Page 47 of Hidden Resolution

His chest squeezed tight.

Witnessing a father love his daughter as fiercely as Luigi did Shonda had triggered a long-buried ache. Mason was only five when James Sharp walked out. No note. No warning. No goodbye. Dear ol’ Dad left his kid standing in the backyard, glove in hand, waiting for a bonding moment that never happened. The coward had snuck out as Mason waited over forty minutes. Crushed.

Anger surged, familiar and corrosive. What kind of man promised a game of catch, then ducked out the front door? The bastard didn’t deserve the space he’d ever taken up in Mason’s heart or mind. And if he ever dared show his face again, well…

The front door opened and closed behind him, signaling Luigi’s departure.

“Mason?” Shonda’s voice floated to him.

“What?” Eyes fixed on the woods beyond her property, the word fired out before he could pull it back.

A frown creased her brow. “Why are you suddenly upset?”

No way in hell could he admit the truth. Seeing her receive the love he never received opened a canyon inside him, and he didn’t know how to bridge the gap.

“Not a damn thing other than the fact someone’s trying to kill you. And although I have a million and one things I should be doing, I’m stuck here.”

She flinched.

Shit.

His ugliness echoed back in the worst possible way.

Her recoil was like a slap, and his regret was instantaneous. “Ah, love. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

Too late. She was having none of it. Her expression shuttered.

“I’d like you to go,” she said stiffly.

“You’re cracked in the head if you think I’m leaving you here alone with a potential killer on the loose.” He jabbed a finger toward her, emphasizing his point. “Not happening.”

“I won’t be alone. I’ll call Samuel to come stay.”

His blood turned to fire. “Who the hell is Samuel?”

“I’ve offered a solution. You’re free to hightail it back to your bachelor pad and carry on with a clear conscience. I don’t need you.”

Oh, but the idea of her calling another man caused sweat to break out on his upper lip and his hands to shake.

“You damn welldoneed me,” he bit out, unsure why he was fighting to stay when all he’d wanted minutes ago was distance. “The one thing we do know in this whole mess is that I’m the only one not trying to kill you.”

“Wrong.”

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You know one other person who isn’t trying to kill me. Your brother, Dane.”

His stomach flipped.

“You can ask if he’ll babysit me while you go handle your million and one things.”

He wasn’t mistaking her tone or the sneer wrapped in silk.

“Whatever. I’m the one trying to help here, but I didn’t sign up for you to bust my balls,” he replied, annoyed by her refusal to accept his apology.

“Really, Mason? You view the situation as me out to bust your balls? Not as you insulting me?” Her voice sharpened, making his heart thud. “Well, I’m so glad we cleared it all up. Call your brother, or I’ll get the number from Erica. Either way, I want you gone.” She pivoted and stormed toward the slider like she couldn’t get away fast enough.

Panic hugged his chest, and he gave chase.