Page 133 of The Heir

If I catch them fucking I will shut this whole baby shower down.

"I just saw him maybe ten minutes ago," Madre says, giving me a curious glance. "Why mijo, what's wrong?"

I shake my head and step around her. "Nothing, mama. I'll be back to check on Mariah in a minute." Stopping in my tracks, I turn to look back behind me. "Don't let any strangers hold her."

Mardre rolls her eyes at me and just turns and walks away without responding, headed to where my father stands talking to Brody at the drinks station. Seeing Isobel is firmly engrossed with Teresa by the patio doors, I do a sweep of the lower level, not seeing them. I walk up the stairs, bristling with anger.

I bank a left and open every door to the bedrooms and even the bathroom and laundry rooms, not seeing them. I double back and then stop at the last door, pushing through where I see Mason sitting on a sofa with his feet kicked back on an ottoman looking at his phone. He turns his head towards me, arching a brow.

"Figured you'd be showing up any time now," he says in a bored voice, turning back to his phone.

Walking deeper into the room, I see Melody sitting on the couch with her legs tucked under her, immersed in a book. She looks up with a small smile. "Hi, Henny."

"Hey, Melody. Why aren't you down with everyone else?" I say, walking towards the couch where I sitdeterminedly, because I won't be leaving them alone together. I look over at Mason and see his face has flushed slightly darker, the only tell he's giving me he's pissed off with me.

"Mom and I came a little early to help set up. We've been here for hours. Though, I'm not sure why," Melody mutters, turning a page. "Teresa has staff to set up whatever she wants."

I grunt softly. "Maybe she just wants to feel useful. Nothing wrong with that." Turning my head, I put my gaze on hers. "Hey Mel, do you think you can give me and Mason a second to talk? Isobel brought those deviled eggs you love so much. Might want to go down and get them before they're cleaned out."

"Ohh, Mase, you want a couple?" she asks, leaning forward to place the book on the table in front of us.

"Sure. I'll take some." His eyes flick to hers, watching as she gets up and smoothes her dress down her legs. He keeps his eyes on hers as she bites her lip.

"Want a sprite?" she asks, but it's much more hesitant than how she asked him if he wanted deviled eggs. My brow rises, my gut telling me something's up with that.

"Hmhm," he hums, a spark enters his eyes. But I can't place why.

She walks out of the library, leaving us alone.

"What do you want?" Mason asks in annoyance, looking back at his phone. Anger rises swift and hot in my chest.

"You don't have the fucking right to act so pissed with me after everything that's happened," I say, trying to keep the malice out of my voice. It took a lot for me to forgive him for his hand in Isobel's disappearance.

His eyes go back to mine. "Hendrix, I'm doing everything you asked.Everything.I haven't set atoeout of line."

"I know. Now I'm going to ask you for one more thing."

The silence swells between us, and he places his hand slowly on his thigh before clenching it. Throwing a hasty look at the door, his eyes flash with something akin to panic as they flit back to meet mine. "I won't give her up. You can ask anything you want from mebutthat," he says harshly, his eyes tight on mine.

A new expression enters his eyes. Sadness.

It's when I realize just how much Melody means to him.

"No, I don't want you to give her up," I say. Relief drapes his features, but I lean forward, clasping my hands together between my knees. "But I do want to ask you to wait until she's through with college."

His eyes narrow. "Hendrix, that's four and a half fucking years away," he hisses. "No!"

"She needs time," I snap. "Look at how hard she took Isobel's disappearance." Mason sits back in his seat and scrubs a hand down his face, letting out a frustrated groan. "Look at how every time we get together she secludes herself from the rest of us. She needs time to come into herself, Mason."

He exhales a deep breath, his eyes sliding to the library windows and staring.

"You don't want to get her, Mason, and then she breaks your heart because she hasn't experienced anything of the world," I say, softening my voice. "I'm not just worried about her. I'm worried about youtoo."

Shaking his head he proceeds to stay silent. After a few minutes, he pierces me with his gaze. "I'm opening up a finance company under King Dynasty. I need a floor in your building."

I pause, staring for long drawn out seconds, not expecting this request."Okay…"I say slowly. "Are you ready?"

He nods just as Melody enters the room. "I've been ready."

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