Chapter 3: Chapter 3

MASON

I took a look around. The sun’s rays pierced through the gaps in the boarded-up windows. The air was thick with a nauseating smell of decay, a stark contrast to the cheerful chirping of birds outside.

I had a better view of the warehouse than the last time I was here…but there was nothing to discover. My phone had disappeared, just like Jack’s body, as if it had evaporated into thin air.

“Ezra, see anything?” I called out.

My voice echoed in the hollow warehouse. The crunch of Ezra’s footsteps on the debris-littered floor reached my ears. He came to a halt next to me, his face mirroring my own worry.

“Nothing,” I sighed. “Just as I thought.”

I squatted down, my hand brushing over the coarse concrete. There were no smudge marks, no drag trails—nothing to suggest that Jack had somehow escaped. All that was left was a dried, dark stain that hinted at a brutal end.

“He wasn’t moving,” I said through gritted teeth. “Whoever was here last night, they returned to finish the job. He didn’t walk out of here on his own… He couldn’t have.”

Ezra paused, a glimmer of doubt crossing his face. “Maybe he did,” he suggested. “He was shot, yes, but we can’t be certain…”

“We didn’t have the luxury of time to be certain,” I interrupted him.

Frustration was eating at me. I had my opportunity…and someone had stolen it from me. The silence was suffocating, a constant reminder of my failure to take him out when I had the chance.

I glanced around the desolate interior and straightened up with a sigh. “There’s nothing here. We’re wasting our time. Let’s go.”

I exited the warehouse, a growing sense of dissatisfaction settling in. The cold, damp air of the warehouse clung to me as we stepped outside. I shivered, not just from the cold, but from the unease brewing within me.

My phone was still missing, and the thought of it in someone else’s hands sent a chill down my spine. It had been two days since I’d last spoken to Penelope, and that was gnawing at me too.

Ezra held the car door open for me, a gentlemanly gesture as always. I slid into the backseat, frustrated that I was leaving empty-handed.

“Where to, Mr. Knight?” Ezra asked as we drove away from the warehouse.

“Back to the hotel,” I responded. “I need to gather my things before we leave.”

As we drove, I stared out the window, lost in my thoughts. I had come here with a single purpose, to seek revenge for my family. But I hadn’t been able to execute my plan.

The man who had caused them pain had paid the ultimate price, but not by my hand. It wasn’t the closure I had yearned for.

The soft, velvet chairs of the hotel bar enveloped me as I sat nursing my second glass of scotch on the rocks. Ezra was at the front desk, checking us out and loading our luggage into the rental car.

A waiter approached, placing a glass in front of me.

“I didn’t order that,” I said, looking at him in confusion.

“It’s from the lady over there,” the waiter replied, pointing toward a table across the room.

I followed his gaze and saw a woman sitting alone, her lips a vibrant red. She caught our attention and waved, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Tell her thanks, but no thanks,” I responded.

The bartender seemed taken aback by my reaction. The woman was undeniably beautiful, a fact most men would readily acknowledge. But my mind was elsewhere.

I glanced down at the paperwork spread out before me, attempting to pass the time by going over the details. But then I felt someone next to me, and a glass of scotch appeared on the bar.

“You sent the drink back,” a voice said. “I don’t drink scotch, and it’s already paid for. You might as well have it.”

I looked up, locking eyes with a woman with sparkling green eyes in the dim bar light. She had a tan and straight, shoulder-length brown hair parted in the middle.

“I’m sorry, but I’m…,” I started, unsure of how to continue.

“Married?” she asked, a playful smile spreading across her lips.

I shook my head, my thoughts drifting to Jamie. “No, I’m not married.”

She asked, “In a relationship then?” Her gaze was steady on mine. “You must be. The good ones are always taken.” Her face was full of anticipation as she waited for my response.

A relationship would mean having someone to share my life with, someone to hold at night, someone to dine with and be intimate with. But I didn’t have that… I hadn’t had that in years.

“No, I’m not in a relationship,” I admitted, pulling my scotch glass closer and taking a sip. It had been a while since I’d indulged in this much alcohol, but given the recent events, I doubted I could get through them without a drink.

“I’m Julianna,” she introduced herself, sliding into the seat next to me with her drink. She was sipping a martini, which seemed fitting. She struck me as the martini type. Elegant and refined.

“Mason Knight,” I responded quietly. Engaging in conversation with an attractive woman felt alien to me now. I was rusty. I was guarded.

She smiled, revealing a flawless set of white teeth. “Strong name. I like that,” she said. “So, Mason Knight, what brings you to Toronto?” Her eyes were alight with curiosity.

“Business.” I tried to sound nonchalant. “I’m heading back to New York soon. What about you?”

“Same. Only I wish I was going home today.” Her voice held a hint of disappointment. “I’m here on business with my sixty-year-old boss. He’s a little too hands on, if you catch my drift.”

“Where’s home?” I asked, intrigued.

“Chicago,” she answered. “My parents run a veterinary clinic there. They wanted me to join the family business, but I’m a rebel. Kind of regretting that now…animals seem like the safer option.” She laughed. “Look at me, spilling my life story. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay,” I reassured her, trying to sound genuine. “I’m surprised though. People are usually so guarded, especially women.”

She laughed, her eyes sparkling.

“Well maybe you’re just easy to talk to, Mason,” she said, winking at me, her flirtation as bold as the red lipstick she wore.

~Easy to talk to?~ I thought. ~That’s a laugh.~

“Are you flirting with me, Julianna?” I asked, a playful smirk on my face.

“I’m certainly giving it my best shot, Mason.” She bit her lower lip seductively, her gaze locked on mine.

I finished my drink and set the glass on the bar.

***

As we made our way down the hallway to her room, I couldn’t help but admire her long, bronzed legs and the way her stiletto heels sank into the plush carpet.

She glanced back at me with a smile.

I returned the smile, a strange sense of anticipation bubbling within me.

We stopped outside her room, and she unlocked the door with her keycard.

She stepped inside, and I lingered at the doorway, unsure of whether to follow.

Julianna set her bag on the bed and turned to look at me, surprised to see me still standing at the door.

“Are you coming in?”

“I can’t,” I found myself saying, my senses returning.

She moved closer to the door, wrapping her arms around my neck, her body pressing against mine.

“Why not?” Her voice was low and enticing. “I thought you wanted this?”

The old me wouldn’t have hesitated to step into that room. The old me would have had a different woman for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without a second thought.

But things had changed. It had been two years since the accident, and I still couldn’t bring myself to be with anyone else.

“I’m engaged,” I confessed, and she slowly unwrapped her arms from around my neck. “I lied when I said I was single.”

“Oh,” she responded, seeming a bit taken aback. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by the lie. Men always seem to lie to me. I’m okay to have a little fun, if you are? Your fiancée will never know.”

She was trying to lure me to cheat. I knew it was wrong, but I was drunk and lonely. I had been alone for two years, and there was little hope that Jamie would ever wake up.

“But I have to… I apologize,” I uttered, spinning on my heel to retreat down the hallway.

It was painfully obvious that I hadn’t let go of Jamie. I couldn’t even get past the damn door.

Perhaps I’d never let go. Maybe a life of solitude was exactly what I’d earned.

***

The house was unsettlingly silent. I had anticipated Penelope’s infectious laughter to welcome me, but all I could hear was the relentless ticking of the clock.

The cleaning crew had done their job well, but the house still felt hollow and devoid of life.

“Penelope… Clay?” I called out, my voice bouncing off the vacant rooms. “Is anyone here?”

Silence was my only response. I hadn’t spoken to them in a few days, and I was sure they were concerned.

I dialed Clay’s number from the landline. I listened to the monotonous ring.

The ringing lasted longer than usual, but eventually, he answered.

“Mason…” His voice was odd, almost wary. He must have been wondering what was happening. Two days without communication was not our norm.

“I just got back,” I said, attempting to sound nonchalant.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for two days, Mason. We were worried,” he murmured.

“I know, I’m sorry. I lost my phone in Toronto, didn’t have time to replace it,” I explained. “Where are you?” I asked. “We need to discuss something.”

“I’m at the hospital…” Clay’s words sent a chill down my spine. My mind immediately jumped to Penelope, wondering if something had happened while I was away.

Then my thoughts shifted to Jamie.

“Penelope?” I questioned.

“She’s fine, she’s here with me,” he responded, then paused, leaving me in suspense. “It’s Jamie. She woke up, Mason. She’s back.”

My heart hammered in my chest, my hairs standing on end. Those were the words I’d been yearning to hear for two years. Was this a dream? It felt too good to be real.

“She’s awake?” I whispered.

“She’s awake, son,” Clay confirmed, his voice filled with more joy than I’d heard in years. “But, Mason, there’s something you need to know…”

“I’m on my way. I’ll be there soon.” I hung up abruptly and headed for the door.

I snatched my car keys and exited my house. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, my emotions a tornado of anticipation and anxiety.

It had been two years, and I had almost given up hope of ever having her back.

The elevator doors slid open, and I hurried down the hallway toward Jamie’s hospital room.

I noticed Clay standing outside, a look of concern etched on his face.

“Where’s Penelope?” I asked, my heart pounding with adrenaline.

“She’s with Jacob,” Clay replied. “Mason, before you go in, we need to discuss something. It’s crucial.”

“Later,” I said, my thoughts solely on Jamie. “I need to see her.”

I pushed the door open and stepped into Jamie’s hospital room.

She was lying in bed, her eyes closed, her face as peaceful as always.

I moved closer to her bed and gazed down at her.

Her eyes fluttered open, revealing the big brown eyes I’d missed so much.

A smile tugged at my lips.

“Hey, you’re awake,” I said softly. “How are you feeling?”

Jamie hesitated, her gaze fixed on me, her eyes filled with confusion.

“Mr. Knight, why are you here?” she asked, slightly hoarse.

I was taken aback. I had expected her to be thrilled to see me, but she seemed bewildered, as if she didn’t recognize me.

I turned to see Clay in the doorway, his face a mask of sympathy.

“We should talk outside,” Clay suggested, his voice gentle.

I followed Clay out into the hallway, my heart heavy.

Once the door to Jamie’s hospital room was closed, I turned to face him.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

He let out a sigh.

“Jamie is experiencing some memory loss. The doctors didn’t notice at first, not until Penelope walked in and Jamie didn’t recognize her.”

Memory loss. I didn’t want to believe what I was hearing, but the evidence was right in front of me. She’d called me Mr. Knight. She remembered me, but she didn’t remember us.

“She doesn’t remember Penelope?” I asked, a slight tremor in my voice.

Clay responded with a shake of his head.

“They were both pretty upset, but I managed to explain it to Penelope. She’s wise beyond her years. She understands,” he assured me. “I didn’t mention you, Mason. I didn’t want to pile on too much at once.”

I let out a heavy sigh.

“Do you think she’ll regain her memories?” I asked.

“We can’t be sure,” he admitted, his hand landing on my shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

“All we can do is hope. But in the meantime…” He trailed off. “We can all do our best to help her remember. We’ve got her back… That’s something.”

I nodded, but his words did little to comfort me.

Jamie and I had weathered so many storms to reach where we were before the accident.

She hated the man I used to be. And now, in a cruel twist of fate, that was the only version of me she remembered.