Page 136 of They Break Beauty

Things were precarious right now with Mason, though.

And then there was Brianna. I’d finally managed to pull her close to me, and the way things were between us was incredible. Even the thought of fucking with that made me sick to my stomach.

But I also couldn’t let this go.

My phone pinged and I pulled it from the pocket of my black hoodie to see a text that I’d been expecting.

Hmm, she’d reached out sooner than I’d figured she would.

Caterina: Apologies, bello.

Damn straight.

Levi: Why did you help him? Especially over me?

Caterina: Not by preference, believe me. Necessary, unfortunately. Required an introduction to Peter Hall.

Levi: Are you in trouble?

Caterina: Aww, even though I hurt you, you’re still so caring.

Levi: Our bond can weather this easily. Just give me a heads-up next time.

Caterina: Again, sorry. I was distracted when he contacted me.

Levi: By this trouble you’re in?

Caterina: Not trouble, merely being prepared.

Levi: You need me, I’m here.

Caterina: I never doubted it. You too, bello.

Levi: Later, Rina.

Caterina: A presto!

I stowed my phone away.

I’d considered reaching out to her about this, but now knowing she was dealing with her own shit, I couldn’t burden her with more.

“Motherfucking shit,” I ground out, before smashing my fist into the wall beside the board.

“That seems like a significant understatement,” a voice sounded from behind me.

Fuck.

I spun around to see Mason, the stealthy fucker, standing at the threshold of my tiny shithole apartment.

“I hate it when you pull that ghost shit, Mason.”

“It comes naturally to me.” He kicked the door shut behind him and strode toward me, taking in the place. Boring, beige walls, worn cheap hardwood floors, and a mattress in the corner I’d used as a bed a couple of times when I’d first come back here ahead of him and Colt knowing. My computer desk setup was the only other feature of the small space.

“Not your usual speed in the least. I thought my guy had made an error when he reported you being seen here.”

“It’s just a space. Purely about functionality.”

“Business, not pleasure?”

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