MASON "Sleep, princess. I'll wake you up when we're about to land."I watch with a strange ache in my chest as Mira burrows further into the pillows. Long lashes form a crescent over her high cheekbones. Beautiful black hair splays over the pillows, giving her the appearance of some exotic Disney princess…or a forbidden female Angel.She blinks up at me twice, trying to fight sleep, but apparently, she's more tired than she thinks. Before long, her lashes finally flutter closed and she burrows further into the duvet. I stand there like a creep with both my hands tucked in the pockets of my slacks, staring at her.She's so beautiful, so delicate, so fucking fragile. Touching her sometimes feels like a horrible taboo. No matter how hard I've tried to make up for the mistakes of my past, I feel like I might taint her with my darkness whenever I get my hands on her.To any normal, right thinking human, that should be a reason to stay away from her, fucking let her go. But I'm not any of
MIRAI have no idea where I'm going, but as far as it's away from Mason Lachlan, I am perfectly okay with it. I am furious…no, scratch that. I am fucking seething. How dare he? How dare he stand there and reprimand me when he's just been with some other woman, some whore. He has no right!My subconscious tells me that I have no right to be furious. Mason Lachlan was never mine to keep. I've always known that, but my brain is too fogged out to listen to any rational voices at the moment. I look around frantically. Yes. I'll go up to the room and lock him out.I do not make it to the top step. Strong arms wrap around my waist, lifting me off my feet. An angry gasp escapes me, and I instantly begin to struggle against him. Mason tips me closer, and my back collides against the heat of his chest. I go instantly still.I feel his lips against my ear and despite my anger, a slow heat unfurls in my belly. "Do not fucking walk away from me, Mira."I freeze. In that little moment of respite,
MIRA"So what's the prognosis, doctor?" Mason hovers over me, his deep baritone slowly causing havoc to my insides. At this rate, he might be more dangerous to my sanity that this freaking heart issue. "She's doing great. Better than I expected, considering the circumstances surrounding her previous relapse. If she doesn't stress herself out too much, she should be okay."" What do you recommend, then?" Mason asks in a tone that brooks no arguments,The doctor takes off his glasses, an uneasy look playing out on his face,"Frequent bed rest is very important. She shouldn't carry out any tedious tasks, or be exposed to any startling activities that may trigger her… condition."Mason nods thoughtfully. " Okay, then. Thank you very much, doctor."" Pleasure's all mine." Ah, I doubt. The poor man has been shivering like a leaf since the beginning of this meeting. Let's just say Mason can be a bit intimidating. Okay, a lot intimidating. "Please, make sure she takes the prescribed medica
MASONI look up from speaking to the head waiter, my eyes instinctively searching the room for a sign of shiny, black hair. Mira. Fuck! Weird how I cannot seem to go two minutes without looking at her or knowing where she is, but she can survive a whole year without me. The thought causes an odd pang in my chest. And my chest doesn't do odd pangs. There. Found her. I watch as she comes towards me, her beauty never failing to twist me a thousand different ways. Mira Fernandez has a rare, exotic kind of beauty, and the fact that she isn't aware of it only ramps up the allure.My eyes follow her steadfastly as she gazes around the restaurant in child-like awe, completely oblivious of the mesmerized stares the male patrons throw her way. One guy stares at her until he overfills his glass of wine as she passes by, and I feel the stirrings of anger in my veins.I want to carry her out of here and take her far, far away, where no one would get the pleasure of ogling her, where she would exi
MASON A knock on my window startles me from my murderous thoughts. I depress the button that automatically opens the car doors and Darth climbs in.I dial Damon's number and put him on speaker phone. He answers on the first ring."Mason.""There's someone I want you both to investigate." I say without preamble." I got your text." Damon replies, his tone serious. " What's up?" Darth nods in agreement." Who is this person, boss?"I grip the steering wheel tight," I do not know at the moment. I didn't get enough time to find out anything about him, but I know he's a new employee at La Camonerra."That serious nod again," If I may ask, sir. Why do you want this person investigated?"I think about it for a while, white hot anger slowly crawling through my veins."I think he has something to do with Mira's past. I'm not sure exactly how yet, but I know something's not right about him. Mira had a strange reaction to him earlier today. She was horrified."" Do you think it's them?" Damo
MIRAI sit huddled on the sofa, a cup of steaming tea in hand. My nerves are stretched to the point of breaking, and I'm still finding it difficult to calm my raging heartbeat.Being there, seeing him…it brought it all back. All the pain, the shame…the humiliation. God. I drop my cup on the table and cover my face with my hands, willing my tears not to fall. I thought I had moved past it. I keep all the memories of those years locked up in a part of my mind that I never visit. I believed I had moved on.I guess I was wrong. And Mason…Images of the icy anger in his eyes invade my vision, and I shut my eyes tight. He was so angry, yet so gentle. My heart clenches at the memories of the softness in his gaze when he looked down at me, and promised me things that are probably too good to be true. I feel something soften inside of me at the way he got me out of the restaurant when I asked him to, without asking any questions. Mason Lachlan might just be one of the worst things that ever
MIRA"What on earth are you talking about?" I ask, my voice shaking. "Exactly what I said, Mira."I lift my chin,"My life is non of your business. Whatever happened or happens to me shouldn't concern you."His voice takes on a dangerous edge." It shouldn't concern me? You practically had a panic attack and almost fell to pieces in my arms, and you stand there and say that what happens to you shouldn't concern me. Don't you dare, Mira."I lean back on the sofa, momentarily stunned at his harsh response."Everything is already set up. Your sister will be staying with Vanessa until we return."I swallow, deciding to choose my battles."When will this be?""Whenever I please. Now I suggest you go upstairs and get yourself ready. The jet leaves in twenty minutes."My eyes fly to his once more, widening in shock," Twenty minutes? That barely gives me enough time to pack."He leans back on the bar, looking every inch the dangerous billionaire."You do not have to pack anything. Anything
MIRAI let go of the debate in my head long enough to quickly swipe lip gloss over my lips and give Anna and Vanessa a quick call before I go down to join Mason. I do not find him anywhere . Instead, I find Darth at the bottom of the stairs.“Where’s Mason?”“The boss is already waiting by the car, miss. This way.”He steps into the elevator and I step in behind him. The journey downwards is silent and awkward. I mean, darth doesn’t say a word. He just looks straight ahead, his face stone cold and completely stoic. Finally uncomfortable with the silence, I clear my throat to start a conversation but the elevator finally dings, signaling that we’ve arrived at our destination. I breath a sigh of relief.“This way, ma’m.” Darth says and I follow him gladly to the waiting Porsche. He opens the door and I slide in with a murmured “thanks.” I feel him even before I turn. He’s still dressed in the custom made, well pressed, all black three piece suit from earlier, only now, his tie is miss