Page 36 of Hidden Obsession

Chapter Sixteen

Mason pulledup to the restaurant where he was meeting Travis and parked out front. He hadn’t wanted to leave Cleo, but this could be the break they needed to find the stalker. He knew she would be angry later when the news sunk in that he had gone behind her back and looked into Spears, but he couldn’t regret it. He’d prefer it to the compliant acceptance she had shown instead.

Her spirit had dimmed as soon as the man’s name had come up. He hated it, which was why the meeting with Travis was imperative. Cleo was meant for color and drinks with umbrellas in them. Not the fear and vulnerability that was her current mood.

His mind went back to the first time he had seen her at Alliance. She had been standing with her hand on her curvy hip, throwing some serious attitude at the flower delivery guy who had managed to snap the head on a lily with his carelessness. The poor kid had been blushing and stumbling over his words to apologize. She had managed to make him feel as if by doing better, he would please her.

Cleo had that effect on people, most especially men with her sexy curves, and the way she dressed all sweet and feminine but with more sex appeal than a fifties pin-up. He had stood inside the door watching until she looked up and saw him as she waved the kid, who was more than a little in love with her by then, away.

The flower print pencil skirt, pale pink sheer blouse with a huge bow that sat just above the swell of her breasts and the high pink fuck me heels had been enough to make him pant. Then she opened her mouth, and looking back he’d known she was the one for him.

He hadn’t acknowledged it at the time though. All his preconceived ideas about falling in love taking time and building a relationship had been wiped away, and he now recognized the moment for what it had been. Him seeing the other half of himself in her. She was the light to his dark, and he was damned if anyone would dim that light on his watch.

The thought made him more determined as he walked toward On The Border Mexican Grill. Moving through the doors, Mason scanned the lunchtime crowd for his friend. Seeing him in a booth near the back, he waved and made his way over.

Travis stood as he neared, “Hey, Mason. I was glad to get your call.”

Mason shook his friend’s hand and smiled as he seated himself. “Thanks for meeting me at such short notice.” Mason looked around the busy lunchtime service for a waitress. He was eager to get the pleasantries over so he could get back to Cleo. “Have you ordered?”

Travis shook his head, “No, I only just got here.”

Mason picked up the menu and scanned it, picking the first thing he saw. A young female waitress with blonde hair in a messy bun on top of her head and pretty girl next door vibe going on stopped beside them and he smiled at her as she asked if they were ready to order, with her eyes on Travis all the while.

Travis had a way with women, he attracted them like flies, and yet he very rarely took them up on their invitation. Tall, broad-shouldered with blond hair and blue eyes, Travis was like catnip to most women, but he blew it off like it was embarrassing somehow. Mason had often wondered if there was a heartbreak in his past that he never talked about.

“I’ll have a soda water and a pulled pork quesadilla, please.” He closed the menu and handed it to the waitress, who was still looking at Travis.

“I’ll have the same.” He didn’t seem to notice her which made Mason smile despite his impatience to get gone.

“What you smiling about?”

“That woman was practically laying it on a plate, and you didn’t give her the time of day.”

The surprise on Travis’ face was proof the man had no clue. “I didn’t notice.”

His face was severe and uninterested, and Mason was about to ask about it but decided not to. It wasn’t his business if he’d had his heart broken by some woman way back when. Everyone had their secrets, and some liked to keep it that way. He certainly respected his friend enough to give him that.

“So why the call to meet you?” Travis sat back in his chair and studied Mason.

“I need your help with this stalker case. Cleo is in danger, and I want whoever it is caught.”

Mason watched as Travis took that on board, his face a mask. His ability to blank his emotions was part of what made him an excellent agent. “You really do love this girl?”

Mason was taken aback by the personal nature of the comment. He and Travis shot the shit, but they didn’t usually talk emotions. He needed to be honest with his friend, though. He would be putting his ass on the line with this favor and Mason owed him that. “Yes, I do. She’s special, kind, beautiful, funny. She makes me feel things I never have before.”

Travis raised an eyebrow at that. “Wow, I hadn’t realized it was so serious.”

“It is, so you can see why I want her safe.” They paused as their drinks were set down, Mason offering the girl a smile of thanks.

“So what do you need from me?”

“I need you to check into the list of cults the government has information on. She ran from Arizona when she was a girl from a man named Jeffrey Spears.”

Travis leaned forward, his arms on the table. “You think he’s involved in the stalking?”

Mason sighed. “He is the best and only lead at this point.” The admission was sobering, knowing they were putting all their eggs in one basket with this and it could be a fatal mistake.

“Okay, give me the details, and I’ll look into it.”