My eyes went back to the figures I’d seen, but they weren’t there any longer. I must have been seeing things.
“Now, Scarlett.”
Letting out a sigh, I made my way towards the house. I couldn’t take any chances. Not when he was brandishing a shotgun like it was normal behaviour.
When I reached Mason, he looked down at me with annoyance written all over his face.
“Get in the house.”
“Why on earth do you have that?”
He looked down at the gun.
“I was cleaning it.”
“No, I mean, why do you have it in the first place? I didn’t know you owned a gun. Do you even have a licence for it?”
He looked slightly taken aback by my questions. They were valid as far as I was concerned. The only reason people in this country owned rifles or shotguns was for hunting or sport. Mason wasn’t interested in either of those, as far as I knew.
“Of course I have a licence for it.”
“Well, how am I supposed to know? You could have a stash of illegal handguns.”
He let out an exasperated noise.
“Where do you think I’d get hold of one?”
“Well, you shouldn’t have one, considering who your father is. But oh wait, you helped a man kidnap me, so excuse me for being sceptical.”
I probably shouldn’t have been giving him attitude when he had a shotgun in his hands, but I didn’t think it was loaded. He said he was cleaning it. Didn’t make me feel any better about him having it. Not to mention I was a little on edge after thinking I saw four people in the distance.
“My father…” he paused and scowled. “They told you.”
“Of course they fucking told me, Mason. How do you think I found out about you and Phoebe?”
He stepped closer.
“What else did they tell you?”
“That you used to watch me when I was a teenager and have been obsessed with me since before my accident.”
I didn’t mean to blurt those words out, but apparently, my common sense had fled. Mason’s eyes narrowed on me. I didn’t step back. Despite the fact he had a weapon on him, I wasn’t going to be a meek, obedient girl any longer. It was time to stand my ground.
“And you believed them?”
“What’s not to believe? Unlike you, I’ve known them my whole life.”
“They lied to you for months about not knowing who you are.”
“I was there to destroy them. They couldn’t trust me. I couldn’t trust them. Go figure. You’ve lied to me too, so don’t you stand there and act like you’re on some moral high ground.”
His expression hardened to stone.
“Get in the house, Scarlett. Now.”
“Or what?”
“Or I will use force and I don’t think you want that.”
I wanted to fight him. I really fucking did, but I didn’t think I would win. Besides, this argument wasn’t getting us anywhere.
I shoved past him and went inside. Mason glanced around outside before he followed me, shutting the patio doors and locking them.
“You’re not going back outside without me. Is that understood?”
“Why? Do you think I’m going to run off?”
“Yes.”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Well, you shouldn’t exactly be surprised considering you’re keeping me here against my will.”
His hands tightened around the gun. I should be scared, but I wasn’t. He wasn’t going to kill me.
“I’ve had about enough of your attitude today. Get in the bedroom and stay in there.”
“You’ve had enough of me, huh? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but this is what you’re getting. I did not ask for this. And I don’t fucking want you.”
Mason walked into the kitchen and placed the shotgun down on the counter. Then he turned and approached me, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. I didn’t back away. He needed to understand I wasn’t going to be a willing victim.
“Get in the bedroom, Scarlett, before I do something I regret.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“What a way to take responsibility. Blame your inability to control yourself on me because you don’t like how I’m talking to you. Did you think I would be the same sad little meek girl once I remembered who I am, hmm? Did you think Stuart broke me so I’d be an obedient girl for you?”
I saw it coming from a mile off and yet I did nothing to stop it. His hand came up, and he struck me across the face. My head snapped back, but I took it. I let him do it because it proved my point. He was as bad as Stuart.