Chapter 32: Chapter 32

MASON

The restaurant was a haven of hushed elegance, bathed in soft light. The low murmur of conversation filled the air as we discussed business over dinner. My hand reached for my scotch when my phone buzzed against the crisp white tablecloth.

A quick glance at the screen made my heart stutter. Normally, I wouldn’t interrupt a business meeting for a call—it’s just not professional. But seeing Ezra’s name on the screen sent a wave of unease through me.

“Excuse me,” I murmured to the men at the table. “I need to take this.”

They nodded in understanding as I rose, my movements quick and purposeful.

I answered the call. “Ezra?”

It took four minutes. Four minutes from the moment I picked up the call to the moment I slid into the waiting car outside. Eric, my driver, was behind the wheel, his face set in a grim expression.

We sped away from the curb, tires squealing against the pavement, pushing the speed limit as far as it would stretch. The journey from the restaurant to my house felt like a lifetime.

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up outside. My heart pounded as I stepped out of the car and made my way inside. Instead of his usual post at the front door, Ezra was standing in the archway leading to the living room.

Then I saw Jamie, huddled on the couch, her legs drawn up in front of her. Her face was ashen, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. It was clear she was replaying the recent events over and over in her mind.

I moved toward her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “I’m here now,” I whispered, holding her close.

After a moment, she pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“What happened, Jamie?” I asked, overwhelmed with worry. “Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, her eyes still wide with fear. “No, he didn’t hurt me. He just…”

She trailed off, pulling the sleeves of her top over her hands and wiping her eyes. “He wouldn’t take no for an answer. I tried to tell him…but he wouldn’t listen.”

Her words ignited a familiar fury within me. The thought of this man, someone she trusted, invading our home and touching her, made my blood boil. My fists clenched involuntarily.

“Did he…,” I began, my voice thick with anger and revulsion. I wanted to ask, did he get under your clothes? How long did this go on?

“No,” she interrupted, sparing me from finishing my sentence. “Adam was forceful, but he didn’t get that far.”

I exhaled in relief, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. Adam had violated her, crossed a line no man should ever cross.

I reached out and took her hand in mine. It was only then that I noticed what looked like blood under her nails. My heart dropped. She had fought him off… that’s how she stopped him.

If she hadn’t, how far would he have gone?

I turned to Ezra, my expression hard. “Where were you when this happened?” My voice was icy with rage.

“I was outside, sir. By the front door. I didn’t hear anything,” Ezra replied, sounding guilty and confused. He had been at his usual post, but he hadn’t heard a thing.

“Don’t blame him, Mason,” Jamie interjected softly. “It’s my fault. I didn’t call for Ezra. I thought I could handle it on my own.”

I let out a sigh. Was I annoyed by her response? Maybe. But I also understood, or at least I was trying to.

I noticed a jacket draped over a stool in the kitchen. Was it his? It must be. He probably forgot it in his haste to leave.

I turned to Jamie. “Why don’t you go clean up? I’ll be there in a minute.”

She nodded, exhaustion etched on her face. As she rose from the couch and slowly ascended the stairs, I headed toward the kitchen.

I spotted a coffee mug, barely sipped from, sitting in front of a stool at the kitchen island. What was his purpose for being here so late? It wasn’t time for a physio session.

Adam’s jacket was draped over the stool. I picked it up and began to search the pockets. The first one was empty, but as I reached into the second, my fingers brushed against something.

Pills!

The bag was small, transparent, and held about ten to fifteen white pills. I didn’t recognize them, and a wave of dread washed over me as I held them in my hand.

“Ezra…,” I called out, and he moved toward me. “Do you know what these are?” I asked, holding out the bag.

He took it from me, his eyes scanning the contents. “They could be anything, sir. But he might’ve brought them with the intention of drugging her.”

My worst fears were confirmed. Anger surged through me. “Get them tested for me, will you?”

Ezra nodded, his face serious. I watched him leave the room, a heavy weight settling onto my shoulders. I stood there, my mind spinning with thoughts of what could have happened.

Fuck this!

I snatched up my car keys and headed for the front door. “Ezra, stay with Jamie,” I commanded firmly. “I’ll be back soon.”

I rushed out of the house, the cool evening air hitting me. I slid into the back of the car, gave Eric the address, and we pulled away. Anger was simmering inside me. I had to act. I couldn’t let him get away with this.

As we neared his apartment, thoughts of revenge filled my mind.

Eric stopped at the curb, and I got out of the car. My phone buzzed in my pocket as I walked into the building, heading for the elevator. I pulled it out and saw Jamie’s name on the screen.

I let out a sigh and answered.

“Where are you?” she asked immediately.

“I have something I need to take care of,” I said, my voice rough. “I’ll be back soon.”

The elevator doors opened, but I didn’t step in, not wanting to lose the call.

“Don’t do it,” she pleaded. “I know you, Mason. I know where you are. This won’t make things any better.”

“Yes, it will,” I insisted. “Why should he get away with this?” I was determined to confront him, to make him pay for what he did tonight.

“Not everything should be solved with violence,” she said, her voice a mix of sadness and fear. “Please, just come back home. We can talk about this.”

The elevator doors closed. My reflection stared back at me from the shiny surface. Anger was etched on my face, my eyes narrowed, my jaw set. I was filled with a thirst for revenge.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Jamie was wrong. Violence was the answer; it’s what he deserved. But I didn’t want to upset her more than she already was.

After all, she was the one who mattered here.

“I’m coming back,” I said.

“I’ll be waiting for you,” she replied. “See you soon, okay?”

“Okay,” I said, and she ended the call.

Soon, I was pulling up to our house for the second time that night. The house was dark, the only lights visible were the hallway and our bedroom upstairs.

“I won’t need you again tonight, Eric,” I said, reaching for the door handle.

“I will see you tomorrow, sir,” he responded respectfully.

I got out of the car and walked into the house. The cold evening air wrapped around me.

The house was silent, the only sound the ticking of the kitchen clock. Ezra stood in the doorway to the living room, his hands clasped in front of him. He looked worn out.

I took off my jacket and laid it on the island. “Everything quiet here while I was gone?” I asked, turning to Ezra.

“Yes, sir,” Ezra replied.

“All right, you can head out,” I said wearily. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Ezra nodded and left the house, the door clicking shut behind him.

I reached for my scotch bottle and a glass, pouring myself a hefty serving. I took a sip, letting the warmth spread through me.

I left the bottle on the counter and trudged upstairs, the day’s burdens weighing me down. As I neared our bedroom, I noticed the dimmed lights and the faint hum of the TV.

I nudged the bedroom door open, taking in the sight before me. Jamie was asleep, her eyes shut, the sheets drawn up to her chest on our queen-sized bed. She looked serene.

I grabbed the remote from the foot of the bed and switched off her favorite movie that was playing on the TV.

That’s when she stirred, her eyes fluttering open. “You’re home,” she murmured, her lips curving into a smile.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“I am now,” she responded, extending her arm toward me. “Come here. Cuddle with me.”

I took Jamie’s hand and sat down on the bed next to her. I noticed her gaze on my knuckles, checking for cuts or signs that I had heeded her advice and walked away.

A smile spread across her face when she realized I had.

Jamie nestled her head on my chest, her arms wrapped around me. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I know it was hard for you to walk away. But I’m glad you did.”

I ran my fingers through her hair, my anger slowly ebbing away. “I’m glad too,” I replied, though I didn’t fully agree. I felt this overwhelming urge to protect her, but who could blame me after all we’ve been through.

Jamie closed her eyes, her breathing steady and even. I held her close, a wave of tranquility washing over me.

***

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and saw Jamie curled up next to me, her breath warm against my chest.

Last night had been a whirlwind of emotions, the anger and the drama. I grabbed my phone and checked the time—it was already past nine. I had two missed calls from Eoin.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath.

I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The remnants of last night still lingered in my thoughts.

Once I was freshened up, I tiptoed out of the bedroom, careful not to wake Jamie.

I dialed Eoin’s number and waited for him to answer.

“Mason, where are you?” Eoin asked, concern lacing his voice. “You missed your nine o’clock meeting. I had to cover for you, which is fine. But a heads up would’ve been nice.”

“I won’t be in today,” I said, ignoring his comment. I started down the stairs. “I have some things to take care of at home.”

“Oh, is everything okay?” he asked, sensing something was off.

I paused, considering my options. I didn’t want to reveal too much. Saying nothing might be the best course.

“Yeah, everything is fine,” I finally said. “Just have Emily cancel all my meetings for today and reschedule them for later in the week. Have her call me at lunch and we’ll go over it.”

I unlocked my office door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of leather and wood greeted me.

“All right, man,” Eoin said, his voice filled with understanding. “I’ll see you tomorrow then, hopefully.”

I hung up and sank into my desk chair, relieved the conversation was over. I booted up my laptop, noticing the barrage of emails waiting for me. One in particular caught my eye. It was from an unknown sender, a random email address I didn’t recognize.

I clicked on it and scanned the contents. It was sent at 3 a.m., an odd time for an unsolicited email. My heart pounded as I looked at the email.

It contained a picture…

A picture of Jamie and Adam together. It wasn’t taken in our house, but outside a bar. I recognized the dress—it was from the night she had told me about.

Their lips were locked, bodies pressed together in a way that made my blood boil. The sight of it was like a punch to the gut. A wave of anger washed over me, a sense of betrayal so profound it threatened to swallow me whole.

With a huff, I slammed my laptop shut and leaned back in my chair. ~How could she do this?~ I thought. ~I thought we were solid.~

I flipped open my laptop again, pulling up the security footage from my kitchen last night. I hadn’t planned on watching it, didn’t want to see it, but now I had to know.

For the next half hour, I sat glued to the screen, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. I watched her, every movement radiating fear. I watched him, the way his eyes devoured her, his actions forceful. I watched as he cornered her against the wall, the kiss, the agonizing minutes it took for her to finally push him away.

The video ended, leaving me sitting in the silence of my office.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, followed by the creak of the door opening. Jamie’s face appeared, her lips curling into a smile when she saw me. A short robe was tied neatly around her waist, her long legs on full display.

“Good morning,” she greeted, stepping further into the room.

I didn’t respond, and she must have read the tension in my face. “Is everything okay?” she asked worriedly.

I looked at her, my heart heavy. “I don’t know… You tell me,” I said, swiveling my laptop around for her to see.

She stepped closer, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the image of her and Adam together.

“Mason, I can explain,” she stammered.

“Explain,” I demanded.

I was struggling to keep my anger in check, but it was a losing battle. I couldn’t shake the feeling that my world was crumbling around me.