Page 73 of Open Arms

“Chloe!” Mason leapt from the cab, his face etched with concern. In an instant his strong arms were around me, enveloping me in warmth and comfort. I sank into him, the adrenaline draining from my body.

Over my shoulder, I saw Jamie emerge from the woods. He staggered to a stop, confusion and anger warring across his features.

“Get in the truck, now!” Mason said urgently. Keeping himself between me and my brother, he helped me into it through the open door. I scrambled over the gearshift just as Jamie let out a guttural yell and charged toward us.

Mason slammed the door shut. “Stay down,” he commanded as he faced my brother. More trucks arrived, and police cars, but before anything else could happen, a shot rang out.

“Mason!” I screamed, lifting my head up.

I peeked over the dashboard, my heart in my throat. Mason stood motionless, facing my brother. Jamie had stopped short, the gun trembling in his grip.

“Don’t do this, man,” Mason said, his voice steady.

My brother’s face contorted in anguish. “I have to. It’s the only way to end this curse.”

Mason took a slow step forward. “The only curse here is the one in your mind. You don’t have to go through with this.”

Jamie wavered, the gun dipping slightly. Behind him, I could see Walker and the sheriff edging closer, their own weapons drawn.

Mason moved toward my brother, hands raised. “Walk away now and we’ll get you help. No one else needs to get hurt today.”

Jamie stared at him, emotions warring across his face. For amoment, it seemed he would surrender. Then his face hardened, his grip tightening on the gun.

“No. It has to end here. I won’t let this curse continue,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

Before anyone could react, Jamie swung the gun up and pressed it under his own chin.

“No!” Mason and I both shouted. Mason lunged toward him, but it was too late. Jamie’s finger squeezed the trigger. The sound of the gunshot cracked through the forest.

I screamed, covering my mouth in horror as my brother’s body collapsed to the ground. Mason was frozen in place, staring down at Jamie’s lifeless form.

Everything after that was a blur. The police swarmed in, Walker pulled me from the truck and wrapped me in his strong embrace, forcing my eyes away from the scene.

A moment later, Mason shifted me into his own arms.

“I’m so sorry, baby.”

I clung to him, sobbing into his chest as the reality sank in. I felt him kiss my head, over and over, muttering words of apologies, of thanks, of love. I didn’t know how to handle the adrenaline that still coursed through my veins, but I knew more than anything, I needed Mason. I held on tight and refused to let go. He didn’t make me.

After a while, he carried me back to his truck and set me down on the soft leather seat, kissing my forehead.

“You’re okay. You’re gonna be okay.”

And I knew I would be. But first, I had to face what happened.

My brother tried to kill me.

But now he was dead by his own hand.

It was over.

29

Mason

The kitchen wasa battlefield of color and joy, Abby’s laughter the perfect soundtrack. I balanced on a chair, stretching to hang the “Welcome Home” banner across the window, the morning sun throwing a cascade of light onto the freshly cleaned countertop.

“Higher, Daddy!” Abby commanded, her little hands firmly planted on her hips, a bossy little foreman.

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