Page 10 of Hidden Obsession

Her flushed face and the almost panic-stricken look on her face made him want to hold her and never let go. “I can’t. This isn’t me, Mason. I don’t flap. I’m in control. I’m organized. I have ways of doing things, so everything runs like clockwork and this man, this stalker, is ruining that.”

He realized she was hanging on by a thread. “What changed between us leaving my place and getting here? You were calm at home, what happened?”

“That was just us. You don’t expect anything from me. Here I’m organized Cleo. I have the paperwork you want before you want it. I have lunch ready. I handle my business. I haven’t done that this morning and now everyone will know this is getting to me.” The distress she was feeling was evident on her face.

“Right, give me a list of everyone’s order, and I’ll go get the coffees while you take a minute to calm down and get your game face on.”

“But...”

“Let me help you, Cleo.” He kept his tone gentle as he caught her eye. “Please.”

“Okay, thank you.”

He felt her shoulders relax under his hands. Giving them a gentle squeeze, he let go and waited while she made a list and tried to hand him some cash. “I got it.” And he left the office.

Mason jogged to the closest coffee house down the block and had the order filled, adding bagels and muffins for good measure. He carried them back into Alliance and found a much calmer and more in control Cleo behind her desk. She offered him a grateful smile, which he felt in his dick, and then answered the phone as it rang.

Mason carried the coffee and food into the conference room where Shane was talking to Malco and Alex. Both men looked up as he entered and nodded.

Shane frowned. “How’s Cleo?”

“She’s good, holding it together well all things considered.” He didn’t add anything about her meltdown. If she needed people to see her as strong, then he would help her do that.

“She’s a tough cookie, would make a fine operative but I think if we lost her as office admin, the place might fall apart. A good office manager is harder to find than a good operative if you ask me.”

“Yeah, she’s fantastic at her job.” It was a clear affirmation. “Are the others joining us to go over the case?”

“We figured we’d get you to lead and Malco and Alex can offer support. We can draft others in as and when we need them, but we have a few cases at critical stages right now so it’s going to be a bit of a juggle. Honestly though, Mason, this is your bag. Close protection is what you do best, and between us all we’ll find this asshole.”

“Fine by me.”

Emme walked in the room then shaking her head. “Cleo amazes me. She’s always so calm and collected.” His boss went to sit beside Shane. Mason found it interesting Cleo had only shown her distress to him. It gave him hope that maybe he could talk her into taking things further and giving them a chance.

Mason spent the next hour telling them everything he knew about the case including everything he and Cleo had discussed regarding it. Alex was going to look into any cameras around the places Cleo frequented to see if he could spot anyone who seemed to be following her. Malco was going to look into her past boyfriends to see if anything popped, and Mason would be her shadow.

Shane looked at Mason. “What about her home? Are we going to get some cameras up?”

“Yes, I’d like to. Does Kingsley have time?”

“Yes, we can pull him off his case for a few hours. Is Cleo going to stay with you or are you going to stay at her place?” From the slight smile on his lips he could tell Shane’s inquiry wasn’t only for professional reasons.

“I’ll speak to her, but I prefer my place. It has better security and more room but let me see what she says.”

“She could always stay with Emme and me for a few weeks until this is sorted.” Shane seemed to be taunting him.

“No, she stays with me.” Mason’s expression made it clear there was no room for argument.

Shane’s eyes shot to him with surprise at his tone and he lifted his chin as he crossed his arms over his chest and took his time to assess Mason. “Like that is it?”

“Not yet.” Mason made it clear where he was headed if she would let him. “Although Cleo may take some convincing.” This time he grinned.

“Yeah, good luck with that.” Shane chuckled, and Mason felt himself relax. He loved this job and would have hated to jeopardize it.

“Lucky fucker.” Malco shook his head with a smile which Mason returned.

“Yeah, well, it’s far from certain.”

“Well, the man that catches Cleo will be a lucky one, and he better be prepared to work his ass off because something tells me she’ll be a tough nut to crack.” Emme beamed at him, her features softening.

“Bit like me, hey, baby.” Shane gave wink that made Emme blush.

“Nothing like you, you big softie.” She laughed as she stood and kissed his cheek before leaving the room.

The others followed, and Mason went to his office to make a start on all the things he needed to get done including starting some searches. It was around eleven-thirty when he heard a scream from reception that made his blood turn to ice.