Page 28 of Protected by the Sheriff (Magnolia Falls #2)

Olivia

U pon waking the next morning, I realize I still have Mason’s cock in my mouth. Mason slowly sits up and looks down at his lap, where my head is still lying. My cheeks burn because I can’t believe I slept with him inside my mouth all night.

“Olivia, don’t you dare be embarrassed?” Mason pulls me into his lap, so my face is on his chest.

“I can’t believe I used you like that, Mason.”

“There’s nothing wrong with anything you and I do together, as long as we are both happy with it. I was more than happy to give you the comfort you needed last night.”

Giving him a curt nod, I climb from the bed. Grabbing some clothes from the closet and dresser, I get dressed, and Mason does the same.

“We are going to sit down and talk at breakfast, Liv. Savannah and Declan want to meet us at the diner.”

“Okay.” I am resolved to tell the story, but I don’t want to keep repeating it, so telling the people important to me all at the same time seems like the best plan.

When we arrive at The Greasy Skillet, the regular Gossip Squad is sitting drinking coffee at the table near the front, so we sit in the furthest booth closest to the back of the diner. Hopefully, their ears won’t hear what I have to say, although eventually it will be all over town, anyway.

When Savannah sees me, she wraps me in a tight hug. “Are you alright, Olivia? Mason told me what happened, and I wanted to come check on you last night, but he said you weren’t up for visitors.” Savannah gives Mason a glare as she says the words.

Hoping to fend off some of Savannah’s anger at Mason keeping her away, I try my best to defend him. “Van, I couldn’t even speak. I was in shock, and Mason took care of me. I’m so sorry I couldn’t see you last night.”

Vannah’s glare softens as she gives Mason another look. Declan steps forward to wrap me in a hug, which causes Mason to growl, “Mine.”

Declan chuckles. “I know she’s yours, brother. She’s going to be my little sister, and I just want to make sure she’s okay with what happened.”

Eventually we all sit down, and the waitress comes to take our order. My stomach turns at the thought of food, but I skipped lunch and supper last night, so I know I need to eat. Ordering a coffee and some toast with jam, I try to take a few bites slowly.

“Olivia, baby, you need to eat,” Mason says. He places some scrambled eggs on his fork and brings it to my mouth. I don’t want to eat but I like him taking care of me, so I take a bite without complaint.

Savannah and Declan sit on the opposite side of the booth eating their own breakfast. The more Savannah sees Mason feeding me and taking care of me, the softer her expression becomes.

My best friend is seeing what I see in Mason and realizing that he didn’t keep her from me last night.

He was giving me what I needed at the time.

Finally stuffed, I turn away from taking any more bites from Mason’s plate. “I’m ready to tell you guys what happened.”

“Go slow, Liv,” Mason commands.

“When I arrived at Branded, Knox was in my office behind my desk. I’m not sure what he was doing, but he told me since I chose Mason over him, I had to pay. He admitted working with his uncle to get me to sell the shop. We fought, and he knocked me on the head with his gun.”

Savannah gasps, her breath catching in her throat. I give her a reassuring smile, my eyes softening as Mason’s warm hand envelops mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in his lap. With gentle pressure, he rubs the back of my hand in slow, comforting circles, helping to ground me.

Declan keeps his eyes on mine and listens intently as I explain waking up at the old ski resort and Bryan and Knox both being there. I explain their plan to force me to sign the papers and that they were going to sell me.

“That means there’s a buyer out there somewhere waiting for his merchandise,” Declan tells Mason.

“If Knox and Bryan are involved in human trafficking, this deal is surely not an isolated incident. Their hands are likely stained with the blood and tears of countless victims.” Mason’s fist lands on the table, the thud echoing through the room.

His brows furrow as he scowls with a faraway look on his face.

I didn’t even think about Knox being involved in selling other human beings. What the fuck is wrong with me? That monster was my friend.

As I continue the story, tears well up in my eyes, and Mason pulls me closer until my head is on his shoulder.

Mason kisses the top of my head. “This is enough. Olivia, you need to rest. Remember, we have to talk with the police chief later. I don’t want you to work yourself up again.”

He places a soft kiss on my lips.

A sense of belonging washes over me as I realize Mason is where I belong. Having felt his comforting love wrap around me during this experience, the thought of life without him is unbearable.

Later that afternoon, we make our way to the police station, where I’m put in an interrogation room.

The police chief and his sergeant come in.

They allow Mason to sit beside me and hold my hand, and there is a recording device on the table in front of me, taking down everything I say to be used as evidence.

“We are still looking for Richards, and Knox’s death has been officially ruled as self-defense. Ms. Lane, you are free to go, but we will continue to send patrol cars to your home and business as we look for Richards. Until he is apprehended, you aren’t safe.”

A growl fills the room, and I realize it’s coming from Mason. He’s scowling at the chief and his lip is snarled. “If he comes near her, he’s a dead man,” Mason declares.

A shudder runs through my body, and ice flows through my veins as I think about what Richards and Knox had planned for me.

Then I think about the countless other women they’ve done this to in the past and my heart breaks.

I let Knox into my life, and he could have taken me at any moment.

The thought of being sold into an unknown fate sends shivers down my spine.

“Let’s go, Olivia,” Mason calls as he pulls me by the hand to the car.

“I need to go to work today. Piper and Hadley are expecting me.”

Mason turns on me. “There’s no way in hell you are going into that building alone today. Did you not hear that Richards is on the loose and running from the police? Your life is in danger, and I’ll be damned if you are going to risk it.”

“The thought of going back into Branded scares the hell out of me, Mason, but I have a responsibility to Piper and Hadley. Even if it’s just to let them know why we won’t be opening for a while.”

Mason’s look softens. “I will message them both and leave a note on the door for any customers. I’ll also ask Hadley to cancel any appointments.” He pulls me into a tight hug, and I can barely breathe. “I’m sorry. I just can’t lose you, Liv.”

Once we get back home, Kate, Mason’s mother, comes over. She stays the entire day and cooks us dinner. She places me on the couch and covers me with a blanket. “I’m here to cook and clean. You aren’t to do anything but eat and rest, darlin’.”

Mason barely leaves my sight and acts as if he can’t stop touching me.

Little touches on my shoulder, wrapping his arms around my waist, and kissing the top of my forehead become routine.

It’s obvious he’s on edge, and he spends the day on his phone, requesting updates from his deputies and the police department.

I overhear him talking to them about pulling CCTV cameras around town, looking at all the properties registered to Richards. At one point he yells into his phone, and it startles me.

Mason throws his phone onto the couch beside me, covers his mouth with both hands, and sighs in frustration. Then he falls to his knees in front of me, positioning himself between my thighs as I sit on the couch.

“Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Grabbing Mason by the hair, I bring his head to my chest as he wraps his arms around my waist.

This man, who is so organized and always has an air of authority, is on his knees in front of me. Little old me. After he holds me for what seems like several minutes, I pull him up off his knees, and he sits beside me, tugging me into his lap. He holds me tight, and I feel safe.

Full credit to his mother, she walks around the house, cleaning, cooking, and making tea and coffee.

Even when she walks into the living room and sees her son holding me on his lap on the couch, she doesn’t even look shocked.

In fact, she looks happy and gives me warm smiles.

Eventually Mason gets called to the office and leaves reluctantly.

Before he leaves, he arranges for Declan and Savannah and the kids to come over to keep his mom and I safe.

Before they arrive it’s just Kate and me.

Kate is the sweetest woman I know, and I can’t help wondering how her husband did her so dirty. It’s disgusting, and every time I think about it, I hate him for it, even though I’ve never met the man.

As she brings me another cup of herbal tea, I decide now is the time to address the elephant in the room. “I’m sorry we jumped into this so quickly. I really don’t mean any disrespect and would never move in with your son so fast normally.”

Kate chuckles. “Olivia, I know who my sons are, and I also know that it wasn’t up to you. When they see the person they want as a partner, they don’t take no for an answer.”

“But you must think so little of me moving in with a man I’ve not dated for long.” Or at all , I add, but I keep that to myself. “You must think I’m not a proper match for you son.”

Kate then finally has the nerve to look offended.

“Girl, hush your mouth. You are overthinking this. I am over the moon that Mason has found you, and I have the upmost respect for you. You are a strong, independent businesswoman, and I think you are perfect for Mason. Now you hush and calm yourself. I’m just happy both of my boys have found their true love.

Savannah is like the daughter I never had, and I think the world of that girl.

The fact that her best friend is the person my son finds peace with gives me peace, too. ”

She sits beside me and gently places her hand over mine. “Savannah disclosed little about your personal life but said your mom has shut down since losing your father. I don’t hold that against anyone. God knows I have no right to judge.”

“But I’m not someone who normally moves in with a man I hardly know,” I protest.

“I know this, darlin’. My husband ruined our family, and my boys’ trust has been eroded. That you are someone my Mason trusts, tells me all I need to know. The thing I want most in this world is for my sons to find love with people who deserve it.”

A lone tear cascades down my cheek. “I was so worried you would think I was easy moving in with Mason so quickly.”

“You think I don’t know who and what my sons are? I am proud of the men they’ve become, but life has made it hard for them to trust. I know without a doubt that if you’ve earned not just Mason’s trust but Declan’s too, that you are solid people.”

Kate pulls me in and gives me a hug that reminds me of my mother before she lost my father. It feels warm, like home, and once again reaffirms this is where I belong.