Page 15 of The Hero's Bride
Thalia laughed. “What did your father do then?”
“I don’t think he ever came up to the second floor again. Not with a four-foot lizard who enjoyed chasing people down the hall, trying to catch their feet. Tiny loves socks. Honestly, though, he became my best friend. I had a reason for looking forward to going home at the end of the day.”
She smiled at the image his words created. “I can’t wait to meet him. Where are your parents now?”
“They still live in California, carrying on the same lifestyle as far as I know. They never were very responsible, and I guess I grew up fast, taking care of them and their band mates when they got blackout drunk. I joined the Navy out of school. My parents thought that was ridiculous seeing they had enough money to set me up, but I wanted something for myself. Something I could be proud of. We had a Navy SEAL visit our high school, and I thought it was the coolest job in the world, so I went for it. I completed BUD/S and have been on the teams ever since.”
“Do you have any other family?” She could recall how alone she’d felt when she left Colima, but she’d been nearly sixteen. Mason had grown up with two parents and yet, he’d been alone in the world. She was glad the iguana brought him some comfort.
“Closest thing I have to family is Sully and Jude. There’s also a real nice lady and her grandson who live across the hall from me. They take care of Tiny when I’m gone. God, she’s going to be surprised when I bring you home. They’re gonna love you.”
His words warmed her, even though flutters filled her stomach at the thought of meeting them. “How do you know?” she asked softly and immediately wished she hadn’t asked.
“They’re good, honest people. They’ll like you because, Thalia, you’re pretty damn likable.” His eyes moved off the road, momentarily landing on her face.
What she would’ve given to be able to interpret his expression. She glanced down at her hands, unsure of how to accept his flattery. “That’s kind of you,” she murmured. “Are there many women who will be upset that you’re pretending to be my fiancé?”
A scoff chuffed from his lips. “No, Thalia. There’s no one. If there had been, I’d never have suggested to sponsor you. I’ve dated here and there, but nothing serious or memorable. And you?”
She’d opened herself up to that question by asking him. It was only fair to answer honestly, but heat flooded her cheeks all the same. She shook her head. “No, never.”
“Never?” Mason asked.
“No. In Colima, I was wary of everyone. It seemed as if people were only ever trying to take from each other to survive. It’s dangerous on the streets, especially for a girl. Then in Texas, well, I couldn’t leave the estate and even if I wanted to it certainly wouldn’t have been to seek out a man.”
“Shit. That was inconsiderate of me. Your life hasn’t been your own for a very long time because of the external pressures you’ve had to face.” A look of regret passed over his features.
She glanced at her hands clasped in her lap and was struck with the realization that they’d grown up worlds apart. While the girls he went to school with most likely had time to fix their hair and worry about their reflection, boys, and makeup, she’d grown up with one goal—survival. She’d never thought further than the next meal she would forage for her and her father. Never dared to dream they’d get out of the extreme poverty they faced, because it was too overwhelming. “I haven’t spent much time thinking about relationships.” She hated the bite to her tone. “Other things were always more important.”
“Yeah, like staying alive.” He sighed. “Shit. I feel like I’m fucking this up. I’ve seen extreme poverty, desperation, and violence, but I’m lucky that I didn’t experience it growing up. I just want you to know I have your back, but I don’t expect you to take my word, so I’ll show you until you start to believe you have someone in your corner.”
“When I told you I trusted you last night, I meant it. I’m just feeling so many confusing things. Torn between wanting to take your offer of help and scared to death that the opportunity for a better life will be pulled away, because I haven’t done anything to deserve it.” He took the wheel with his other hand, freeing up the one closest to her, then reached out. She placed her hand in his open palm and closed her eyes at the connection coursing through her. A safe, wholesome connection.
“You’re not alone in those confusing feelings, although maybe they’re about different things. I’m torn between honesty and fear of making you nervous. I want to take more time to get to know you, Thalia.”
Thalia’s heart beat faster. She wanted to ask if he wanted to know her as a friend or something more but the past month had been full of adrenaline and fear, so she was cautious to voice her thoughts. If she was misreading what Mason was saying, she’d be embarrassed and hurt. Her pulse might kick up a notch when he was near, but that didn’t mean his did, too. He’d probably been surrounded by his pick of beautiful women who had families, homes, and careers while she was simply muddling her way through life the best she could. Still, she couldn’t deny the urge to be close to him and not just for the safety and protection he offered. There was a physical draw between them. She was afraid of falling for the illusion of love and unity, when Mason was only pretending to be her fiancé. Forgetting that small detail would be a very big disaster for her heart.
Chapter Eight
Ten hours hadnever passed so quickly. Red was at ease with Thalia, and the conversation flowed naturally. He was grateful she’d opened up about her feelings and knew they came from different worlds. She might trust him on the surface, but it would take time and effort to show her he was committed to their friendship, no matter where it led. He enjoyed getting to know more about her and was enraptured by her attention on the ride.
Sully had slept like the dead, and they’d had to turn up the radio to drown out the sound of his snoring. They had driven around Nuevo Laredo, not wanting to stop due to increased cartel crime, and traveled up to Piedras Negras, Coahuila. The area was generally a safer border town where they could spend the night, or a few, if needed. When Jude gave them the all clear, they could cross into Texas through Eagle Pass. He and Sully had both come in and out of Mexico through the town before and he chose a modest hotel that was an international chain, preferring the security offered.
“Wake up, sunshine,” Red called into the back as he parked the Jeep close to the main entrance of the hotel.
His teammate sat up, rubbing the top of his hair with one hand and covering a yawn with the other. “You drove the whole way through?”
“Went by fast. I had good company.” He smiled at Thalia, meaning every word. He slid out of the driver’s seat and rounded the car, taking Thalia’s hand as she stepped out. Sully followed as they walked into the lobby. A blast of conditioned air welcomed them into the open space, and they booked two connecting rooms at the desk.
“Each room has double beds,” Sully said as they took the elevator to the fourth floor. “Red and I can bunk together, and you can take the other.” With a jerk, the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open.
They walked out onto the carpeted hallway, and he scanned the room numbers to ensure they were headed in the right direction. “We’ll keep the door between unlocked, in case we need to get to you quickly.” Again, her chin tucked to her chest.
He’d learned by her expressions that Thalia was sensitive to others perceiving her as weak or needing help. In a way, he’d often felt like less in the eyes of his parents but never by the community surrounding him. He couldn’t pretend to know how it felt to be let down by society as a whole. To be ignored or even vulnerable because you weren’t fortunate enough to have clean clothes or a place to call home. What it was like to exist to serve others because there was no other choice. The Days had a daughter around the same age as Thalia, but they didn’t see her as a teenager with dreams and aspirations. They simply saw her as their property. He wanted to help Thalia regain her autonomy. For her, that wouldn’t happen through praise or compliments, although he wanted to give her those, too. Her self-worth was reliant on her ability to contribute and make choices. To feel like she had control over her environment. “And if you feel like something’s off or notice anything, you can help Sully and me by giving us a heads-up.”
She nodded, holding herself a little straighter. “I appreciate you both and everything you’ve done to help.”
“None of that.” Sully grinned and swiped the key card. “I’ll clear the rooms this time.”
