Chapter Nine
SEBASTIAN
Memories bombard me as I walk through the home I haven’t been back to in eight months. It almost feels like I’m walking through it for the first time again. Even though everything is exactly how it was when they died, it seems just as large now as it did when I was four.
I was in the hospital for a week before the Reeds brought me home, brought mehere,but even in that short time, I’d developed an attachment to Elena. Maybe some part of me knew that she’d saved my life that night in the alley. Or maybe it was because she never left my side the whole time I was there—at least it felt that way to me. I’m not sure exactly when she becameMum,but that’s who she was for as long as I can remember. It took me a little longer to warm up to Dad. Whilst our bond might have been different, he was always there for me.
They’d been on their way out for their anniversary when their car drove by that alley all those years ago. Mum used to tell me I was the most precious gift she ever received, and it only made that day,their day, even more special. In a sense, it becameourday. The day our family was brought together—even if it was spent in a sterile white room that did nothing but give me nightmares. But she was there. They both were. Now I can’t see past it being the day they were taken from me.
Whilst I might not have visited, I would never have let the place turn to shit. I made it a priority to ensure it was taken care of. Even though I didn’t want to be here, I wasn’t ready to lose this place either.
As much as I’ve avoided my childhood home until now, it didn’t feel right to take Grace back to the penthouse. That place was tainted. I’d forced her to live there, practically imprisoned her in a sky tower, and I didn’t want that hanging over us now.
How is that any different compared to this?
What choice did you really give her?
With a curse, I push the thoughts aside.This is different.How long Grace stays is on her. However, I’m going to do my best to influence her as much as I can. Ultimately, the decision is hers. She’s not a prisoner. Grace is free to go where she likes, but that doesn’t mean she will be safe. I hate that she keeps things from me. I’d love nothing more than to get my hands on heruncleand remove him from fucking existence. Clearly, things are worse than I thought, and whilst Idowant her to get out and live her life, a part of me wishes I could also keep her locked away if only to keep her safe.
The war in my head between wanting her to be free and wanting her to be safe is exactly why I’m going to do what I am right now.
I find Mason in the kitchen, standing by the large glass partition doors that lead outside. This was my mother’s space—the heart of the home. With high ceilings, a massive twelve-seater dining area, and a kitchen, anyone who remotely likes to cook would die for. It’s perfect for entertaining. This area of the expansive house is mostly an open floor plan, with the only thing separating the lounge room being a double-sided fireplace centred between that and the dining area. Whilst the feature wall extends all the way to the ceiling, it’s only about half the width of the dining table.
I clear my throat as I approach Mason, and he turns from looking out the glass doors. “How is she?” he asks.
“Sleeping.”
He nods, but it doesn’t release any tension he’s been carrying since I first met him at the penthouse tonight.
“I want you to stay,” I say.
“Of course—” he starts, but I interrupt him.
“I want you to stay permanently,” I add, watching as the request dawns on him. “Come and work for me.”
Mason sighs, and I already know what he’s going to say, but this has nothing to do with me. “Sebastian, you’re a well-respected and hardworking young man, but we’ve been through this before. I’m sorry, but I’m not interested. I’m fine where I am.”
“I’ve respected your decision in the past, but this isn’t about me,” I grit out. “It’s about Grace.”
That gets his attention. “What about her?” he asks, completely focused on me.
“She’s been through a lot. She’s been hurt, Mason. I’m not going to go into details because it’s not my right, but trust me when I tell you, if you knew what I do, and you managed to get your hands on this person… there’s not a chance they’d make it through the encounter with their heart still beating.”
The look he gives me is one I’ve never seen from him before. With equal parts disgust and fury, he looks like he’s ready to go hunting. And if I had any clues as to who the fucker was, I’d be right there beside him.
“Does this have anything to do with what you showed me earlier?” he asks.
Fuck, I knew he wouldn’t let it go.
“As far as I know, but even I don’t have all the details,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “Look, we weren’t meant to… things got complicated. I won’t deny I fucked up tonight, but we talked about it. Grace isn’t going anywhere.”
Mason looks like he’s about to dig deeper intothat, which is the last fucking thing I need, so I keep going before he has a chance. “You have a military background. Special forces, if I’m not mistaken. I want you to protect her, that’s all. That’s your sole fucking focus. Grace hasn’t exactly been upfront with the details of how much trouble she’s in. Frankly, I don’t want to take any risks. I’ll triple whatever salary you’re making now.”
Not only does her past and why she won’t give me a name worry me, but if I really want her to staywith me, she needs to be protected from my business as well. I’m sure plenty of fucked-up people wouldn’t think twice about using her to get to me for whatever reason. I don’t want her alone, especially if we’re staying out here rather than in the city.
Mason doesn’t respond immediately, nor does he jump at the dollar signs, not that I thought he would. Although, based on what I saw tonight, I’m putting everything on him wanting to protect her. “She trusts you, Mason. Do you think she’s going to feel safe spending day in and day out with someone she doesn’t know?”
“IfI do this, I want to be very clear. I won’t be ordered around by you or your boy. I don’t care about the money or where the paycheck comes from. I’ll be working for her and inherbest interests.”