Cold Welcome

LAUREN

Mason’s family lived in a place that could easily be mistaken for a castle. It was breathtaking, and I found myself unable to look away.

I’d never even dreamed of a mansion like this, and yet here I was, about to step inside. The gates were towering and black, and the path leading to the mansion took us a full minute to traverse.

The property was vast, almost excessively so. You could fit fifty houses on it, but instead, there was a sprawling mansion with four wings right in the center.

I hadn’t forgotten that I was about to meet the Campbells, and my fear seemed to grow with each step I took.

As we exited the car, two men hurried out of the house to collect our bags. I noticed I was the only one who had brought one.

Mason hadn’t brought anything. Why would he? This was his home.

I looked up at the door and swallowed hard. I could almost hear the devil whispering, inviting me inside to my ruin.

“Master Mason.” A tall man in a black suit stood before us. His hair and beard were gray, and he stood with a deliberate posture, hands clasped behind his back and chest puffed out.

“Welcome home.” His tone was suddenly warm and affectionate.

“Leon,” Mason replied, nodding at him. His voice was devoid of any warmth or affection.

Leon’s gaze shifted to me, and his eyes narrowed.

“Welcome, ma’am.”

I hadn’t even set foot inside and already I was being judged. What had I done to this old man to earn his disdain at first sight?

The only explanation I could think of was that he was in love with Mason, but I quickly dismissed that absurd thought.

The man was old enough to be Mason’s grandfather. There had to be a better explanation.

“If you’d please follow me, Master Mason, your father wishes to see you in the garden. He heard you were in the country the minute your plane landed.”

“All right.” Mason’s lips tightened slightly.

“And, Leon, you might want to change the tone of your voice next time you’re speaking to my fiancée.”

Leon’s eyes widened in surprise before he recovered and cleared his throat. “My apologies, sir. And to you, ma’am.”

“It’s okay,” I squeaked out, feeling a warmth spread through me as Mason defended me. Not that I needed it, but it was unexpected.

“Lauren.” Mason’s fingers brushed my arm as he turned to me.

“I need to see my father. You can go in first.”

His words made my eyes widen in alarm. I shook my head and took a step back.

“What? No, I can’t go in alone,” I said softly. “I don’t know these people.”

“Don’t be stubborn, love. Leon will escort you inside. I’ll join you shortly.”

His expression was stern, his tone unyielding, but I didn’t think anyone else would notice.

Then, he surprised me by wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me to his chest.

I gasped as a jolt of electricity shot through me.

My eyes wide, he rested his forehead on mine, his warm breath making me shudder.

His breath smelled of mint and chocolate, a heady combination.

Frozen in place, I watched as Mason rubbed our foreheads together before placing a light kiss on my cheek. He pulled back to look at me.

“Try not to miss me too much, sweetheart,” he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and caressing the side of my head.

I was stunned.

My heart pounded in my chest and my breath hitched as he flashed me a cheeky smile.

He was looking at me as if I were the only woman he’d ever seen, and it wasn’t fair because it was all for show.

But for a moment, I wanted to believe that he was looking at me this way because he wanted to. Because I was special to this raw, sexy, powerful man who held the world in his hands.

Something was happening, something I didn’t want to let go of.

“I dare you to stop me from missing you,” I played along, smiling as if I believed my own lies. “If I don’t see you soon, I’m coming to look for you.”

He nodded and walked away. I watched him go, his muscles flexing with each step, and my smile didn’t fade.

Leon cleared his throat, drawing my attention. My cheeks flushed as I noticed the change in his expression. It wasn’t hostility anymore, but acceptance.

I wondered what had changed his mind about me.

“Shall we go in?”

I nodded and followed him inside. It was like stepping into paradise.

The interior design was lavish. Beth would have been in heaven.

“Who are you?” A man appeared from a hallway, and I drew in a breath.

He was young, in his late twenties, and handsome with dark hair and broad shoulders. He was tall, with sharp cheekbones and a smooth, square jaw.

His eyes were a playful emerald green. He didn’t resemble Mason, but he was also not better looking than him.

“Yes?” He arched a brow at me. “Who are you?” His deep voice made my whole body vibrate.

“She’s Master Mason’s fiancée.”

The man glanced briefly at Leon.

“Mason’s fiancée?” His brow furrowed in disbelief. “You can go, Leon.”

I heard Leon’s retreating footsteps. He turned to me.

“Are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Mason’s fiancée,” he said, his tone frustrated.

“Yeah,” I replied sharply, forcing myself not to back down. He didn’t scare me.

He stood up quickly, a smile on his face, but his eyes were alert.

“Are we talking about the same Mason? Our Mason wouldn’t dream of proposing to a woman, not since—” He stopped himself with a chuckle. “Are you a journalist?”

“If we’re discussing Mason Campbell, then yes.” I couldn’t help but clench my hand. “I’m his fiancée, Lauren Hart. Nice to meet you.”

One of his eyebrows lifted in a cool manner. “If you’re lying to me, Lauren Hart, I’ll introduce you to my two dogs and they’ll tear you apart. I can’t stand liars.”

Who did this guy think he was? I was on the verge of tossing manners aside. “Well then, I guess you’ll have to find someone else to introduce.”

A faint, ironic smile played on his lips. “Let me introduce you to everyone, Mason’s fiancée.” He started to turn around when I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“My name is Lauren,” I corrected, annoyed.

He nodded, a small smile on his face.

“Lauren, of course, my apologies. Follow me.”

I trailed behind him, panic urging me to bolt.

Our footsteps echoed in the silence; the house seemed deserted.

It wasn’t until we reached the end of the hallway that we heard the first sounds, a whispering that grew louder as we approached, escalating into a chatter.

I glanced at the man beside me, but his stern face revealed nothing.

At the end of the hallway, we entered through double doors. For a moment, the chatter continued.

Then, heads began to turn, and I was met with a line of pale, staring faces in a terrifying silence. I looked around for an escape, but the man was blocking my way.

Then, someone giggled, and another voice joined in. “Sebastian, why are you standing by the door? And who have you brought with you?”

I couldn’t tell who was speaking because there were a few people in the room—maybe five, seated on the most regal-looking chairs.

I stood frozen, taking in their bright, elegant clothes and dazzling jewels.

“I brought you Mason’s fiancée, Lauren Hart,” Sebastian replied, a hint of delight in his voice, as he nudged me forward into the living room.

“What?” a woman shrieked, rising from her chair. Our eyes met as she stormed over to me.

She was stunning; her blonde, curly hair bounced on her shoulders as she moved with grace and elegance. She wore a short, sparkly dress and black heels that clicked on the floor.

She stopped a few inches from me, her hazel eyes boring into mine. She stared at me like she wanted to kill me, and I returned her gaze, unafraid.

The woman had sharp cheekbones. Her nose was straight, and when she frowned, dimples appeared on both cheeks.

Her full lips were painted a bold red, and a diamond necklace lay across her neck, glittering like stars. This girl was everything I wasn’t.

“Did you just say she’s Mason’s fiancée?”

Sebastian didn’t answer her, but his smile was malicious as he looked past her at the woman approaching us. Even before anyone could tell me, I knew she was Mason’s mother.

She bore a striking resemblance to her son. Her bronze hair was styled elegantly, and her blouse and pantsuit made her look younger than her age.

But it was the hostility in her face that shocked me. As she glanced at me, her gray eyes were smoldering, and her mouth was set in a hard line. I swallowed before I could stop myself.

Then, she studied me for a moment longer; then she demanded, “Is what my nephew said true? Are you my son’s fiancée?”

“Yes.”

~Don’t react.~

~Breathe~.

“You’re lying,” the other girl said, her expression stony. “Mason would never give a person like you a second glance.”

I rolled my eyes at her despite the pounding in my chest. “Oh, but he did. Looks like you don’t know him that well.”

I gave her a polite smile as her eyes blazed.

“Enough, Chloe,” Mason’s mother snapped at her, then glared at me.

“Are you pregnant?”

My jaw dropped at her question. I opened and closed my mouth, speechless.

She was suggesting that the only reason I would be with her son was if I were pregnant?

Then, suddenly, someone laughed. It was high-pitched and a bit malicious, but there was a note of genuine amusement in it. “Is that a question, Mom?” another girl spoke up.

“The only reason why she would be here is if she’s pregnant with his child, or maybe she’s lying. She’s having someone’s child and claiming it to be my brother’s.

“I know girls like her who would do anything to trap someone for money.”

I ignored her as I clenched my fist in anger.

“If this is about money, girl, I will give you a blank check right now to get out of my son’s life,” she said softly, her narrowed eyes betraying her light tone.

“Let me get my purse and we can do this quickly, and then get out of my sight.”

“No.” I stopped her from moving, meeting her intense gaze steadily enough. “I’m not pregnant.” I shot a brief glare at Chloe.

“And I don’t want your money,” I said to his mother. Speaking the words clearly in an effort to feel more confident, I added, “Mason and I are in love. I love him. He loves me.”

Or so we were telling everyone.

“Shut up!” Chloe shouted, pointing her manicured finger at me. “Mason isn’t in love with you.” She grinned with sinister intent. “I’m sure he’s doing this to get back at me.”

Uh…that isn’t true, but I shouldn’t say anything. Let her feed her own ego. Something shuddered inside me as I digested the obvious suggestion that Mason might have been involved with Chloe.

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease at the thought. But picturing him with Chloe? That was a stretch. She was a bit of a handful.

Sebastian chuckled. “Only you would think Mason would bother with something like this, Chloe.” His voice was laced with humor. “Plus, he can’t stand you.”

“Nobody asked for your two cents, Seb,” she shot back.

“Enough, both of you.” Mason’s mom glanced at Sebastian. “Where’s Mason? I need to talk to him. This…” She gestured at me, her face full of disapproval. “This girl won’t do.”

She then returned to her seat.

“Girl, come here,” another woman ordered.

I flinched at her tone but stayed put. “I’m talking to you.”

“Don’t move, Lauren.”

I spun around to find Mason standing there, chest rising and falling, teeth bared like a wild animal.

Our eyes locked, and he held my gaze before shifting his attention back to his aunt. His eyes were filled with a wild, furious anger.

“Mason.”

He ignored his mom and walked over to me, standing between Sebastian and Chloe. He looked down at me and extended his hand. I hesitated before taking it, feeling the warmth of his skin.

Our hands seemed to fit together perfectly. Like they were made for each other.

He turned back to his aunt. “I gave your son my money to start his business when he blew his inheritance, Aunt Matilda.

“If you want him to keep his business, you’d better respect my fiancée,” he warned, his voice low and threatening.

“She’s not your servant. And that goes for all of you. Anyone who disrespects her will answer to me.”

“Mason!” His mom gasped in surprise, and his aunt’s face turned red with anger and embarrassment.

I felt something shift inside me as I looked up at him in shock. This man, who couldn’t stand me, was defending me against his own family. He must despise them even more.

“You can’t be serious!”

He spun around and glared at Chloe. It was so intense, I had to look away.

“Shut. Up.”

His voice was filled with hostility. It was chilling.

He made those two words sound like a threat.

This was the Mason Campbell that Beth and I had heard rumors about.

This was the man who made people tremble in fear. I knew because I felt like trembling myself, and he wasn’t even talking to me.

“Not another word, Chloe. I’m talking to my family.” He pointed a finger at her, his eyes cold and emotionless. “The next time you open your mouth, you’ll see just how bad I can be.”

Chloe stepped back, looking scared, and turned away.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, Lauren and I need to find a hotel. Clearly, she’s not welcome here, and I don’t see why I should stay.”

He held my hand tightly as we turned to leave.

“Don’t be silly, son. No one will bother her, I promise.” His mom came over and surprised me by giving me a tight hug.

Her face was a mix of conflicting emotions.

“Welcome to the family, Lauren.” She tried to smile.

It wasn’t a nice smile.

“Give me one good reason why I should believe you, Mom.” His eyes were narrowed and angry.

“I promise, Mason.”

He didn’t look convinced. And honestly, neither was I.