Under His Protection (Protect and Defend 1)

“Hi.” She didn’t know what else to say and she shuffled her feet, feeling awkward.

“Hey.” His expression was unreadable. No surprise. He was so good at that. His mouth was a firm, straight line and she missed that vulnerable softness that only appeared when they were intimate.

Her skin prickled with awareness just at the thought of kissing him.

When she didn’t speak, he looked determined to fill the awkward silence with a bunch of meaningless words. “I ordered dinner. It just arrived. Are you hungry?” He nodded toward two large brown bags that sat on the kitchen counter and she stared at them, surprised.

“No one delivers on the island.” The town was so small everyone walked or drove to get what they needed.

“I convinced the new Chinese place to deliver. I, uh, couldn’t leave and I didn’t want to disturb you while you slept so I gave them a call.”

“I wasn’t sleeping.”

His brows drew together. “You weren’t?”

Blake shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep so I went to my studio.” She paused. “I got a—weird phone call a few minutes ago.”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “It probably wasn’t a big deal.”

“Tell me what happened Blake,” he demanded, his voice stern.

“Okay, um, there was heavy breathing at first, then weird giggling. Then the voice asked me if I could come out and play.” Unease settled over her as the memory of the odd voice came back to her.

Mason scrubbed a hand along his hard as granite jaw. He looked quietly furious. “Was the request general or was your name mentioned?”

“The voice said my name.” She bit her lower lip when she saw the fury ignite in his eyes.

“Why do you keep saying ‘the voice’?”

“Because it was weird. Whoever it was, they didn’t sound normal. It was all distorted. Almost as if they were talking into some sort of machine.”

“Damn it.” He slammed his hand on the edge of the counter. “Have you given your number out to anyone?”

“No.” She shook her head furiously. “Not at all.”

He scrutinized her, his gaze razor sharp. “What about that woman you hang out with?”

“Suzanne? But why would she call me and say those things?” She hated that he even brought her up. Why he didn’t like her, she wasn’t sure.

“We can’t trust her. We don’t even know her.”

“I know her. And I know she wouldn’t do anything like that to me. She’s my friend, Mason.”

He snorted. “We know how great your friends turn out to be.”

Disappointment swept through her, cold and swift. “That’s unfair.”

“It’s the truth,” he bit out. “I need to report this. You’ll need a new phone.”

“It was nothing. Maybe just a kid making a sick prank.” She was lying. It had freaked her out but she hadn’t expected this sort of reaction from Mason. And she certainly hadn’t expected a fight.

“Don’t brush it off like you always do. It was most definitely something.” He started toward the back door but she stopped him, grabbing him by the arm.

“Can’t you report it tomorrow?” she pleaded. “You just ordered dinner and I’m starving. Can’t it wait?”

“Go ahead and start eating. I’ll be back in a few.”