After an extensive internal struggle, I finally decide to slide that little comment into our dinner conversation. It sounded very ominous, but I need him to clarify. I hope I'm not reading too much into it. More like praying, I can't tell the difference anymore these days.
" What did you mean when you said that, you are a terrible person, and why should I be worried?" He pauses mid-bite and smirks at me. His eyes glitter in the light streaming through the window, giving his features a healthy glow. He is so handsome that it hurts to even look at him. No wonder women fell at his feet left and right. Including myself. When he wants to be, he is absolutely irresistible. His charm can blind even with prescription-grade sunglasses.
" We have a long road ahead of us, Canim. I might have to do things that won't sit well with you," He trails off eyeing his plate instead of me. His gaze rarely shies away from mine, and I need him to look at me.
" I've done pretty terrible things throughout the years," He loses himself in his thoughts, probably reminiscing about all the things he has done to get to where he is today. Rags to riches is not an easy path, and I don't doubt that Mason has shied away from making questionable decisions when he found himself trapped between an anvil and a hammer.
As much as I'd love to hear the stories of how he rose from the ashes, it's probably not the best time to dredge out the past.
Sliding my hand into his I give him a little squeeze," What do you mean?" I'm slightly concerned that he might be considering doing away with the mayor and Ava just to get himself out of this mess. Honestly, it's not worth it.
Lips presses tight, he lowers his fork holding hand and leans back in his chair, chances a glance at the window, and I'm starting to think that he is planning his escape so he doesn't have to answer that particular question.
" It will get ugly," He breaks the stifling silence between us," I don't want you to get caught in any of it. For your sake, whatever happens, sit tight and wait for the right time," That puts a damper on my appetite, so I slide the plate away and give him my full attention.
" Could you be a bit more specific?" He gives my hand a small squeeze and locks eyes with me.
" This is between me and him. It has nothing to do with you, but the mayor is trying his best to put my business under. Even though he agreed to relinquish the portion of land he owns in the Quarter. He is doing his best to put me on a leash just in case I change my mind," He takes a deep breath and exhales through his nose. The flare of his nostrils tells me that this has him on edge. The fact the mayor is poking at him, incessantly.
" Will it work? "He shakes his head but it lacks conviction.
" No. I'm the sole owner of my business and he doesn't have enough pull to mess with my clients. Unless he starts a denigration campaign against me, but that would be odd since I'm his future son-in-law," He grimaces in disgust at the last part, as if it pained him to say those words.
" Alright. The best defense is attack. As I'm sure you already know. Can you tell what you have on the mayor so far?" We are good at planning and scheming. Even though this is purely out of need, not out of sheer pleasure.
" Emebezzeling public funds, and forging official documents," Wow. I didn't see that one coming., " Among other things, but those are not worth much when it comes to indicting him as a public figure. He has been doing it for over half a decade now. His daughter has very expensive tastes, and he has made a few bad investments that tanked over the years. Some of these are just rumours. Carter and Adam are looking for evidence since I agreed to marry Ava," He was planning to get out of it all along. I don't know why I'm surprised at the knowledge. The only way to hold down a man like Mason, is if he allows to.
" That sounds like a good start," I absently say, trying to process the information.
" I'm pretty sure he has contaminated the water supply in the Quarter a few times over the years. There were a few outbreaks of typhoid fever over the years. It never spread beyond the Quarter, but claimed many lives due to lack of medical attention. Which was held back at his order. Again this is pure speculation, and some of it, I might be able to back with documentation. Hopefully, Adam will be able to find someone who will talk for the right amount of money," That brings a spark of hope. His plate is already overflowing, when you add what I have coming for me, I resolve that we have our hands full.
" Don't worry, Canim. In time all will fall into place, " He kisses the back of my hand and I can't help but swoon at the man in front of me. I thought it would be nice to be loved by Mason. I had no idea that it would feel this good.
" We should talk about something else. This is depressing, and I'm in a good mood. I hope you're ready to resume your training. Don't think for a second that I will go easy on you, just because you put out," He gives me a playful smile and resumes eating his cold pasta.
" Eat, Petal. You'll need your strength and not just for training, " He chuckles to himself and scowls at me when I kick him in the shin under the table.
" I think I'm strong enough," I smirk at him while he rubs his shin.
" So aggressive," He hums, licking the fork suggestively with the flat of his tongue. Bitting my lip, I squeeze my thighs together at the memory of him, buried between my legs. Heat surges, rushing through my limbs, coiling low in my belly.
He smirks, and winks, when he notices the hitch in my breath. One minute I was worried sick about what we would have to face and the next, I'm thinking of all the ways he could use that tongue to pleasure me. Quite the contrast.
" Feeling a little flushed?" He asks merrily, knowing full well the effect he has on me.
" No," I breathe with a strange pitch in my voice that I don't even recognise.
Chuckling, he pushes the plate in front of me," Eat, Canim. And after, we will warm up for training," The glint in his eyes tells us that we will go for a different kind of stretching to warm up.
Surrendering to his charms, I pick up my fork and finish the pasta, without taking my eyes off him, eating in a very suggestive manner, that has him groaning, and shifting in his seat.
I love this Mason. Easy going, playful and all mine. Sort of.