My mouth was open so wide a whale could jump through it. “Say what?”
Mason nodded, his dimpled smile reminding me of a beautiful sunrise. “You’re looking at a free man, baby!”
Whooping for joy, I jumped up from the bed and ran to his side, hugging him against me. “So when can we go back home?!” I cried.
“Right away, but,” Mason raised a finger to calm me, “there’s one catch, but it’s not a big deal.”
My jubilation evaporated like a drop of water on a hot day, even though he’d just said it was nothing serious. “What?”
“I have to agree to become a Cyber Security Consultant,” he informed, “and if I’m ever caught hacking again,” he made a slit motion across his throat, “the deal is off. I go to jail. Shadow isn’t going to like it — I owed him a favor, but he’ll have to get over it.”
It didn’t sound like much of a catch to me — it sounded like good news. We could return home and not have to be scared of police knocking at the door one day, and on top of it, Mason had a job.
“This really sounds too good to be true,” I said thoughtfully. “Do you think this is real, or is it just something your dad said? And what about Anonymous? Are they still angry with you . . .”
Mason eyed me with mock astonishment. “Carly Belle Washington, I’m shocked. You getting paranoid on me?”
I slapped him on the arm. “Cut it out. Seriously, you were right about everything thus far,” I shrugged.
“Well, I’m glad to know I’ve been such a good influence on you.” Mason chuckled and then shook his head. “But no, it’s real. This kind of stuff happens all the time. Haven’t you heard about hackers who get caught committing a cyber crime, but then get reduced sentences for agreeing to work for the government?”
“In the movies, I guess.”
“Well, that’s what I’m going to be. The government’s whore until I’ve worked off my debt to them. Anonymous is going to let it slide, but I’ll never be welcome back into their group again . . . which works out anyway given the terms of the deal.”
I bit my lower lip. “And what about Brian? You said he brokered this deal for you, but are you going to be able to find it in your heart to forgive him?”
Mason’s eyes grew distant. “Well, we had a long talk, a heart to heart I guess you could say. And although things aren’t perfect, and probably won’t be for a long time, we’re on the right track.”
“I can’t believe it,” I muttered. With the rift that had grown between Mason and Brian, I didn’t think the two would ever reconcile. “You two stubborn mules are finally coming around.”
Mason nodded, ignoring my jest. “That’s not all.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re waiting for us just over the border. To bring us back home — Dad and Sherry.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Oh.” A couple of days ago I thought we’d be doomed to exile, always on the run, and now things were looking up.
I pulled Mason into the tightest hug I could manage, my heart overflowing with joy at the look of hope in Mason’s eyes . . . the hope for new beginnings. “That’s so wonderful! I’m so happy for you . . . us.”
Mason eschewed my hug and planted a giant kiss on my lips. “You damn well better be.”
“Wait,” I said, after our smooch was done, pulling back. “Does Mom know that we’re in a relationship?”
Mason pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Dad probably told her, but I don’t really know.”
“Ugh,” I said, dreading the moment. “I can already hear the bitching now.”
“You survived a crazy psycho bitch and being plowed by my monster cock, and you’re worried about a little complaining?” Mason joked.
I playfully smacked him on the face. “When it’s my mom doing the complaining, then yes. Yes I am.”
“We’ll have to take away your worries then.” Mason got up from his seat, picked me up in his arms and carried me over to the bed.
“What are you doing?” I asked breathlessly.
Mason grinned as he lowered me onto the bed and began taking off his shirt, exposing his rock hard abs. “About to give you something that you’ll treasure forever.”
“Huh? You’ve already given it to me, and I will treasure it forever,” I said looking down at his growing bulge.
There was a twinkle in his eye as he replied coyly, “That too. But I was talking about something special — someone special.” There was an odd lilt to his words that had me wondering.
My breath quickened as I looked again at the gigantic bulge in his pants, until his meaning finally hit me.
I began to protest, “but with everything happening, your new job, me starting my career, and our parents . . .”
Mason pressed a finger against my lips, shushing me. “None of that matters. All that matters is what we feel for one another. I’ve wanted one thing since you walked into my life, Carly Belle Washington, and that one thing is you.”