Page 47 of Sweetheart

“Nothing that happened today is your fault.” How did Levi make Mason understand? “You didn’t do this.”

“I didn’t warn you though. I suspected my father had found me. It was why I called Jason down here. I needed his help to keep you and your family safe.”

Levi had to think about Mason’s words. Instead of dismissing Mason’s concerns, it was time for Levi to listen.

“Why was your father looking for you?”

Mason sighed. His wrists were bruised as Mason curled his fingers into Levi’s blood-stained shirt. “I was born and raised to be a monster just like my father. My entire life I’ve been told that my sole purpose was to rid the world of people like you. I knew it was wrong. I knew the real monster was my father and his group.”

“It must have been horrible growing up that way,” Levi said. He couldn’t even imagine it. His birth parents weren’t exactly loving but they had taken great care of Levi and his siblings.

“It was awful,” Mason confessed. “Jason and I…we had each other at least.”

“I can’t wait to meet your brother,” Levi shared.

Mason shook his head. “He’s an asshole. But he’s also my best friend.” Mason’s eyes darted around. “I don’t know if my father realized Jason’s in town. If he’s in another room or something.”

“No,” Levi assured. “The house or wherever we are is empty except for the two of us.”

Mason relaxed. “We need to get away. If my father realized that you're not dead, he’ll… There are worse things than being killed.”

“I’ll take care of your father,” Levi vowed.

Mason tightened his fingers in Levi’s shirt. “No! What if he hurts—”

Lowering his head, Levi nuzzled Mason’s cheek gently. “I promise it’s all going to be fine.” He pulled away to meet Mason’s eyes. “I can’t leave them out here where they could come across Axel or anyone in my family. The boys…I can’t let them get hurt.”

“I understand that,” Mason said. “I don’t want them involved either. And Jason went into town. If my father—”

“I’ll make sure that you and Jason are safe as well,” Levi vowed.

“I should help you.” Mason attempted to sit up.

“No!” Levi tightened his arms, making Mason wince. “Sorry! But you’re too injured. I need to get you back to the big house. You’ll be protected there.”

“It’s… I should have killed him instead of running,” Mason said. “Jason said we wouldn’t be safe but—”

“What is it?” Levi asked gently. He didn’t want to push his mate but Levi needed to know what Mason was thinking. Levi couldn’t, wouldn’t, allow Mason’s father to live. He was too much of a threat.

“I know I was supposed to kill but…I can’t. I just can’t. I can’t kill. My father always called me weak because—”

“No, baby.” That fucker. Levi was going to take his time with Mason’s father.

“I could track,” Mason said quietly. “My father didn’t push too much after I got older and had me track…others like you.”

Levi’s heart broke for his mate. Mason was such a loving and kind person. Levi wasn’t wrong about his mate. He’d known that Mason’s heart had been pure. “It’s okay.”

“I did bad stuff, Levi,” Mason confessed. “If you can’t, won’t, forgive me, I understand. If you don’t want to mate…”

He couldn’t help but tighten his arms again and Mason cried out.

“Sorry,” Levi mumbled. “But you know about mates?”

Mason gave him a small smile, making his split lip begin to drip blood. “I was hoping that was why we are so drawn together.”

“It is,” Levi confirmed.

Mason nodded. “I wanted to be your mate so bad. I was going to tell you everything today. I wanted you to know before…before we went any further.”

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