Page 48 of Please Save Me

I knew by how he didn’t linger on the bombshell he dropped he wouldn’t remember any of this in the morning. And it was probably better that way. I shook my head with a smile. It was for the best that he opened it now.

His shoulders sunk in defeat. I’d never seen someone dread a present as much as Cameron.

I planted my hand on his shoulder. His warmth seeped through his shirt and into my palm.

Hesitantly, he removed the pink and red paper just enough to see what was inside.

It was a model tractor kit that I’d found in a hobby shop. Sophia told me that it probably wasn’t a good gift, but with everything going on, I knew it’d give me more answers than Sebastian ever would without me needing to make Cam uncomfortable.

The article I found said Calvin Waters had restored a 1940 Ford 8n. There were no pictures of the actual tractor or Calvin, but I remembered the name.

As his hands started to shake, Cameron looked like he had forgotten how to breathe. He slid off what remained of the paper and lifted the box higher, staring at it in disbelief as he swallowed.

After what felt like forever, he lowered the box to his lap and looked at me.

“Mason, what do you know?” His voice shook with an emotion I couldn’t place.

I gave him a soft smile as I thought about the best way to tell himeverythingwith as few words as possible.

I put one finger on his chest, and his pulse vibrated into my skin.

“Calvin.” My voice was even but soft.

The tractor remained in Cameron’s lap as he covered his mouth and heaved out a breath. I’d heard him tell Seb not to call him that last night, and that’s what fully confirmed my suspicion… even if part of me thought I dreamed it.

“I—Mason, I need you to know. I’d nevereverin a million years hurt you.” He stopped to run a shaky hand through his hair. “I don’t know what Seb’s told you. But, if you’re scared or worried—you can leave, and I won’t let anything—”

I placed a hand on his cheek before pressing my lips to his, mostly to tell him to shut up. Maybe it was me being stupid or the fact that I genuinely knew nothing about the case that didn’t involve Calvin. But I had complete faith that Cameron would protect me at all costs.

At first, Cam was stiff. But after a moment, he relaxed and kissed me back—but they weren’t his usual kisses.

They were longing, desperate even. Like they were his first kisses in years although I knew what wasn’t the case.

“I love you, please don’t go,” he mumbled into my lips.

That was funny, considering he just told me I could leave. Again, I chalked that up to him being drunk.

I wanted to tell him that leaving was never an option for me. But, before I could even prepare the words, a knock came at the door.

Once again, Cameron stiffened. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. I expected him to collect himself and answer the door. But that wasn’t the case.

“Go away. We’re busy.” Cameron called.

There was a moment of silence, and that’s when I remembered the shadows I’d seen outside. Realistically, it was probably Lucian or Sophia knocking to tell us they were home. Even so, I wondered who was actually at our door.

Chapter 15

Sebastian

Cameron Cole had absolutely zero right to tellmeto go away when he hadmygirlfriend in his room. If it hadn’t been for the tiny terrors following me down the hallway, I would have busted open the damn door. But, I was considerate. If that stupid behemoth was defilingmyPrincess, I didn’t want Jasper and Juniper to see anything when I opened the door. So, instead of fetching Cameron and Mason for dinner like Sophia had asked me to, I made an excuse and vanished into my apartment.

You know, I had really done Mason a favor by installing cameras throughout the house. It meant that I could protect her better. No one in this house could so much as insult her without me knowing.

I slipped off my hoodie and tossed it onto my bed before crashing into my desk chair and opening my laptop. After just a few clicks, I could open up my cameras.

At first, it was a grid with a view of all the rooms. Sophia and Lucian were completely engrossed in dinner with the kids, but they weren’t my concern. After a moment of searching, I found Cameron’s room and double-clicked on the small screen to enlarge it before leaning in to view it closer.

Mason was lying on Cameron’s bed with her knees bent while he showered her in kisses. Her laughter filled the air, and a strange feeling flooded my system.

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