Under His Protection (Protect and Defend 1)

e’s in good hands.”

Blake leaned over Mason, pressing one kiss, then another to his yielding lips. His breath wafted over her, proof the life inside of him was strong and steady and she blinked back tears.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I won’t lose you.”

Drawing herself up, she exited the ambulance, watched as complete chaos exploded around her. Rich was laid out on a stretcher, being installed into the other ambulance, a grieving Suzanne by his side. The rain had let up, turned into a fine mist and deputies milled about all over the property. Yet another car pulled up, this one unmarked and three men in dark suits spilled out.

The suits headed straight toward her, their faces grim, their mannerisms reminding her of Mason.

“Ms. Hewitt?” One of them asked and she nodded her reply. “We’re from the Secret Service. We’re here to escort you home.”

“Back to the cabin?” She couldn’t go back there. She wanted to go with Mason and make sure he was all right. And besides, didn’t the deputy want to question her?

What was going on?

“We’re taking you back to Washington, to your father.”

“No.” Blake shook her head vehemently, backing away from them and right into the deputy. “I’m not leaving. I need to be with Mason.”

“He’s going to the hospital, Ms. Hewitt. There’s nothing more you can do for him.” All three of the agents stared at her, impassive expressions on their faces. “You’re needed back in Washington. Your father is asking for you.”

“We need to talk to her first before she leaves,” piped up the deputy from behind.

“You’ll get your chance right now. Fifteen minutes, maximum. We fly out in forty-five minutes.”

“I’m not leaving.” Blake wanted to stomp her foot but she restrained herself. “At least, I’m not going back to Washington. I need to go to San Francisco and make sure Mason is all right.”

The ambulance containing Mason had already pulled away and the second one just pulled out onto the road, taking Rich and Suzanne with it. Blake glanced at the deputy. “What’s going to happen to him?”

“He’ll be treated for his wounds and ultimately released. And when he’s released, he’ll be arrested. Kidnapping is a federal offense.” The deputy shifted on his feet. “That’s why I need to talk to you, Ms. Hewitt. I need to understand what exactly Richard Bentley did to you and the role Amber Bentley played in this.”

Blake nodded. “Okay.”

“And we need to talk to you as well, Ms. Hewitt,” one of the agents said. “An immediate investigation will be underway regarding Agent Russell’s handling of this entire situation. We will need your full cooperation.”

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, desperate to gather the strength she’d need to handle all of this.

They were going to try and paint Mason in the absolute worst light for getting her into this situation. And she refused to let them. She would do whatever it took to protect the man she loved.

No matter what.

Chapter Sixteen

Six weeks later

“Blake! You look positively...stunning.”

She smiled politely at the gentleman who stood in front of her, his beaming wife close by his side. “Thank you. We’re so glad you could attend tonight.”

“We wouldn’t miss your family’s holiday party for the world. Especially since this might be the last one here for a while.” The man’s expression turned serious and he leaned in close, as if about to share a great secret. “We were devastated when they lost the election.”

“Yes, we all were.” Her cheeks hurt from keeping the smile in place and she let it fall, her facial muscles sending her a silent message of thanks.

For the life of her, she couldn’t remember the name of the man who stood in front of her. A senator perhaps, one of her father’s old cronies, he was terribly familiar as was his wife. But not familiar enough.

Watching them walk away, she grabbed a glass of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray, gulping the cold, crisp liquid down in three swallows. Bubbles tickled her throat and she glanced about the crowded room, wishing she were anywhere but here.

It had been the longest six weeks of her life—because she hadn’t seen Mason.