MasonsRule-ARe by Eliza Gayle Read Free Book Online Page A

living space, he pulled one of the chairs from the dining table and seated her. “The view from here is even better.” Soon the lights of uptown Charlotte would sparkle against the background of the nighttime sky, but more importantly, from this vantage point he easily saw the comings and goings of Purgatory. He felt no need to watch over the place, but it gave him a comforting sense of connection to be so close.  
    Knight had been smart to warn him about preserving their private members identity. He and his brothers needed to keep their distance until the attention on them died down. He made a mental note to call a meeting tomorrow and then put it out of his mind. He had more important things that needed his attention tonight.  
    “The whole place is really stunning. I love all the shades of blue.”
    “I can’t take any credit it for it. My secretary, who likes to think she controls my life, hired a decorator while I was away on a business trip.”
    “She must really care for you.”
    He shrugged. “I think she’s suffering from empty nest syndrome even though her kids have been grown and gone for many years now. I’m not sure how I feel about playing the surrogate son.”
    She smiled. “That’s sweet. I think I would like her.”
    Mason stopped and stared. When the silence stretched the uncomfortable point he finally replied. “I think she would like you too.” And she would. The woman spent a lot of time hinting about how he needed a wife and family. All of which he’d ignored until now.
    “Do you like Italian?” he asked.
    She blinked a couple of times before answering. “Yes, I love it.”
    “Perfect. I’ve got a homemade ziti in here that is to die for.” He moved into the kitchen.
    “You cooked?”  
    The surprise in her voice almost made him laugh out loud. “No. I can make a mean steak, but my culinary skills don't go much beyond that. I have a service that comes in and prepares meals for dates I will be here for a meal, which isn't often and I have a long list of take-out services who are happy to deliver. In this case, I share a butler with one other tenant and she is always trying to cook for me. So today I asked her to prepare something special."
    "It smells delicious."
    He walked over the table and served the food, taking the seat directly to her right. "I don't often allow wine on a night a scene may take place but I think tonight we'll make an exception for one glass."
    "Okay." She had picked up her napkin and was now twisting it between her hands, making her nerves obvious to him. He hoped a glass of wine and some easy conversation would be enough to settle her."
    After plating both their dinners he said, "Go ahead and eat. You need to get your energy up."
    "You keep saying that..."  
    And he bet every time he did, her stomach knot twisted tighter. They had a lot of that to work through, but the best way to get through it would be the first scene. Until she got an idea of his expectations, she would continue to wonder.  
    "Is it a big deal for you to leave your apartment for thirty days? Do I need to have someone care for anything?"
    She shook her head a little too strongly while she chewed her food. "No. It's not a big deal and I'm sure if any issues come up my landlord will contact me. He's a very good communicator."
    The soft downturn of her mouth at the landlord comment did not sit well with him. There was definitely more to that story. "I'm serious, Miss Adams. Anything and everything that can or will affect you over these thirty days is my responsibility. If something needs to be done, I expect you to tell me."
    Her forehead wrinkled and her nose scrunched up. "I'm fully able to handle any issues outside this relationship. I don't expect anything to come up, but if it does I'm capable of taking care of it." She didn't quite snap at him, but her tone was chilly.
    Time to set some more ground rules.
    "You're not understanding me. I'm absolutely sure you can take care of whatever