Page 70 of Word to the Wise

He says it again and again. So many times it becomes white noise, and I barely hear him. And as much as I want to believe him, I’m struggling at this moment.

Carter is never going to let me go, and I’m not sure how much longer I can fight this.

22

Mason

Reed hasn’t stopped shakingsince seeing Carter in the alley. The tears have slowed, but her breaths are still unsteady. She’s curled against me on the couch in the office, and I’ve got one arm wrapped around her.

She’s physically here but distant in all the ways that count.

My hand rests over where hers sits on my thigh, and I’m trying to reassure her. But it’s a losing battle.

Carter got to her.

I swore that wouldn’t happen, and in a span of minutes, he found a way.

I heard Reed walking through the shop—smelled her floral, soapy scent wafting through the air. My client needed a breather, so I went to find her, and Lyla told me she went to take the trash out.

Something about that gave me a bad feeling, and gut instinct never lies.

Sage and his guys have been keeping tabs, but Carter is good at misdirection. He’s careful about when and where he’s spotted, and it’s been a few days since we’ve had a solid hit on his location.

I didn’t hear what Carter said to her before I stepped outside—but I heard enough.

She was shaking, trying to fight him off. He had the fucking nerve to put his hands on her when I promised myself he’d never touch her again.

My fists itched for release as I stared him in the eyes. I imagined myself caving his skull in on the brick wall behind him. It took everything in me to hold back. But I did—for her.

It’s all for her.

If I acted on impulse, he’d find a way to use it against me, so I couldn’t. I was raised to think like men like him. I know how it works. The man recording us from the end of the alley was his insurance that he’d walk away, and I had to let him.

Reed told me last night that she was thankful my dad buried the evidence that tied me to Gabe’s murder, and that reminder resonated when she held me back.

For her—I couldn’t do what I wanted. I had to be stronger in ways that took all my willpower.

Reed’s hand shakes as I lace my fingers through hers.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head.

I’m a piece of shit for even letting him get to her.

“It’s not your fault, Mason.” Reed blinks up at me, her long lashes fluttering. “I shouldn’t be putting this on you in the first place.”

“Reed.” I cup her jaw in my hand, and even if she’s shaking, her body relaxes at my touch. “I’m not taking on anything I don’t want to. You aren’t a burden. Not to me.”

“It’s just that I have a lot of baggage...” she trails off, her gaze dropping to her hand resting on my thigh. “I know I warned you before we did anything, but I understand if it’s different having to actually face it.”

Tipping her chin up, I meet her beautiful brown eyes. “Hand me all the baggage you need to, Sticks. I’ll carry anything you want if it’ll make your shoulders lighter.”

“You shouldn’t have to do that.”

“I don’t have to. Iwantto.”

She wets her lips, thinking over my comment as the door to the office swings open.

Sage was up front on the phone with Blaze after the confrontation in the alley, but he must be done. Because now he’s barreling into the office with Lyla at his side.