Page 108 of Nanny for the Firefighter

“Hey, no. You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t?—”

“But didn’t I?” I shake my head, pulling out of Mason’s arms and getting to my feet.

The room feels too small, my heart screaming in my ears and risking my ribs for how hard it’s beating. I need to get out of here. I need to keep them safe.

“You didn’t deserve to be brought into this.” I shake my head, turning away from Mason. “I did this to you, and that’s so wrong. I need to go. I need to get out of Red Lodge and take Jai far away from you.”

“Bridget,” Mason calls out, but I can’t look back at him because I need to keephimsafe this time, “don’t. You can’t just leave.”

I rush toward the kitchen, practically flinging myself at my purse and snagging it off the back of the chair at the island. I turn immediately toward the door, with every intention to get into my car and drive until I can’t see straight.

“He’s never going to stop. He’ll never quit hunting for me. This is for the best.”

As soon as my hand is on the doorknob, Mason’s hand snakes around my bicep and pulls me to a stop. I try to fight against him, but between the tears and terror, I’m just so weak right now.

“You’re not going anywhere. I will do everything in my power to protect you, Bridget. I couldn’t save you from that asshole five years ago, but I sure as hell won’t let him hurt you now. Okay?”

I look up into Mason’s eyes, the stormy gray color pulling me in and not letting go. Everything crumbles, and I fall into Mason’s arms.

He holds me to his chest as the sobs wash over me, kissing the top of my head.

“We’ll figure this out, Bridget. I promise. I won’t let Jai lay so much as a finger on you. You’re staying right here with me.”

My body shakes as I stain Mason’s shirt with my tears. I never want to leave his arms. They’re the only safe place in the world, and I just…I want that.

I want to feel safe.

“Okay,” I mumble, “okay. I won’t go anywhere.”

Mason pulls my chin up so that I’m looking up at him again. He smiles, and it’s all truth and understanding and devotion.

He kisses me softly, sealing our lips together like a promise. And I believe it. I believe Mason’s promise to do anything he can to keep me safe.

I just pray it’s enough.

THIRTY-FOUR

Mason

My blood is boiling, and I’m ready to bust through any damn door in this town to find that piece of shit. Jai is apparently so much worse than I imagined, and I’m thinking fondly of introducing his face to my fist.

It’s been an hour since Bridget told me about what he’d done and the rose left onmyfucking doorstep.

Only an hour.

I’ve practically counted the seconds, wondering if something else is going to happen or if I’m ever going to feel calm again.

Neither seems very likely right now.

Bridget is making herself a cup of tea to help calm her nerves, and I can’t just sit around and do nothing. There has to be something I can do to help keep Bridget safe.

I’m not sure why, but I get it in my head to call Easton. He’s head of security and runs a private security firm. Maybe he can help.

I snag my phone from the coffee table and pull up Easton’s number. As I wait for him to answer, I watch Bridget in the kitchen.

She’s stopped shaking, but I can tell that she’s still on edge. Worse, now she’s wiped, and I know that the poor thing just needs to relax.

Easier said than done, of course.

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