Page 81 of Sapphire Spring

“What do you mean youthinkNaser is okay?” Masonasked.

“Well, we understand you two have been spending some timetogether, and that has us intrigued. My name is Connor Harcourt, and this is mysecurity director, Logan Murdoch.”

The guy named Logan ran his finger along the kitchenisland’s marble waterfall edge. “This place issick,” he whispered.

“Babe, focus,” Connor whispered back.

Logan turned and extended his hand to Mason. Mason was aboutto take it when Connor batted Logan’s arm down.

“Do you always hit your security director?” Mason asked.

Connor pursed his lips. “Let’s not be dramatic. That wasmore like a tap.”

“Do you always call himbabe?” Mason asked.

“He’s also my fiancé. But if he doesn’t stay on message, hewill not stay my fiancé either.”

“Sorry, this is just a really cool house,” Logan muttered.

“Did Naser mention me at all?” Connor asked.

Mason nodded enthusiastically. “He did say his best friendwas like a carbon copy of him, only mayonnaise-colored, entitled, and not greatat math.”

Logan sputtered with laughter.

Connor crossed his arms over his chest. “Look, I’m here fora very simple reason.”

Mason opened his arms. “I’m all ears.”

“I’m aware of the complicated history between you and Naser.So complicated, in fact, that my closest friend in the world saw fit to keephis lunchtime assignation with you a secret, so, please, be aware that if youdo anything to hurt Naser Kazemi…” Connor paused for emphasis, took anotherstep toward him. “Logan will kill you.”

“Wait, what?” Logan muttered.

“He will. He’s a trained killer.”

Logan cleared his throat. “Veteran of the United StatesMarine Corps is more like it, but I do have extensive training. That said, Ithink the purpose of this visit is more to say…” Logan cleared his throatagain, then met his fiancé’s glare. “What’s the purpose of this visit again,babe?”

Connor rolled his eyes. “To scare him. Great job, StaffSergeant Murdoch.”

“I’m terrified,” Mason said, “promise. You guys wantsomething to drink? I’ve got juice, juice, and more juice. And sparkling water.And Diet Coke. And then juice.”

Logan closed in on the fridge alongside him. “Ever thoughtabout adding sparkling water to the juice?”

“Damn. That’sactuallyagreat idea. Let’s do it.”

The refrigerator door jerked out of Mason’s grip. ConnorHarcourt had pushed it shut from the other side. Suddenly, he and Mason wereeye to eye. “The point of this visit,” Connor said softly, “is to let you knowthat Naser didn’t have a lot of friends in high school, which means he didn’thave a lot of people who had his back. Now he does. Got it?”

Despite his size, the guy had spunk. He also had a giantfiancé standing a few feet away, but Mason figured Connor Harcourt didn’tsuffer fools even when Logan Murdoch was nowhere around. Mason was no fool, andonly a fool would considerpissingoff the best friendof the guy he was trying to make things right with. A guy whose imminentarrival would be the best part of his day.

“Loud and clear,” Mason said softly.

But Connor didn’t move or break eye contact.

“I think the point’s been made, babe,” Logan finally said.“Let’s have some juice.”

“With bubbles,” Mason added to try to lighten the mood.

It seemed like it might work, then he heard the front dooropen.

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