Page 22 of King of Sinners

I know I’ve nailed the assignment and all I can hope is that Professor Burke passes me based on the merit of my work.

The disgusting pig had cornered me in his office and went so far as to tell me I didn’t need to do the assignment at all if I did some other things instead.

When I said no, I went from getting A’s in his class to F’s, so it’s not guaranteed that he’ll do the right thing now.

But I did my part…

I look up, realizing the sun has set, the lights of the strip filling the view out the windows.

Stretching, I check the kitchen clock, amazed that it’s nearly nine. My stomach gives a hungry growl even as the elevator lights up, alerting me someone is on their way to the penthouse.

Mason appears a moment later with a bag in hand. “Tacos?” he says lifting the bag.

“Yum,” I answer closing my laptop and heading for my room to put the device away.

“What were you doing?” he asks. I can hear him pulling out plates, opening the bag. I still. Was he worried that I was sending messages to people I shouldn’t?

I pick up the device again, returning to the kitchen where I open the computer. I fire up my presentation, putting it on slideshow. “The purpose of the assignment was to tell a story with only visuals,” I say as he serves me a shrimp taco that looks absolutely delicious. Fresh avocado, bright red tomatoes, and crisp romaine decorate the large pink shrimp.

“We’re back to the agenda?” he asks, grabbing the plates and bringing them to the table. Then he returns to the kitchen, pulling a bottle of white wine from the fridge and snags two glasses.

I sigh as I wait, knowing the wine will be as amazing as the food in front of me.

His eyes flash to the screen, watching several pictures slide by before he returns to the table. “Your eye is exceptional.”

“Thank you,” I blush as I look down, listening to the delicate splash of the wine into the glass.

If most of the world is an assault to my senses, Mason’s home is a salve.

“But I wasn’t showing you the slideshow to start on my agenda, I just wanted you to know what I was using the laptop for. I didn’t message anyone other than an email to my professor to turn in my assignment.”

He pauses before he sets the glass in front of me. “I appreciate the update, and though you have proven yourself trustworthy, certain developments do require us to be extra careful.”

I tense at his words, fingering the stem of my glass. “Developments?”

Mason looks tired. “Let’s eat first.”

I pick up my taco then, taking a bite as flavor explodes in my mouth. But I don’t enjoy it the way I would have a few minutes before. What’s happened?

Mason eats slowly, carefully, taking several sips of his wine. When he’s done, he gets up to get another taco. It can’t be too bad, can it?

“Another?” he calls to me.

“No, thank you.” I wouldn’t eat a second either way. I don’t have a big appetite. But now, I’m nervous.

He sits back down. “Does that project mark the end of your college career?”

“Yep. And provided I pass, I will be the first person in my family to graduate from college.”

He looks up at me then. “There are a few bits to unpack there. Why wouldn’t you pass?”

I grimace, not sure how much to tell him. He’s already dealing with a really big problem of mine.

But I’ve done that thing where I’ve looked down at my plate and Mason knows that means something is wrong. A finger under my chin makes me look up, our eyes meeting. “Tell me, Charlotte.”

“My professor doesn’t like me.” I start but it isn’t true. “Actually, he liked me enough to suggest that I…”

I don’t finish because Mason lets out a rumbling growl that hums through me. I’m not scared though. I called Mason a predator, and I meant it. But he’s my animal in this moment, and I appreciate having a beast in my corner.

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