Page 23 of Freed By Fire
Whatever explanation she has, it had better be good because I’ve gone through several scenarios in my head, and I don’t like any of them.
Chapter Five
London
“It really isn’t what it looks like,” I stammer.
Mason leans back against the leather seats, and his eyes move over my face, leaving a trail of unease in their wake. “So you said.”
Heart thundering in my ears, I fold my arms over my chest, working to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Well, it isn’t. I’m telling you the truth.”
Except we both know I’m omitting key parts.
Just tell him the truth. He’ll be mad, but he’ll get over it. Mason will see reason; he has to.
But I’ve only ever seen that look on his face when he’s dealing with his enemies. I know he would never hurt me, but I can’t shake the tightness in my chest. Mason isn’t going to lay a finger on me, but it doesn’t mean he can’t find other ways to make me break, especially if he thinks it affects the empire.
On impulse, my hands move to my stomach, and I resist the urge to stroke it.
Now isn’t the time.
Mason levels me with another look. “You’re testing my patience, London. And the longer you sit there, the worse it will be when you tell me.”
My lips part, and I drop my hands to my sides.
I can’t give him the answers he wants, but I can give him something else.
Suddenly, it’s on the tip of my tongue, every last sordid detail, but then I picture Olivia’s crestfallen face.
I know Mason won’t hurt his sister either, but he can make life unpleasant, starting with taking away what little freedom she has left.
Olivia has already sacrificed a lot.
She’s a Payne. What’s the worst he can do? Have someone follow her around and restrict her movements? It could be a lot worse than that.
My mind races with possibilities, but the longer I sit there underneath Mason’s watchful gaze, the worse I feel. I desperately want to alleviate the burden and bring Mason into the loop, if only so I don’t feel like I’m betraying him, but I’m also still rebelling against the idea of selling out Olivia.
She might be Mason’s sister, but over the past few weeks, in a sea of chaos and confusion, she’s given me a purpose. On the days when the voices of doubt and suspicion in my head are almost too loud for me to ignore, working on the plan with Olivia has helped me keep my head above water.
It's one of the few things keeping me from losing my sanity altogether.
Slowly, I clear my throat and place my hands in my lap. “I was trying to help.”
Mason’s expression remains impassive.
“I was trying to help by digging up information. I didn’t want anyone to recognize me, so I figured if I wore a disguise, I was more likely to get some answers.”
“I see.”
“I thought they’d talk to me if they thought I worked at your club or something,” I add. “You know how men are.”
Mason grunts.
“I know I shouldn’t have snuck out, but I was also hoping I’d find out if they were planning to go after my family again to get to me,” I finish. “My parents still won’t take my calls.”
Mason stares at me. “Once things are a bit more stable, we can arrange for you to go to them.”
I shake my head. “They’re probably being watched, and I don’t want to risk anyone recognizing me.”
