Page 24 of Freed By Fire
I’m tempted to throw the car door open and run out, but I know there’s no point.
There’s nowhere far enough to keep me safe—to keepussafe, and Mason isn’t the one I want to hide from.
Even if the blank look on his face is setting off alarms in my head.
I know he’s not buying my story, but I can’t figure out a way to make it more convincing.
I still have no idea how I managed to shake Katia even while wearing my ridiculous disguise, but I had to see it for myself.
The abortion clinic I was visiting could be the answer to our more immediate problem, but I can’t bring myself to say it.
Not yet.
Before I know it, we’re pulling up to the estate, and Mason still hasn’t said much. Once we pull up outside the main door, he throws the door open and holds out a hand. I reach for him, and he pulls me out of the car with a little more force than necessary. And then, I’m being pulled up the stairs behind Mason, and I have to sprint to keep up.
“Slow down.”
Mason doesn’t respond and continues pulling me down the hallway.
At the foot of the stairs, he spares me a look and punches in a code. Using his free hand, he wrenches the door open, and I stumble into the darkness behind him. My chest tightens as we move deeper into the shadows.
Soon enough, a bright light floods the area, and I realize we’re in the basement.
I gasp when my eyes land on Noah; his head is slumped forward. He stiffens when he hears me and lifts his gaze, staring at me through his good eye. I pry my fingers from Mason’s grasp and swallow. Noah sits up straighter, his eyes never leaving my face, and we stare at each other.
“I don’t like it when people lie to me,” Mason says from somewhere to my right. My gaze snaps to his, but he isn’t looking at me. He’s circling Noah, having rolled his sleeves to his elbows. He comes to a stop in front of him and gives me another look.
No amount of desperate and fervent wishing will make Mason believe me.
I need to find another way to get through to him.
I force myself to take one step, then another. “Mason, you know me. You know I wouldn’t betray you.”
“Lying is a form of betrayal, Pigeon.”
My mouth is dry. “Not if it’s for the right reasons.”
Mason throws his head back and lets out a low, humorless laugh. “So, by that logic, Noah shouldn’t be punished.”
“That’s different.”
Mason stops laughing and looks at me. It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to confess everything.
“Is it different because you have better reasons, or because we’re fucking?”
I meet his gaze evenly. “I will not dignify that with a response.”
Do not let him bait you. It isn’t just your ass or Olivia’s on the line. How do you think he’ll feel if he finds out his right-hand man has been helping? You and Olivia might be spared the brunt of his anger, but Carlisle won’t. And telling him about the baby won’t make any of this better either, not now.
Mason places his thumb and index finger under my chin, forcing me to hold still. “You’ll do what I tell you, Pigeon, and you’d better hope I’m satisfied with your answer.”
I tell myself not to look away. “And if you’re not?”
Mason steps closer, so his smell washes over me, and his voice drops an octave. “Then you try again.”
“This is ridiculous.” I try to wrench free, but Mason won’t let go. “You know how crazy this all is.”
“Crazy is one word for it.”
