Page 33 of Obsessed

That meant better security. Usually, he’d balk at such a task but if he had to do that to keep Rain and Mouse safe? He’d give it his best try. Double-checking the locks, he readied himself and went downstairs.

Rain had curled up in the corner of the couch, holding Mouse in his arms. She was blissfully out cold; however, Rain radiated tension and raw strain circled his eyes. The way he glowered when Mason walked in had Mason’s fingers twitching, aching to take a photo, but he resisted. That whole thing about being a real person and showing vulnerability? It had to start now, especially with his muse.

Sitting down next to Rain, he forced the words out.

“My family is angry that Gran left the house to me. They’re contesting the will and they want me to settle.”

Rain started but stayed silent, processing. “So that’s why someone broke in here?”

Nodding, Mason sighed. “It was my brother. He’s their lackey. They’re trying to scare me.”

“Yourbrotherbroke in here? And ruined your fake painting? You hinted that your family wasn’t, um, nice but…damn.” Rain studied him and the lines around his eyes changed, softening. “From what you’ve told me, you deserve this house, so fuck them.”

Mason froze, his jaw falling open a little. Aside from Stanley and Ollie, he’d never talked to anyone about this particular problem but it had been hijacking his life for ages. Hearing Rain’s affirmation that this place was meant to be his? After losing Gran’s support it was like getting a new lifeline, and he latched onto it, wanting to say more. Needing to say more.

“They didn’t visit her once in the last five years she was alive. I took care of her not because she took care of me, but because I loved her. My father, my brother, and my classmates bullied me. One of them - the worst one - called me names like Gayson, which stuck.” He tried not to shudder at exposing himself, at being this raw, but Rain had more than earned this, and the empathy on his face told Mason that he’d made the right choice.

“Mason…” Reaching out, Rain rested a hand on his shoulder. Stretching, Mouse staggered over and plopped in Mason’s lap, going right back to sleep, and Mason thanked his lucky stars that she’d been found.

“This house was my sanctuary. I heard that once my grandfather died, Gran changed and shut my father and brother up whenever we visited. But I still hid under the weeping willow in the back and she’d always come out and bring me food.”

Because his spineless mother sure wouldn’t.

“My father noticed our bond and tried to keep me from seeing her, but once I got a bike, I was always here. I moved in after high school and she paid for college. I told her that I didn’t need a degree to take pictures but she said that education was important.”

Those were some of the best times of his life. After being under the malicious tyranny of his family, living with Gran had been a dream come true. They had eaten, slept, and breathed art, and between school and his personal projects, his creativity had seemed endless. After graduating, he had managed to establish himself as a local photographer, being featured several times online, and he’d been looking forward to a long successful career.

But Gran had gotten sick.

“When did she die?” Rain asked carefully.

Mason sighed, looking up at the ceiling, at her home. “Almost two years ago.”

Rain sat up straighter. “They’ve been dragging this out fortwo years?”

Hopefully, the depth of Mason’s frown told Rain everything he needed to know.

“It should be simple. Gran’s will is solid but my family is saying that I tricked her…that I abused her goodwill.” Even saying it hurt. That would be the last thing he’d ever do. He’d give the house up in a second just to have her back.

“That’scrap.Ugh,I hate them already.” Rain shook his head, his eyes rolling in exasperated anger.

“Well, they have a better lawyer than I do,” Mason muttered.

“Can you get a different one?”

“I’m going to.” At this point, Stanley couldn’t help him anymore, not after tonight.

Rain stared at Mouse, pursing his lips in thought, and after a few seconds his gaze flicked up to Mason.

“Do you think they’ll try again?”

“There is a non-zero chance,” Mason sighed, gently stroking Mouse’s forehead. “I’m going to change all the locks-”

“You need to do more than that,” Rain interrupted, sliding a bit closer. “I did a check. Changing all the locks? Yes. But you need to update them and there needs to be more. Plus, you have to get cameras - obvious ones and hidden ones. Can you afford a security system?”

Mason shook his head. He could barely afford another lawyer.

“Okay. Then I’ll just get the sign that says there’s one. It fucks with their heads.Isthere a security system here?” He shrugged cutely. “Who knows?”

---