Page 48 of Mason

“You both looked hellish.” Mason slurped down half the coffee then added the milk. He and his sister-in-law Angel drank it half coffee, half milk. Keep the cream away. It had to be milk. “She still sleeping through the night?”

Lily nodded and sat at the island. “Thank God.”

Mason chuckled. For a baby, Rose sure could do some damage. He hoped to God his kid had better sense than to try to keep him and Jo up until all hours. Mason needed sleep like he needed air to breathe.

“So, did you make any decisions about Jo?”

Mason’s head snapped up and around. How did she know that?

“You think Nikoli wouldn’t tell me?” She laughed, and the sound was musical. Lily was the sweetest person he knew, and her laugh was just as sweet. Another reason she reminded them all of Snow White. He remembered that scene where she’d been singing, and all the animals had been there singing along with her. He could totally imagine Lily in the woods with all the wild animals listening to her every word and hoping she deigned to turn a smile their way. She was just that sweet.

“What do you think I should do?”

Lily cocked her head and thought for a minute. “Do you love her?”

He nodded.

“Then why is it such an issue?”

“Because it’s too soon. Jo turned the asshat down three times. What makes you think she won’t turn me down just months after we got together?”

“Because she loves you, Mason.” Lily placed her cup on the counter and gave him her full attention. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you. It’s the way I look at Nikoli. She’s not going to tell you no.”

“But what if she does?”

“Is that what’s keeping you from asking? You’re afraid she’ll say no?”

Terrified. “Maybe.”

“I spent over half my life scared to let anyone in, to let people touch me. I know what it’s like to be afraid, Mason, and I’m telling you now, letting Nikoli in was the best decision I ever made. I was terrified, but I put my trust in him, and I’m happy. Don’t let fear rule you like it did me.”

“Easier said than done,” he quipped.

“Don’t I know it.” She smiled wryly.

And she did. Lily fought her own fears every single day. She had more courage than anyone he knew.

“About time you dragged your ass over here,” Nikoli said, coming into the kitchen and pulling his shirt over his still wet hair. He stopped behind Lily, who took a deep breath before nodding. Nikoli wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her neck.

“You two need a room.”

Nik laughed. “We do, but I have some shit to show you. I found out when your laptop got hacked, and they’ve been doing some interesting things.”

“What do you mean?”

“Someone transferred funds into your bank account and then moved it again into Jo’s.”

“What the fuck?”

Nik nodded. “I called Kade, and he and Detective Archer should be here soon. Didn’t you tell me someone stole money from your frat?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m thinking that is part of this. It’s too coincidental.”

“They were going to frame me?” Anger reared up inside him, an emotion he hated, but one that had been a constant in his life the last week or so.

“Looks like, but I’ve had a bot and a camera recording every single action that’s been taken. You can clearly see no one was at the computer when these things occurred. I’ve also pinpointed the exact time you were hacked and the program that was installed to let them control your computer remotely. It’s a good one. Didn’t even slow your laptop down.”

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