Page 10 of Magnetic Temptations

“He could’ve qualified as a sharpshooter, he’s that good with a rifle,” Ella discloses.

“That’s saying a lot coming from Ella,” Master conveys. “She’s one of the best I’ve ever trained.”

“I won a few shooting contests,” I relay.

“A few,” Ella snorts. “Try nearly every single one he entered.”

Kruger whistles as he leans back in his chair. “What’s your range?”

“Long,” I answer, being a smartass.

“What’s the longest you’ve shot?” Judd asks.

“He’s off the charts, he’s outshot in distance, pretty much any person who he has shot against, even those recorded in the military,” Ella brags. “I want you on our team, Mason.”

Needling her, I decide to make her work to get me to say yes. “I’ll consider it. What are the benefits?”

Shifting forward, her elbows resting on her knees, she asks, “What do you want?”

“That’s a loaded question,” Judd snorts. “Take advantage, Mason, ask for it all because she’s desperate to bring you in.”

“Shut it, you,” Ella says, aiming a piercing look at Judd.

Leaning over, I ask Mane, “Are you on the table as an incentive?”

“You already have me if you want me,” she whispers.

“That’s all the incentive I need, baby girl.” Turning my head, I release a chuckle when I notice how everyone is leaning forward, all eyes on us. “When do you want me to come into the office, Ella?”

“Is Monday too soon or do you need more time to settle in?” Ella questions.

“Monday is good,” I say, nodding my head. “I’d rather get on a schedule than laze around. I don’t do well being idle.”

Whereas my area of expertise is more behind the scenes and at a desk, while being a new person I figured out how rewarding it is to be in the thick of things. The company they created helps people and saves lives, that’s something inspiring and meaningful. I crave being able to make a difference to somebody. I want the reward of watching someone escape something so barbaric and taking a leap of faith that there is a future out there waiting for them. They don’t have to stay in an abusive situation, with the right training and someone at their back who cares, they can succeed on their own, even though they’ve been told otherwise by their abuser.

“First thing we have to do is reclaim your identity, get all of the paperwork in order, and then we’ll see where you belong. If the position I have in mind works for you, then that’s the icing on the cake. We just want you to be a part of Kings in whatever capacity that will benefit not only you, but those we serve,” Ella tells me.

“I’ve wanted to be part of the King’s family since the day you saved my life,” I profess. “I would’ve been a dead man if you hadn’t taken the call the day I picked up that phone.”

“That day changed more than your life, Mason,” Mane acknowledges. “We wouldn’t have found each other if you hadn’t had the courage to ask for help.”

“As a man, that was a hard call to make,” I admit. “Most men think they can handle these things on their own and that it makes them less if they ask for someone to step in and save the day. In all truthfulness, I was out of options. I didn’t want my parents to have to come to the morgue and identify my body. That mental image is what kept me from hesitating.”

“Men don’t understand that they can be targeted by a woman,” Mane states. “It’s more of a pride thing than anything else. It’s sad that men are drugged and raped and never report it because of the stigma of our society. It’s the lack of reporting that ends up being the reason for their demise. We women are seen as the weaker sex, we’re not a threat as far as the police are concerned. More women are stalkers than is recognized because nobody wants to reach out and tell anyone what’s going on behind the scenes. It’s a damned if you do and damned if you don’t scenario.”

“We can’t change the way others think, all we can do is put ourselves out there and offer our services,” Judd states, his tone low. “Men don’t like to see themselves as victims because it’s a stain on their reputation. Until the world around us changes their points of view, and men aren’t tainted for coming forward, they keep those secrets. It needs to be publicized more than it is so that mark doesn't follow them throughout their lives.”

After that, we all go silent, lost in our own thoughts. I wasn’t kidding when I said I believe I’d be dead by now if they hadn’t agreed to step in and get me out of town. Things like what I went through need to be brought to life. Maybe it’s time for me to tell my story.

CHAPTER

SIX

MANE

Mason is old school, exceedingly traditional when it comes to certain things in relationships. All of them are sexual in nature. It’s one of the things that draws me to him. Even though we were in a clubhouse full of unwed people who are committed to each other, and have been for many years, he held strong to his convictions and we did nothing outside of some heavy petting and kissing—it’s all we’ve ever done. For some reason, all of these traits make him more appealing and make me feel valued. When it comes to me, in his words, what’s between my legs isn’t the most important thing about me. He listens to every word I speak and helps guide me through things that are troubling throughout the day.

Waking up alone in my bed at home is lonesome, but I understand where he’s coming from, sorta, and the things his parents instilled in him. They’re important to him but I sometimes get lost in my head and begin to wonder if it’s something about me that’s off putting because every man I know is led around by their swinging trunks. Then I recall some of our long conversations on the phone and that insecurity is put to rest. The ringing of my doorbell has me crawling out of bed and tossing on my silky robe then sliding my feet inside of my fluffy house shoes. Since I sleep in a tank top without shelf bras and short sleep shorts, I don’t want to show my goodies off to whoever is on the other side of my door.

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