Page 43 of Caught in the Crossfire

Mason woke when Linc walked in and said, “Mase, Ethan’s here.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Nicole woke with a start when she heard Mason and Linc speaking in low tones in the hallway. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and shoved her feet into her running shoes, thankful she’d chosen to sleep fully dressed again. “Mason?” Looking at the love of her life, she saw the worry in his eyes. “What’s wrong? Is it another attack?”

He shook his head. “Ethan’s here.”

Nicole glanced at her watch and frowned. “It’s after 1:00 a.m. He should be at home in bed. Why is he here?”

“I don’t know, but the reason can’t be good.”

She threaded her fingers through his. “Let’s find out what he wants.”

“You’re tired and still healing, Nicole. Go back to bed.”

“No way. Linc, I hope you have the Fortress lawyers on speed dial because if they arrest Mason, I want the toughest lawyer on the planet to have his back.”

He grinned. “Maddox only hires barracuda lawyers to defend his employees and their families.”

“Excellent.” She headed for the living room.

The police chief turned to face them, a grim expression on his face. “We need to talk, Mason.”

“About what?”

“Where you’ve been for the past four hours.”

Mason stiffened. “What happened?”

“We can do this here or at the station. Your choice.”

Nicole’s hand tightened around Mason’s. Not good. Something bad must have happened. If Ethan took him to the station to question him, Nicole wouldn’t be able to hear the questions or offer Mason moral support. “Talk to Mason here. Would you like some coffee, Ethan?” Maybe sitting around a kitchen table for a question-and-answer session would take the formality out of Ethan’s interrogation.

“I would appreciate a cup.”

“Come back to the kitchen. I’ll brew a fresh pot if we’re out.” She motioned for the men to take a seat at the table. A glance at the carafe revealed a full pot of coffee.

She grabbed two mugs, filled them, then set them in front of the men who faced each other across the table in silence. She sat beside Mason and wrapped her hand around his. “What’s going on, Ethan?”

The police chief focused on Mason. “Where were you from 8:00 until midnight?”

“Here.”

“I assume you have people who will verify your location?”

“I can,” Nicole said immediately.

Mason kissed the back of her hand. “Your testimony wouldn’t hold much weight in court since you love me. Also, you can only account for a few minutes. You fell asleep against me for two hours before Linc arrived. I could have slipped out without you knowing I was gone.”

“I need a timeline, Mason,” Ethan said.

“Why?”

“Someone is accusing you of assault.”

Outraged, Nicole said, “That’s ridiculous. Mason would never do that.”

Mason squeezed her hand in warning. “Who’s the victim?”

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