Page 144 of Faithless Heir

His eyes snap open, locking onto mine. It took us a while to calibrate, but Mason still looks at me like he is waiting for the other shoe to drop. That I might change my mind. As if there is any world where I could live without this man.

“You sure about that?” he asks with a cocked eyebrow.

This, again?

I’m returning to London tomorrow. Mason thinks it is because of Dan, who has had the Etheridge plane camped out at the Sicilian airport since the day I landed. In case Ineeded a quick escape.But my sudden plans to return have nothing to do with my annoying brother, and everything to do with my reckless boyfriend,no—fiancé.

It has been good to get away from the Fort and London noise, the beach walks, the repeats of The Ritz night when Mason fucks me while I’m wearing nothing but his ring, proof of his ownership, as he calls it. But yesterday, I received a desperate call from Alessia, begging me to get him back to England. She didn’t say why, and I didn’t ask.

I didn’t have to.

Mason’s grandfather—a short, scary Italian man—has been kind to me the few times I have met him, which I soon learned was because in his eyes, Mason can do no wrong. According to his cousins, Mason always gets a free pass. Which kind of scares me. Mostly because I can see how easily he fits into this world, with the guards bowing to him, the way his grandfather introduces him to everyone who walks in the door like he is next in line, or the way the cousins fight to gain his favor, like it’s a certainty he will.

Even though I know who Mason is and what happens at Fort isn’t that different, at least Fort is under Reginald Grant, who has a conscience. Mason having a part of the operations here scares the crap out of me. And then there is the Cold War between Alessia and her father, which I’m guessing comes with a bloody backstory.

Whatever it is, I’m definitely Team Alessia.

Besides, I have missed too many assignments and this semester’s tests. The vice-chancellor has been understanding, but I don’t want my catch-up pile stacking any higher. I’m ready to return to normal—go back to chilled evenings with Caden, Thea, and Penny, and the quiet of The Barrel with Mason.

I didn’t know how to ask him to return without dropping Alessia in it, but I have a feeling me heading back will make him follow soon.

Or so I hope.

“How many times do I have to say it?” I drawl. “I’m not changing my mind. I know what Dan will say, word for word, and I know what I’m going to say to him. You don’t have to worry, I promise.”

“I’ll give you ten minutes,” Mason mutters. “If he’s still talking, he’ll be speaking to my fists.”

I roll my eyes. “Wait, ten minutes?”

“You didn’t think I was going to let you go back alone, did you?”

“You’re coming with me?” My lips curl up.

“I’m like that ring on your finger, little dove. I go wherever you go.”

His fingers tangle in my hair as he pulls my face down into a hungry kiss that feels very much like coming home.

THE END