Page 30 of The Hero’s Bride (Unbreakable SEALs #2)

T halia and Vivienne stood in the bustling airport, protected by the push and shove of passengers by Iron and Mason’s size and stance.

“I’m going to miss you, but call me when you settle in.

I can’t wait to meet Tiny.” Vivienne squeezed her in a tight hug and kissed her cheek.

“Iron said we can plan a trip out to see you in a few weeks.” Her friend’s hair was swept up in a messy knot at the top of her head.

Gone was all pretense of the model and socialite.

Now there was simply a happy woman who had found peace.

“I would love that.” She gripped Vivienne’s arms and pulled her back. “I’m so happy Iron is in your life. That you’re happy and free.” She kept her tone low, so only Vivienne could hear her words.

“And I feel like I can finally breathe now that I know you’re safe.”

With one last quick embrace, she took a step back into Mason’s arms.

“Safe travels,” Iron said to them both before wrapping an arm around Vivienne and walking away from the airport security checkpoint.

Mason blew out a breath. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

The previous night, they’d sat by the bonfire Iron had built long after the others had gone to sleep.

She could tell something was on Mason’s mind and when he finally asked her if she was having second thoughts after meeting the other women, he told her she deserved the chance to bond with the others and stay close to her best friend.

Part of her wondered if it wasn’t Mason trying to free himself of her, but she squashed it down when she noticed the insecurity in his eyes.

He’d been hurt, too. If she was going to take one risk, it would be to see where her relationship with Mason would go.

She’d pressed her hands to his broad chest. “What I want most is to be where you are. The best part is I don’t need to choose between having you or friendships.

I can have both. Just because you live farther away doesn’t mean I can’t continue forming a connection with them.

But the connection I want most is the one I have with you, for as long as I can have it. ”

He’d crushed her against his chest, pulling her into his embrace.

After a moment, he released a long breath.

Had he been holding it as he awaited her answer?

It had struck her then that he’d grown up believing he wasn’t enough.

Maybe she was fooling herself. Making up reasons that things might work between them.

If that was the case though, it would be easy to choose Mason time and time again until he finally started to believe in his worth.

An announcement was broadcast over the airport for their terminal. “Our gate is boarding the flight.”

Mason smiled broadly. “Let’s go home.”

Her breath stilled at his words and emotion saturated her soul. Did she dare to hope?

*

“This is beautiful.” Thalia gripped Mason’s hand as they walked over the grounds of his condo complex. Swaying palms and lush vegetation framed the winding paths. “It looks like the resorts around Colima.”

He grinned. “I guess it does.” They walked past a large swimming pool and Mason gestured to the main door of one of the pristine white buildings.

Inside the lobby, colorful furniture in teal and aqua shades were grouped around long, modern electric fireplaces.

Coastal artwork hung on the walls and coral and blown glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

Although the condo building must cost a fortune, there was an easy, relaxed feel that appealed to Thalia.

A trio of kids in bathing suits and flip-flops ran through the lobby, and no one looked twice.

“Wow,” she breathed as she stepped into the elevator. “I see why you chose this place.”

“I love it here.” The elevator dinged. “And my neighbors are great, too.” He took out a set of keys and walked up to one of the doors. “Wait until you meet Mrs. Foster. She’s going to love you.”

“Hey! Red!” Mason turned around and smiled as a boy with shaggy blond hair came running down the hall. “You got back fast this time.” He skidded to a halt, looking from her to Mason.

“Uh, sorry. I’m Kenny.” The boy held out his hand and she took it.

“I’m Thalia.”

“My fiancée,” Mason said. She glanced in his direction but didn’t say anything, unsure if it was a slip of tongue or if there was still a reason to keep up the facade of being engaged.

“Holy shit!” The kid put both hands on his head. “Sorry, ah, wait until Gran hears this. She’s always saying how Red is too nice to never have women around. I guess now we know why!”

Mason smiled at the boy. “We’re going to put our things down, and then we’ll come over to grab Tiny.”

“Sure, yeah. That’s great. Want me to help you unpack?

Wait until you see the sweater Gran knitted for Tiny.

I keep telling her that reptiles are cold-blooded, and they don’t give a turkey about wearing clothes.

She knitted my boa a long sleeve it can crawl into and guess what?

The snake actually freaking likes it! Who knows, maybe Tiny will learn to like his clothes, but between you and me, the sweaters Gran knits are itchy as hell.

Don’t tell her I said that, though. Don’t want to hurt her feelings when she’s trying to do something nice. ”

Mason chuckled. “My lips are sealed. Tell your gran we’ll be over in a few.”

“Right! I forgot. Just come over when you’re ready.” The boy walked backwards all the way to his door and bumped into the frame. He quickly turned around, yelling, “Hey, Gran, you’re not gonna believe this!” just before slamming the door.

Mason laughed and shook his head. “Kenny is very enthusiastic. Doesn’t spend too much time staying still. He’s a good kid though.” He turned the key in the knob and pushed open the door.

As soon as they stepped inside, Thalia felt all her muscles relax.

Mason’s clean scent hung in the air, instantly putting her at ease.

He leaned down and kissed her gently. “Come on, I’ll show you around, not that it will take much time with only a few rooms, and we can drop these off in the bedroom,” he said gesturing to their bags.

“Sounds perfect.” Light wooden floors ran the length of the kitchen and into the living area.

Stone counters gleamed over the kitchen counter and the island, which divided the space from a dining room table and led to a teal-colored couch facing a large television.

They walked down the hall, and Mason showed her the bathroom and laundry room, before pausing outside one of the doors.

“This is where I keep Tiny. You’re going to think I’m out of my mind, but he needs a lot of space.” Mason reached out and gripped the door handle. She was momentarily mesmerized by the freckles running down the length of his corded arm.

Dragging her gaze away she looked up into deep blue eyes. “I love that you’ve given him everything he needs to be happy.”

Mason hesitated, then opened the door. An enclosure at least ten feet long and seven feet tall took up most of the space.

She stepped closer to peer inside. There was a pool in the corner of the tank, fed by a flowing rock wall.

Branches, rock ledges, and greenery stretched to the top of the tank and, at the side, there was a small door where the animal could crawl out and enter the bedroom.

There was a climbing structure with a hammock by the window where the reptile could sun himself during the day.

“This is incredible, Mason.” She rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He kissed her forehead and brought her into the main room. A large bed dominated the space, drawing her eye.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is your room. I can sleep wherever you feel most comfortable.”

“We’ve slept in the same bed since the hotel. It would be silly for you to sleep somewhere else when your bed is so huge.”

He dropped the luggage down and turned toward her, smoothing his hands over the length of her hair. “What do you say we go get Tiny and then come back here and I’ll make something for dinner.”

She nodded, but her stomach fluttered at the thought of meeting Mason’s neighbor. When they stepped out of the condo, Kenny immediately swung open the adjacent door. “I thought you guys were never gonna come.”

“Ah, that’s Kenny’s legendary patience showing.” Mason winked at her and led her to the door.

“Hey. No reason a kid can’t look out his condo door if he’s expecting company.” Kenny shrugged and tucked his hands into his front pockets.

Thalia giggled at his response and heard another voice. “Honey, is that them?”

A woman with pale white hair pulled back into a short ponytail approached them.

Her face was sun-kissed and freckled and although lines creased at the corners of her eyes and lips, her light expression made her appear youthful.

Although she was a grandmother, her appearance didn’t match what Thalia had built up in her mind.

“Mason! What a beauty you’ve brought home.” The slight weight of the woman’s hands on her arms combined with kind brown eyes infused Thalia with warmth. “Tiny, look who’s home!” The click of nails scratching over tile sounded behind the woman.

“Incoming!” Kenny yelled. Seconds later the giant lizard pushed past the older woman, ran out into the hall, and began scrambling up Mason’s jeans.

He laughed and reached down to hoist Tiny up to his chest. As if just noticing she was there, the lizard turned his golden eyes to Thalia, and tilted his head, observing her quietly.

She held the reptile’s gaze, and Tiny bobbed his head before inching closer to her, leaning off Mason’s shoulders.

She stepped closer to Mason and opened her arms, lifting the heavy animal.

It went willingly to her as she hugged it against her.

She felt the lizard sigh and drop its head onto her shoulder.

Perhaps he was just getting comfortable beneath her curtain of long hair, but it felt like it nuzzled her as a puff of breath from its nostrils tickled her neck.

“Wow, do you two know each other?” Mrs. Foster laughed.

“I guess we’re old acquaintances.” She grinned.

“I know you’re probably eager to get settled into the condo, but Kenny and I would love to have you over for dinner some night this week.”

“You have to come for lasagna night, and since you like reptiles, too. You can see my bedroom! I have three snakes and a bearded dragon.”

She grinned and it struck her that this could be her life. Going to sleep and waking with Mason. Visiting with the neighbors. Finding work that she enjoyed. A wave of longing swept over her and she glanced toward Mason, then back to Kenny. “I’d love to see your reptiles.”

“And dinner sound great, Mrs. Foster.” Mason placed his hand on her back. “Thanks for taking care of Tiny.”

“Anytime. And congratulations on your engagement. I’m so excited for you, young man.” Mrs. Foster and Kenny waved enthusiastically before they shut the door.

She grinned up at Mason as they walked across the hall. Tiny was in his arms with his head relaxed on his broad shoulder. The moment they entered the apartment, the sound of Mason’s phone ringing was audible. He paced over to the kitchen counter where he’d left it and glanced at the screen.

“Answer it,” she said tilting her chin toward the phone. She moved forward and picked up Tiny. He certainly wasn’t tiny anymore. The reptile’s tail stretched down to her knees as she held him against her chest. “I’ll just sit on the couch with this big guy.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, Tiny. I’ll be stealing her from you in a minute.”

Thalia walked over and sat down on the couch, when Mason picked up the phone. He was talking in low tones, then thanked someone for the news and hung up.

“That was my contact from Mexico. Estrada was arrested this morning and killed by another inmate an hour after his arrival in prison.”

“Oh my gosh.” She stood up, and Tiny rushed off her shoulder and onto the back of the couch.

“I can’t believe it. I was so afraid I’d be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life and now…

” Relief was palpable as it pumped through her veins.

Maybe it wasn’t right to feel so grateful for another’s death, but anyone who would kill an old man and buy a human to do unspeakable things didn’t deserve to live.

Mason swung her up into a hug and she peppered his face with kisses.

Although she had thoroughly enjoyed the times she and Mason had explored each other’s bodies, the subtle touches and tender hugs they shared impacted her just as much.

He placed her down on the floor and smiled.

“I’m going to see what’s in the kitchen.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d be gone, so I cleaned out the refrigerator.

” He skirted behind the island and opened the freezer.

After rummaging for a moment, he moved to the cabinets.

“We can also go out to eat or get delivery.”

“Could we stay here? I’d like to help you cook.”

“Sure thing.” He flashed her a smile. “I have pasta, sauce, and some frozen garlic bread.”

They stood in the kitchen together, talking as Mason boiled water and stirred sauce on the stove.

She took in the scene before her, and let the sense of safety and security surround her.

It was almost surreal how her life had changed over such a short period of time.

From sleeping on a hard floor, shivering with fear, and her stomach gnawing with hunger to having a soft mattress beneath her at night, protection, and a full belly.

What had changed most though was being reconnected with Mason.

Learning about his life and who he’d become.

Feeling at first a sense of camaraderie and gratitude that had quickly morphed into so much more.