“I’ll talk to Darrell, see if he tells me anything since Carson didn’t elaborate with you.”
Viola shook her head and grabbed her arm. “Don’t. If you tell Darrell, then Darrell will go to Rick and inform him you asked. It’ll get back to him that Carson talked to me, and I don’t want his ass chewed. No matter how much he deserves it for being such an irritating flirt.” She let go and eased back. “At least now we both know what’s going on, if not the details.”
“We don’t know anything other than they’re out there somewhere.”
The smile Viola gave her was calculating. “A few tracking devices and a nifty little app fixed that.” She winked.
Oh no. “And you’re worried about Carson getting in trouble? Have you lost your mind?” she whispered heatedly. “If Rick finds out—”
“He won’t. I’m watching their backs, too. If the shit hits the fan, I’ll be able to help.”
Shelby’s shoulders fell as realization dawned. “You tagged my car, too, didn’t you?” she asked, deadpan.
Viola wiggled her phone and wagged her eyebrows.
She sighed. “Don’t get caught.” Using tools of the trade on suspects was one thing…turning them on fellow agents was completely another.
“You let me worry about that. I’m watching everybody.” She checked her watch. “We should probably go. I’ll drive your car, and Dave can follow me to your house. Unless you just want to come home with us.” She frowned and made an attempt to look to Shelby’s side for a glimpse of the marks she knew marred her back. “You shouldn’t be alone. We have a guest room—”
“No.”
“Okay. I’ll stay with you. I brought a change of clothes since I wasn’t sure how long I could stay in this getup, but it’s surprisingly comfortable.” She smirked and looked down at her outfit. “We can ride in together tomorrow, and Dave can pick me up from the office.”
Shelby took a deep breath before clarifying. “I mean, no. I’m not going anywhere. Mason wants me to stay with him tonight.”
If Viola’s eyes opened any wider, they’d pop out. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
The door opened then, and they both jumped. Shelby winced at the pain.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Mason said, hanging onto the doorframe, not coming into the room. “But I really should get some medicine on your back, pet. Let me take care of that, and you can keep visiting with your friend.”
“We’re not visiting,” Viola said, venom in her voice. “I was just telling her it was time to go. Dave can help her to my car.”
Shelby glanced between the two of them. Viola looked pissed, but Mason didn’t seem bothered by it. He slowly crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “I’ve asked her to stay.”
“I don’t care.”
“Shelby?” Mason asked with a single raised eyebrow.
She licked her lips. There was no question where she’d be staying. She knew where she wanted to be. She looked at her endearing friend. “I’ll be fine. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Viola stared at her as if she was going to say something, or maybe communicate with her eyes. It didn’t matter. Her reply would be the same no matter how Viola relayed her message. “All right.” She leaned in and hugged her, careful not to touch her back.
When she stood, Shelby gave her a reassuring smile and watched as she walked away. By the slight smirk on Mason’s face once she cleared the doorway, Shelby was sure her friend had given him the stink-eye on her way out.
He came toward her, and her body tried to come alive, which only intensified the pain. The blood rushing in her veins made her back throb something awful.
“Are you ready for me to take care of you, baby?” he said softly, and kissed her forehead.
He was so tender, and in that moment, all she could manage was a nod in response.
Mason watched for any signs of discomfort as he placed Shelby on her feet by his bed. He would have lain her down if not for her clothes. He needed her bare to tend to her welts. Without outlining his intent, he pulled the blanket from her, tossed it to the edge of the bed, and proceeded to untie the apron from behind her neck, never taking his gaze off hers. He wondered if she realized she watched him so openly, but he worried she’d stop the moment he broke the silence.
So he didn’t.
With her apron now puddled on the floor, her breasts were exposed. He dared not look.
Unzipping her short dress had been easy even without the benefit of watching what he was doing. Once it fell free, he clutched her hands and coaxed her to the side. She stepped out of it easily, and he squatted before her, looking up as she looked down at him, still locked in his gaze. He slid his hands up her legs and over her thighs to her panties to quickly divest her of them as well.
Now that she was completely naked, it was time to turn her away from him. He missed the connection before it was even broken.
“Lie down on your tummy,” he softly ordered.
She turned and climbed onto the bed, her abraded back a glaring beacon, calling him to fix her. He wasn’t a sadist, though he didn’t judge those who were. He enjoyed some pain when mixed with pleasure, but his fascination with it wasn’t to the extent of Emory’s. His business partner thrived on the pain, but hadn’t found anyone strong enough to endure what he needed to give. As long as Mason had known him, he’d always had to back off before he was ready. The man would never push a sub beyond her limit, would never take his skill too far with one, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t missing that feeling of completeness.
Though, right now,
