Page 33 of Hidden Resolution

Mason pressed a hand to her lower back, hoping to provide support.

“I’m sorry. Who are you?” Zack asked, distracted and on the rough side of ragged.

“Shonda. I’m Erica’s best—” she began.

He cut her off with an impatient wave. “How the hell did you learn about her attack? Did the hospital call you?”

“Yes. She asked me to be her emergency contact since her parents are in Florida.”

In the face of Zack’s scowl, Shonda burst into tears. But when he moved to touch her shoulder, Mason cut him off with a nudge and pulled her into his arms.

“Don’t cry, love. She’s going to be fine. Promise.”

“How is it that you’re here?” she had the presence of mind to ask. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

There was no good answer. The truth was, he hadn’t planned on it either. He’d thought their goodbye this morning was final.

His brothers’ twin looks of astonishment grated. Honestly, one would believe he was celibate the way they gawked, as if showing up with a woman or offering comfort was outside his wheelhouse. It wasn’t as if compassion was a dreaded disease, right? If caring were communicable, Mason would’ve made damn sure to get inoculated long ago.

But holding Shonda soothed Mason in a way he hadn’t expected. A few hours earlier, he’d returned home feeling ancient and morose. He’d meant to check in at the office, but his shitty mood sapped his energy. Instead of unpacking, he’dcollapsed into bed for a nap, blaming his funk on jet lag. Hell, anything but the obvious. Yet seeing her so distraught twisted his insides.

Once Erica was out of danger, Mason would put real distance between them. Maybe he’d flip through his little black book, call up a worldly friend from his past, and grab a drink with her to remind himself there were plenty of women who didn’t rattle him. Yet Shonda’s warm body against his made the prospect feel hollow.

Unsettled, he eased back and guided her to the nearest chair.

“Anyone need coffee? I was about to hit the kiosk in the lobby,” Zack offered.

“I’ll go with you,” Dane chimed in.

“We’ll take coffee. One black, one with two creams, no sugar,” Mason said.

“You know how she takes hers?” Dane blurted, lacking tact.

Mason glared, relaying the clear warning that his little brother was about to get a beatdown. Zack, smart enough to catch the cue, grabbed Dane’s arm and hustled him from the room before Mason tore a strip from his ass.

Shaking off his irritation, he faced Shonda. “Are there other family members of Erica’s we should call?”

Her mouth formed a silent “oh, shit,” and she scrunched her eyes shut.

“Do you want me to do it?” he asked, gentler.

“No, I can. Thank you for reminding me. I…” She swallowed audibly. “I need to.”

Her resolve was a testament to her quiet strength. Stubborn pride refused to allow her to fall apart completely. No damsel-in-distress routine here, which was both admirable and gut-wrenching. It knocked the wind out of him every time.

When she left to make the call, Mason reflected on what it all meant. Funny, really. The minute he wanted to step up,she pulled away to stand on her own. Proof women were the contrary creatures he believed them to be and why it was best to keep things hassle-free. If those like Shonda couldn’t accept his terms, well… it was on them, not him.

He shoved down the warmth he’d experienced by spending time with her. So what if he enjoyed waking up with her curled against him? Such feelings eventually led to heartbreak. And odds were, she’d be the brokenhearted one, because he wasn’t built to give his whole self to anyone.

Ten minutes later, his brothers and Shonda returned, but they all sat in tense silence, lost in their own versions of hell.

For Zack and Shonda, it was worry.

For Mason, it was the creeping realization he might be in over his head.

An hour later, a man in surgical scrubs stepped into the waiting room. The doctor’s eyes immediately sought out Zack, who shot to his feet.

“How is she? When can I see her?” he asked.