Page 5 of Hidden Obsession

Mason reached out, taking the bag from her hand. “Emme and Shane agree you have a stalker. They want you with one of the team or me until this is figured out.”

“I can carry my bag, Mason.” She frowned at him as he walked to the door and stopped.

“I know, but if you need to run, I want your hands free.” Again, he reached into his back and took his gun from the holster.

“Oh!” She stayed behind him silently as he opened the door and checked the hallway before ushering her out. He kept her between him and the wall, protecting her at all times. He got to the car and opened her door, letting her slide inside as he placed the bag on her lap and rounded the hood and climbed inside. “Fasten your seatbelt.” He watched as she did just that, glaring at him the entire time.

“Happy?” It was clear her shock had worn off.

“As a clam.” He offered her a grin. Cleo crossed her arms as she tore her eyes from him.

He drove in silence, constantly checking for a tail and finding none. Stopping at his apartment building, he parked the car as close as he could to the entrance. “Stay there.”

Mason tried not to be distracted as she poked her tongue at him. He opened her door and walked her inside to the building’s elevator. It was about to close when a hand moved in to stop the door.

Mason felt himself bristle at the young man who tried to step inside. ”Get the next one.” He stepped forward and stopped the man from entering. He was pretty sure it was the grandson of the woman one floor below him, but he wasn’t about to take the chance.

“Seriously, dude?” The way he looked at Mason was almost comical.

“Seriously, dude.” Mason hit the close button, and the man pulled his hand back.

The elevator started to move, and he felt a moment of relief.

“That was rude.”

Cleo’s anger made him sigh and turn to her. “Excuse me for not taking chances with your safety, but I can’t get the image of you on the ground in a dark alley out of my mind.” He watched her pale at his harsh words.

The doors stopped, and Cleo remained silent, making him feel like a giant asshole. Taking her arm, he led her to his door. He would get her inside and then apologize.

He let them in and did his usual walkthrough, leaving her standing by the door as he did. He thought she would make herself comfortable, maybe throw some sass his way, but when he came back, she was still there by the door, looking unsure and frightened and he hated himself for that.

Without words, he opened his arms, and with a tiny hiccup, she dropped the bag and flew into his open arms. Burying her head in his neck, she sobbed, her tears soaking into his already wet shirt as he held her tightly to him and rocked her body. He hated that this had happened to her. He would find this motherfucker and string him up by his balls and then let the fucker rot in the desert.

But nothing had ever felt righter than the feel of her in his arms. It had taken this to push him into going after what he’d known in his heart was his from the minute she’d told him he looked like a Bond wannabe.

Now he had her, he wasn’t giving her up, and any fucker that got in his way would find out Mason wasn’t as mild-mannered as he seemed. Cleo might take a little persuading but if there was one thing Mason was, it was patient.