He gestured after them with a savage motion. “That was because of you. You know that, don’t you?”

“How was that about me?” And this was a stranger in front of me, but then again I was reminded that he’d never not been one.

“Helen can take care of herself. She doesn’t need her two ‘little’ boys to protect her. I don’t buy what they’re selling. This had nothing to do with their mother. That leaves you, my dear.”

He started to pick up the dishes. As he threw one down in the sink, I flinched but kept my voice controlled. “If you’re that stupid to believe that, then you can think that.”

He twisted around. “Then what was that about? Since I’ve known them, those two protect you. You’re the only thing they protect.”

“They protect each other too.”

He snorted in disbelief. “They don’t need to protect each other. Have you met them? They are the two most capable men I know who are able to take care of themselves.”

I quieted. He referred to them as men. Something clicked with me. A soft grin grew, and I couldn’t help to be amazed. In one conversation Mason changed his role from boy to man. I didn’t know if that’d been his goal, probably not. Who would have a goal like that? But whatever his agenda had been, that’d been a benefit from it.

And then I said in a soft voice, “If you haven’t noticed, they don’t like people getting close either.”

He shook his head as he continued to clean the table. “You’re right about that. Mason has to pick everyone he deems worthy of his attention. I’m not stupid. I know that Logan wanted to go off on me tonight and Mason kept him in check. I wish he’d let him go. I’d like to rattle their cage like they do to everyone else.”

He continued to curse as he finished cleaning the kitchen and then changed his clothes. Twenty minutes later, he passed me in the living room to head to the garage. I dropped the pen in my hand. “Are you really going to play basketball with them?”

He threw his head back and laughed. The sound came out a bit maniacal. “Oh, you betcha, little darling. I’ve no doubt those two can run circles around me, but I’m going to make them work for it. This got personal, honeycakes.” Then he stopped talking, let out a dramatic breath, and crossed the room. He bent to kiss my forehead. “I’m sorry for getting so riled up. I’ll see you in a couple hours, okay?”

I nodded, suddenly choked up for an unknown reason.

He gave me another soft kiss on the head and brushed back some of my hair. “I know that he’s protecting you, Sam. For that, I have to respect him, but this old guy has some kick in him. I’m going to make your boyfriend work tonight and he’s going to respect me too.”

*

It was later when I felt my bedcovers pull back and Mason crawl in beside me. I turned and groaned when I felt his hair. He’d recently showered and slid his arms around me to pull me close. One of his legs fit between mine, and he tucked his head against my neck. When he started to nuzzle there, I murmured, “Who won?”

He bit back a laugh as his body jerked in reaction. “My team.”

“Did Garrett do okay?”

He didn’t respond right away and then sighed. “Yeah, he’s good. He must’ve been good when he was younger. He’s a natural athlete.”

I grinned as I heard that. “He told me he’d make you respect him for that.”

“I do.” He sounded grudgingly to do so. Then he wrapped his arms around me tighter. “What’d you do tonight?”

“Homework.” I yawned and twisted for the clock. “What time is it?”

“One in the morning.” Mason started to kiss underneath my chin and trek his way up. He shifted so he was above me again. He lingered at the corner of my mouth. “You okay from dinner?”

I slid my fingers through his hair and looked up. Desire shot through me in bursts, and I was wide awake now. “I’m a little confused at what that was?”

He grimaced, and the mood was done. He shifted to his side but pulled me close. We were face to face, and I felt his chest rise up and down at a regular rhythm. Though desire still pumped through me, my eyelids grew heavy from the shelter of his arms.

“Your bio dad was trying to kiss our asses. I don’t like that. I’d rather deal with the cards laid out front, you know?” He glanced down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I got mad and wanted to go after him. I wanted to force him to show his cards.”

“He didn’t.”

“Yeah, I know.” He grew silent. “But he will. Your dad’s good. He’s smart.”

“He’s a lawyer.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“So you got mad because my dad was trying to charm you?” I couldn’t suppress a yawn. A silly smile came to my face. “He wants to be your friend. Is that so bad? You’re still here because of that, you know.”

He grimaced again and fell down on the bed beside me. I turned to my side and pressed into him. I shivered from the contact when I slid an arm over his chest, and he held me in place. I already knew I was addicted to him, but my stomach kicked at that moment. What if something happened? Would my addiction go away?

“He’s not being honest. He wanted to charm us, make us feel comfortable, get information about whatever and then bam. The guy would turn into your father and we’d be duped into doing what he wanted. I don’t like it. He’s a snake.” Mason turned and regarded me. “I’m not lying when I say your dad was trying to play us. No one plays me, or you, or Logan.”

I frowned at that mention. “What was Logan’s deal?”

He shook his head. “He’s convinced your dad really is jerking our mom around.”

“Are you?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. If he is, then he’d better watch his back. My mom’s ruthless. Since he knows that, I don’t think he is jerking her around.”

“Why does Logan think that?”

“Because she won’t talk about him at all. She’s gone radio silent on that matter. That’s not normal for her. It makes us think something’s going on.”

“That doesn’t always mean that.” I shifted so I was more comfortable on my side and raised myself up on an elbow. I looked down at him now. He lifted a hand to trace the side of my face, and I closed my eyes at the contact. Goosebumps broke out as I struggled to remember what I’d been about to say. “Oh yeah. So just because she’s not saying anything doesn’t mean he’s what? Stringing her along? They’ve been together since she and your dad separated? That’s been two years, right?”