Page 146 of Please Open Me
“Andyou,” he snapped, pushing her back far enough so he could turn around. “I need to have a word with—”
“I’m sorry.” She spoke through sobs as she once again pulled herself into him.
Sebastian’s chest collapsed as his jaw flexed. In his eyes, I could see the silent war he had with himself, like hewantedto hold onto his anger but couldn’t.
“I’m so sorry. Don’t leave,” she begged, tightening her grip on him.
Yeah, there was no way in fuck she was awake, not fully. And I prepared to peel her off of him and guide her back to the couch, but slowly, Sebastian wrapped his arms around her.
It was hesitant at first, awkward even, like he wasn’t sure how to do it anymore.
But then Mason let out a broken little sob, and something in Sebastian just… cracked.
His shoulders curved protectively around her, head dipping until his cheek rested in her messy hair. One of his hands splayed between her shoulder blades, the other coming up to cradle the back of her head like he was afraid she might shatter if he let go.
“I’m here, Princess,” he breathed, so soft I almost didn’t catch it. “I’m here.”
But that didn’t seem to help, and Mason cried harder.
“I love you, don’t leave.”
“I’m not leaving, princess. I promise,” he crooned, kissing the tip of her head.
What the fuck was going on?
Sebastian Castillo was a danger. He was the Sons of Christ’s new prophet. He’d killed over a hundred people with S.H.A.D.E., and now… he was picking Mason up so she could be that much closer.
He lifted her like she weighed nothing, and her arms looped around his neck as she buried her face under his jaw. He rocked her softly, like maybe if he moved gently enough, she wouldn’t break. Like that alone could fix it, and just a hint of the tension in Mason’s shoulders dropped.
No, what the actualfuckwas this?
This waswrong.
I needed him to be a monster and push her away, tell her she wasn’t good enough to carry his child, to send her to Dale so she could be sacrificed.
That was Sebastian’s job. And it wasmyjob to stop him.
“I love you. I missed you. Please, no more tears,” he peppered her temple in kisses, and she sniveled against him. “I hate seeing you sad, don’t do this.”
Mason let out a small, hiccupy sob and clung tighter, and Sebastian justheldher.
“Okay, I’m going to take you upstairs and tuck you into bed for a bit,” he said, now walking away as if I wasn’t even there.
“Don’t leave.” Mason held onto him so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
“I’m not leaving.” He sighed. “Since when are you so clingy?”
I could practically hear the smile in his voice, and I stood stunned at what I’d just seen. Unable to reconcile who I needed Sebastian to be with who he was with Mason.
Was this an act?
Wouldshebe okay if I submitted enough evidence to have him killed?
And, if I did have him killed, would it be justice? Would it be for the greater good of protecting others?
Or… was S.H.A.D.E. using me tojustifya murder because they were mad that he set himself free?
Chapter 35
