Page 39 of Hidden Obsession

His mind wanted to ask where Cleo was. If she was okay, but he refused to think of her as anything other than alive and well.

A figure came to lie beside him on the rooftop, and from the way he moved, he immediately recognized Travis.

“You didn’t think I would let you have all the fun, did you?”

If he was honest, he was glad to have his friend by his side, and without taking his eyes off the building below, he clapped him on the shoulder, before resuming his position.

“What’s the plan?”

Mason relayed Travis’ addition to Shane, Alex, James, and Nicholas who had eyes on the entrances of the main building. So far, none of them had reported any movement from inside.

“Without infrared, it’s impossible to know if they’re even in there.”

“That means those suckers need to make the first move, and if I was them, I would’ve already done it. Unless they’re waiting for nightfall.”

Mason hoped they used the second option, but the more time passed, the less sure he was there was anybody there to wait for. “Shane, we’re making a move now.”

His boss’ voice was calm on the other end of his earpiece. “Are you certain, Mason? There’s no way to know how many people are inside.”

“And we don’t know for sure Cleo’s life isn’t on the line as we speak.”

“All right, you take the lead, we’ll follow. Look alive team. It’s showtime.”

Mason started to move when Alex’s voice came on. “Wait, there’s movement, west entrance.”

Immediately, Mason and Travis ran to the other side of the rooftop to get a better vantage point. There was no need for more confirmation when he saw a flash of violet among the group of men. His body reacted and he was off the roof and down the stairs before he knew it, bursting onto the street at a run. When he finally reached the group, Nicholas and Alex had already blocked their route, and Shane covered them from the side.

Guns drawn, Mason and Travis blocked the back. “Spears, let her go, now!”

The group, consisting of three goons and Spears, that circled Cleo made him want to shoot them all between the eyes.

Cleo turned too, and his heart lurched when he saw her face. Pale and cold, there wasn’t anything there, as if she was empty, a walking shell of her former self.

Spears laughed, telling his followers to holster their weapons. From a distance, Mason saw civilians running, which meant the police would arrive soon. “Well, if it isn’t the boyfriend. How gentlemanly of you to come and see us off.”

Mason didn’t waver and stepped forward, his gun steadily on the man’s forehead. “I will certainly see you off. Be certain of it. Now, let Cleo go.”

Spears lifted his hands. “My dear boy, if Cleo wants to go with you, she’s a free woman.”

Not believing this, Mason gestured for her to come to him, but she stayed utterly immobile. “Baby, please come to me. Whatever that scumbag told you, it’s all lies.”

Something shone in her beautiful eyes before turning flat again. “It’s what we had between us that wasn’t real, Mason. Now, I’ve made my choice, and I’m going with Jeffrey. Family is more important than strangers.”

Even if he didn’t believe her words, they destroyed him nonetheless. Then she turned to Shane. “Sorry for putting you in a jamb, but I’m going now. I hope you find a replacement quickly.”

Shane shook his head. “Cleo, don’t do this.”

As her only answer, she turned to Spears and hooked her arm around his waist. Spears didn’t stop there and grabbed her jaw to make her kiss him.

Knowing her body as he did, her reaction was another hint she was far from compliant and being forced into this. Her words continued to ring in his head, and he shared a quick glance with Shane who frowned too. Was it a dismissal or a message?

When he finally released her, Spears’ glee was undeniable. “Now are you satisfied?”

It was a long shot, but he didn’t have a better idea. Mason holstered his gun and gestured the rest of the team to do the same. Spears and his men were about to leave, and Mason was running out of time. From a distance, he heard sirens. If he timed it right, the police could help save the day. “Wait. I promise to let Cleo go with you and I won’t try to see her again if she grants me one thing.”

Spears sneered. “This isn’t a negotiation.”

“No contact. I drop everything we have against you and yours. I’ll even tell my contact to erase your name from the government watch list. You know, the one mentions a cult in Arizona.”