Page 43 of Hidden Obsession

Chapter Nineteen

Mason groanedas he emerged from the darkness. It was the whooshing sound inside his skull that finally woke his brain cells. The tremendous effort it required to open his eyes made his head pound, but the pain pushed at the fog, clearing his thoughts.

The corrugated metal walls all around him and on the ceiling looked filthy, and the metal desk in the corner made him think of an abandoned office. There were no windows, only a door with a neon light above his head. Still woozy, he tried to move, and realized he was tied to a metal chair.

Where am I? What happened?Squeezing his eyes hard, he mentally kicked his mind until images rose, and the most disturbing of them all, Cleo. Bits and pieces started to come back until everything made sense, apart from the reason why he was bound to a chair.

The gravity of the situation made his adrenaline surge, finally clearing the dross from his mind. Testing his bonds, he found it futile, so he started analyzing his surroundings.

Whoever captured him had planned well. The metal-covered walls didn’t show any glaring weaknesses or openings as every inch had been riveted. Even the light above his head was bolted tight. The floor was not an option as it was smooth concrete.

Had Spears organized all this? And if he had, why kidnap him? And even worse, had he got Cleo too?

In one desperate attempt fueled with thoughts of Cleo unprotected and scared at the hands of that monster, Mason poured all of his brute force against the tape and rope, hoping for a miracle that would never come.

As he was considering shuffling to the wall and hoping that he could find a kink in the metal sharp enough to cut his ties, he heard a garage door open and close from beyond the walls. There wasn’t anything he could do but wait. He just hoped that Spears was alone, as it would give Mason an advantage. Maybe he could trick him into untying him. He only needed one free hand to take that psycho down. If he had been taken, it meant that Spears had some sort of plan. Maybe his friends got Cleo to safety. That single thought made him relax a little.

If Spears had Cleo, he would have killed him immediately and not bothered with him. That small hope sparked his determination. He knew every single person in the agency would never allow Cleo to trade herself for him, and they would lock her up for her own safety if need be. However, if the worst scenario had happened, he would do what it took to ensure Cleo survived.

Distant noises reverberated inside the space, although he didn’t know what they were. Bracing himself, Mason ignored his headache to solely focus on the target about to open the door. This was a life and death situation, his and most assuredly Cleo’s. He needed a way to turn the tables and subdue Spears, or better yet, kill him. Then he could save Cleo and get her safely away.

He heard footsteps, and when the door was finally unlocked and pushed open, Mason thought for a second he was still unconscious and in the throes of a nightmare when he saw the man entering.

Travis walked inside and closed the door behind him. “Glad you’re finally awake. How’s the head, my friend?”

Mason had trouble processing what was going on. His mind blanked and he couldn’t think. All he could do was watch his friend walk in, a look of concern on his face, without being able to utter a single syllable.

Travis came closer and touched his head where Mason had received that blow. “You have a hard skull, that’s for sure.”

The sting brought him back into the moment, even though he wasn’t sure if everything was real. That probably meant that the team knew where he had been taken and had found him. “Travis, quick. Untie me before Spears arrives.”

Despite the urgency in his tone, Travis only walked toward him and crouched. “You’re safe. Spears is nowhere near this place. But before I untie you, we need to talk.”

Mason opened his mouth before closing it again. “Talk? What about? What’s going on, Travis? Free me now!”

Travis looked pained as he shook his head. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that, not until we talk.” Once more, Mason pulled on his bonds to no avail, and Travis sighed. “Man, I know it’s uncomfortable, but they are necessary.”

Mason glanced around again, trying to make sense of the situation. “I don’t understand what’s going on, Travis.”

“Of course you don’t, and that’s why that entire situation went south so quickly. Damn man! If you’d seen the signs, but instead, you just went in another direction, bringing fucking psychos into the mix.”

Never before had he seen Travis in such pain and conflict as he paced the small office like a caged lion. On the other hand, Mason’s entire world seemed to be crumbling apart and he didn’t know why. Why was he talking about psychos? It took everything in him to focus on what Travis was saying when all he wanted to do was get free and run to Cleo. “Travis. What are you talking about? What do you want me to see?”

His blond friend turned to him, and there was hurt in his blue eyes. “Me! I want you to see me! Don’t you understand?”

Mason felt like he was caught in a dream as he tried to grasp what his friend was saying. “I see you, Travis. You’ve been my friend since the Secret Service.”

“You’ve been much more than a friend, Mason. You’ve been a lifesaver, and I don’t think you’ve seen or understand how much. I never told you, but I had just suffered the worst breakup of my life just before we met. One that pushed me to contemplate suicide.”

Mason stayed silent, his attention on Travis. “I didn’t know. Only that your parents died a couple of months after we started working together. You were a mess.”

Travis nodded, lost in his thoughts. “Yes. It was hell.” And then his eyes lightened a bit when he looked back at Mason. “But again, you offered me your full, unconditional support. I’ve rarely had that in my life. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer and resented me for entering my line of work, but you knew that. Through all those years, you were the only one who never judged me, stood beside me, defended me. I’ve never had that sort of support in my entire life.”

Mason nodded, although he sensed an unusual restlessness in Travis. In any other situation, he wouldn’t have worried, but being bound and vulnerable, it was another matter. “Travis, untie me.” Mason tried to keep his voice as low and calm as possible, but Travis seemed to be on a roll and ignored him.

He raked his hand through his blond hair before crouching in front of him once more, his hand on his shoulder. ”You were a godsend. The only person who stood by my side. You are a good man, Mason. An amazing friend.”

Waiting for a chance to convince Travis to free him without antagonizing him, Mason remained silent. Travis’ smile turned unsteady, his eyes filling when he cupped his jaw and leaned closer. “I know you told me over and over that it was the way you were, and I see that. The innate goodness and strength in you. Do you see yourself as I do?”