ever since you found out, so don’t pretend like you aren’t thrilled to have one less problem to worry about.”
“Don’t pretend you give a fuck about how I feel,” Mason glowers. “You should’ve told me when you had the chance. We could’ve prepared for this.”
“And that’s what it’ll always come back to, isn’t it? You’re never going to stop bringing it up. I already told you that I did what I thought was right to protectmybaby—”
