Page 53 of My Secret Santa Mason

For the first time in what felt like forever, a sense of peace settled over me. It had been a decade of running, a decade of hiding, but all that was over now. I didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in years, I wasn’t afraid of it.

Viktor and Wallace were taken care of, and I could close the door on that part of my life. And I had Cami by my side, a reason to look toward the future.

We stood there for a moment longer, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the snow falling softly around us like a blanket of peace.

The storm had finally passed, and I’d make damn sure it stayed that way.

23

CAMI

“Do you want to come inside?” I asked. “We can join the festivities again later, I just want to take a moment to breathe.”

“Of course.”

Mason stepped in behind me and his presence filled the space, making everything feel safe, like the walls could hold out the world’s dangers as long as he was here.

He’d saved my life, coming for me when I’d thought everything was over between us. The lingering fear from the day’s events melted away the moment he closed the door behind us. The storm outside had passed, but the warmth between us had only just begun.

I slipped off my coat and boots, grateful to be home. Mason shrugged out of the Santa suit, normal clothes underneath.

“You make a good Santa,” I said with a smirk.

“It was necessary,” he said with a scowl.

“You saved me,” I added, more serious. “Thank you.”

Mason pulled me closer. “I’ll always come for you, Cami. You’ll never be in danger again.”

I shivered at the words, and Mason brushed his lips against mine. When I looked at him, his eyes were dark and filled with affection, and the look on his face was completely open and vulnerable.

“Let me make us something to drink,” I said.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

I headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll make us some hot cocoa.” I glanced over my shoulder at Mason, who stood there like a watchful sentinel.

His gaze softened, and he nodded, but his eyes never left me. Even after everything that had happened, I could see the protectiveness in his posture, the way he stayed alert, always on guard.

I busied myself with making the cocoa, pouring milk into a pot and heating it on the stove. The rich scent of chocolate filled the room, mixing with the faint smell of pine from the Christmas tree in the corner. The weight of the past was finally lifted and it left space for something new, something beautiful.

When the cocoa was ready, I poured it into two mugs and brought them over to the couch. Mason already sat there, leaning back against the cushions with a look that was a mixture of exhaustion and relief. I handed him the mug, our fingers brushing as he took it, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

“Thanks,” he murmured, taking a sip.

I sat down beside him, close enough that our knees touched, and curled up on the couch. I tucked my legs underneath me and shifted a little closer. The warmth of his body radiated through the space between us. We sipped our cocoa in silence for a few moments, the weight of everything that had happened still hanging in the air.

Finally, I took a deep breath and broke the silence. “Apparently, everything about my past life was a lie.”

“I know how that can be,” Mason said.

“Dylan was a part of his smuggling ring. Viktor said a couple of things about what he was involved in… and I think he must have gone into hiding or something because Viktor thought I could lead him to Dylan.”

“Getting involved with Viktor is a death sentence,” Mason said slowly. “But he might not have known he was doing it. Viktor is cunning as fuck, and he draws people into his poisonous orbit without their knowledge. By the time they realize what’s going on, it’s too late.”

I nodded. It sounded plausible. Dylan was good at what he did, his business had done really well, but he could be very trusting, too. Of course, he had a bad side to him, too, since he’d cheated on me. But it was very possible he’d been drawn into bad business without knowing it.

“It’s just difficult to think my past could have stuff like that in it. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me all over again.”

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