Chapter9
977 Words
LINES WE CAN’T CROSS
The car ride back to Mason’s estate was silent.
Valerie could still feel the weight of the ropes around her wrists, even though they were gone.
But the worst part?
She could still feel his touch.
Mason’s fingers had only brushed against hers for a second. A fleeting moment of warmth, reassurance.
But it lingered.
Everything about him lingered.
She turned to look at him. His face was unreadable, his hands steady on the wheel, his posture relaxed.But she knew better.
Mason Kingston was never relaxed.
And tonight, he had done something that wasn’t him.
He had made a deal.
For her.
She swallowed hard. "You didn’t have to do that."
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t glance her way. "Yes, I did."
Valerie shifted in her seat. "Since when do you negotiate?"
No answer.
She pressed on. "Since when do you trade power for someone else?"
Mason exhaled through his nose, still staring at the road ahead. "You're asking too many questions."
Valerie clenched her fists. "And you never give any damn answers."
The car screeched to a stop.
Her breath caught as Mason turned to her, his dark eyes like fire.
"Do you think I don’t know what you’re trying to do?" His voice was quiet, dangerous. "You want me to say it. To tell you why I made that deal. To tell you why I came for you."
Valerie held his gaze, refusing to back down. "Yes."
A muscle in his jaw ticked. "You already know the answer."
Silence stretched between them, thick, suffocating.
Then, finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Get out of the car."
Valerie hesitated.
Mason’s grip on the wheel tightened. "Inside. Now."
She swallowed her frustration and pushed open the door.
But as she stepped inside the grand estate, she knew one thing for certain.
This conversation was far from over.
The estate was quiet.
Too quiet.
Vyaleria followed Adrian inside, her pulse hammering in her ears.
She had spent weeks in this house, learning its cold walls, its secrets.
But tonight, everything felt different.
Masin removed his jacket, tossing it onto the back of a chair. He moved to the bar in the corner of the room, pouring himself a drink.
She watched as he downed it in one swallow.
Valerie crossed her arms. "Did it bother you? Making that deal?"
His grip on the glass tightened.
She stepped closer. "Giving up power for me?"
His jaw clenched. "It wasn’t power."
Valerie scoffed. "It was territory. Influence. Control. Isn’t that what you care about?"
Mason turned, his gaze locking onto hers. "No."
She froze.
Because there was something in his voice.
Something raw.
Something real.
Mason exhaled sharply, setting the glass down with a quiet clink.
"I don’t regret it," he said, his voice low.
Valerie’s chest ached. "Why?"
He took a step closer. "You already know why."
Her pulse pounded. "Say it."
Another step. "No."
Her breath hitched. "Coward."
Mason I'msmirked, but there was no amusement in his eyes. "You think I’m afraid?"
She tilted her chin up, challenging him. "Yes."
Silence.
Then—suddenly—he moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
One second, she was standing her ground. The next, her back was against the wall, Mason towering over her, his hands braced on either side of her head.
"You don’t know what you’re asking for, Valerie." His voice was a whisper, his breath warm against her skin.
She swallowed hard, her heart slamming against her ribs.
"Then tell me."
Mason’s gaze dropped to her lips, just for a second.
Then—he pulled away.
Cold air rushed between them, and Valerie’s stomach twisted at the loss of his warmth.
Mason turned his back to her, running a hand down his face. "Go to bed."
Her fingers curled into fists. "That’s it?"
No response.
Just silence.
A wall she couldn’t break through.
Not yet.
Valerie didn’t go to bed.
She sat by the large window in her room, staring at the moonlit garden below.
She should have been exhausted.
She should have felt safe.
But all she could think about was him.
And the way he had looked at her tonight—like she was something dangerous.
Like she was something he wanted.
A soft knock at the door made her jolt.
Her heart leaped as she stood, opening it.
Rocco stood there, his expression unreadable.
"Boss wants to see you."
Valerie swallowed. "Where?"
"The study."
She hesitated. "Did he say why?"
Rocco shook his head. "Just go."
Valerie exhaled, nodding.
As she walked down the darkened hall, her pulse quickened.
Because she knew, deep down—
This time, Mason wouldn’t walk away.
She found him sitting behind his desk, fingers steepled.
He didn’t look at her as she stepped inside.
Valerie crossed her arms. "You wanted to talk?"
Mason exhaled. "Sit."
She hesitated.
But then, slowly, she obeyed.
He stared at her for a long moment, eyes unreadable.
Then—finally—he spoke.
"I don’t make deals, Valerie."
She swallowed. "I know."
"I don’t negotiate. I don’t compromise. And I sure as hell don’t give up territory for anyone."
Silence.
Then, his next words came, quiet.
"But I did it for you."
Her breath caught.
Mason leaned forward, his gaze dark. "I don’t regret it. And I’d do it again."
Valerie’s chest ached. "Why?"
A muscle in his jaw ticked. "Because you matter."
Her lips parted.
Mason shook his head, almost to himself. "You got under my skin. And I hate it. But I can’t change it."
Valerie’s heart pounded.
Because this?
This was the closest thing to a confession Mason Kingston would ever give.
And it was real.
She leaned forward slightly. "Then stop running from
it."
Mason exhaled, his hand twitching against the desk.
Then—he reached for her.
And this time, he didn’t pull away.
- Writer
