Josette was in the den with a tablet like Scarlet’s, and Scarlet had obviously told her it must be in hand at all times. She was studying it like there’d be a test later. “Getting a head start on your homework?”

  “Hey.” Josette barely glanced up. “I’m trying to get a handle on this schedule you put together and everything I’m supposed to do with it. I don’t want to get fired on my first week.”

  “Scarlet is going to tag along for as long as you need her, and she’s good at on-the-job training. According to her, that’s what she’s been doing for me since she started working at Banu.”

  “I love you.” Josette put the device down and hugged her. “I was scared I’d miss something and screw all this up.”

  “I’ll be around for you too, so just ask if you want to know something. Where is the woman with the golden voice?”

  “She’s upstairs with Selena going through some shoe selections.”

  Josette followed her into the kitchen and accepted a Pellegrino.

  “You didn’t need new shoes and boots?”

  “If there’s time, Selena promised to set me up.” Josette glanced at the door. “Thank you, Mason,” she said, lowering her voice. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Victoria, and she deserves better than she’s had. Please don’t do anything to screw this up.”

  “I promise I won’t do anything that messes up your chances at swag.” She put her fingers up in the Scout’s oath.

  “Believe me, I love me some swag, but I love Victoria, and I like seeing her this happy. That piece of work mother of hers really did a number on her, but with you she’s happy and in love. It’s been too long in coming, but you’ve finally arrived, and I want her to keep you.”

  They were sweet words, and they made Mason’s heart sing. “I promise she’ll always be okay with me, and we want the same things for her.”

  She heard talking on the stairs and hugged Josette one more time. “I’m counting on you to be there for her through all of this, starting today.”

  “You know it.”

  They headed back to the den, and she had to swallow a few times when Victoria turned and faced her. That she was beautiful was never a question, but Selena’s gift was creating simple elegance, and she’d come through again. The maxi-dress accented Victoria’s coloring and was stylish without being formal.

  “Wow.” She put her drink down when Victoria walked into her arms and gazed up at her. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Victoria’s cheeks pinked up a little, and she shook her head as if to make her embarrassment fade away. “You don’t think it’s too much?”

  “Do you like it?” Mason asked. Victoria nodded. “Are you uncomfortable?”

  “No.”

  “Then think of it as work clothes, a uniform of sorts, and to me you’re beautiful no matter what.” She smiled when the blush deepened. “Let me go change, and Selena can finish with you. She gets a raise for not putting anything on your lips just yet.”

  “I left your stuff on the door of the closet, and I’ll take my bonus in Godiva,” Selena said.

  “I’ll come up and help.” Victoria took her hand and blushed one more time when Selena warned her about getting wrinkles in her outfit. “Thanks for the flowers, honey.”

  The vase on Victoria’s side of the bed was full of pink roses, and Mason ran her finger along the petals of one before she sat on the bed. “I want you to always know how special you are to me, and how proud I am of you. Are you ready for all this?”

  “I hope so. It’s still weirdly surreal, but it’s been fun.”

  She stripped with Victoria watching and wished they had more time.

  “The next couple of days I don’t think will change much, but I’m glad I did it.”

  “You’re going to have to trust me on what happens next, but you’re never going to be alone.”

  “Promise?”

  “With all my heart.” She slipped into her boots and held her hand out. “Let the adventures begin.”

  * * *

  The backstage manager was effusive as he took Victoria around and gave her the type of tour that only a privileged few got to see. Mason had been on a few of these, but she could tell when the manager truly liked someone, and from the sound of it, he couldn’t wait to see Everly again.

  “Don’t worry about a thing tomorrow, and I’ll be around if you need absolutely anything,” he said, holding Victoria’s hand between his. “I’m sure you’ll be a regular if Mason has any say.”

  “Thank you, and I appreciate your time today.” Victoria smiled and placed her free hand in the crook of Mason’s arm as if giving her new admirer a hint it was time to let go.

  “Excuse me a moment,” Mason said when her phone started buzzing, and she saw it was her father. “Josette, go ahead and take Everly to the car, and I’ll be right behind you.”

  “Buckaroo, are you done?” her dad said when she could answer.

  “We just wrapped up, and I’m taking the girls to dinner.” She pinched the bridge of her nose when she realized Victoria was still there. She winked and said, “It’s just Dad with some last-minute stuff. I’ll be right behind you.”

  As Victoria left, her father’s voice blasted in her ear. “Make your excuses, Mason. I need you to head to the hospital.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” She wasn’t loud but was still glad there wasn’t anyone around.

  “Don’t let your mama hear you talk like that, but I totally agree with you. I need you to get there before the media does. Jesus Christ won’t be able to revive Sophie’s career if they catch this story.”

  “All right but let me see Vic off, and I’ll cab it over there.”

  “I sent another car, and it should be there in about five minutes. Don’t linger. I want this kept quiet.”

  “Okay, Pop, I’ll call you.”

  If Victoria saw her there was no way she would buy some bullshit story, so she called Josette and had her hand Victoria the phone. “I have to head back to the office, baby, so go ahead and keep the reservation. If I’m too late for dinner, I’ll call you.”

  “Is everything okay?” Victoria sounded worried.

  “Just some contract stuff Dad wants me to fix before it’s finalized, and it really can’t wait. Enjoy yourself and relax.”

  “Okay. I love you.”

  “I love you too, and you’re going to be awesome tomorrow.” She’d do anything to give Victoria a great opening night, even if she had to kill Sophie to put all of them out of her misery.

  She scanned the news and social media, hoping to keep whatever had happened from Victoria until after tomorrow night. All her notifications were quiet, thankfully, so she texted Scarlet to be on alert and to call if she found anything. The service she’d hired had a guy waiting outside when she arrived, and he led her to the emergency department as he explained what had happened.

  “Ms. Roddy called 9-1-1 thirty minutes ago, and the ambulance just rolled in. We haven’t confirmed exactly what’s going on—”

  “Wait, Sophie called 9-1-1?”

  “Yes, ma’am. They found Weston Cagle unresponsive when they rolled up on the scene. Ms. Roddy rode in with him once they had him loaded.”

  “Please tell me she’s not high or drunk.”

  “We haven’t been able to confirm that, but we’re trying.”

  “Thanks.” She walked into the emergency room and searched the electronic roster by the nurses’ station for Weston’s name. It wasn’t there, which gave her no option but to ask. She was shown to a private consulting room instead of getting the order to leave.

  Sophie stood when she walked in, and the next surprise of the night was her genuine relief at the sight of her. “Mason, thank God. They called the police.”

  “Why, exactly?” she asked the nurse, and Sophie was clinging to her like she’d disappear if she let go.

  “The gentleman Ms. Roddy brought in overdosed and passed away. It’s standard procedure to call the authorities,” the nurse said.

  “Thanks, and we’ll be waiting.” She sat Sophie down and called Woody while Sophie sobbed. “Get over here and threaten whoever you have to, but keep Sophie out of this.”

  “Give me twenty minutes. Sonny already called me. I’ve put things in place, and I’m on my way.”

  She loved that Woody was always raring to go.

  “He’s dead, Mason, dead.” Sophie sounded sober, which was a bonus if they had to involve the police.

  “Tell me what happened.” It took some time for Sophie to get through her story, but it sounded like Weston had bought from the wrong dealer and paid the price of the poison he’d injected. “Sophie, listen to me.”

  “It wasn’t my fault. You have to believe me.”

  “I do believe you, but you have to listen to me. Tell that exact story and nothing more. If the police ask, offer to give them Weston’s stash, but that’s it. Do not volunteer more than you have to.” She wiped Sophie’s face, not quite believing how lost she sounded. “I’m just glad you didn’t take anything.”

  “Even after everything I’ve put you through?” Sophie let out a short laugh that sounded wounded.

  “Victoria loves you, and I love her. I’m smart enough to know you come as part of the package, and it would’ve killed something vital in her if this had been you and not Weston.” She could see her as a vulnerable, wounded soul for the first time. “Maybe the two of you have a ways to go, but you have an amazing daughter, and she cares about you even after all you’ve put her through.”

  “Is she the only reason you’re here?”

  “Maybe now isn’t the time for total honesty.” That got a smile from Sophie. “But honestly, no. We still represent you, and I still think you have so much more to do.”

  The police took Sophie’s statement, and Mason was glad she stayed calm. Mason didn’t dispute her account of how Weston was a houseguest and she’d had no idea he brought heroin into her home. Maybe that was the only way Sophie could deal with the loss—by denying their connection.

  “Do you know where Mr. Cagle would’ve purchased the drugs?” the younger cop asked gently.

  “I couldn’t begin to guess. Why do you ask?” Sophie held Mason’s hand in a painful grip, but her voice stayed steady.

  “This is the third callout about a fatal OD we’ve had this shift, and we need to find the dealer before someone else dies.”

  “If we find anything in the stuff he left at the house, I’ll contact you if you leave me your card.” Mason pocketed the guy’s information and led Sophie out. Woody was in the car outside and told them he’d taken care of Weston’s last needs.

  “I can’t go back there.” Sophie hadn’t let go of her hand, so maybe she was more freaked out than Mason gave her credit for. “I can’t.”

  “Don’t worry, you won’t be alone, but we need to talk about where you can stay.” She explained what Victoria was getting ready to do and why she didn’t want to burden her with something that would stress her. “It’s asking a lot, but after tomorrow night I’ll move you in myself if you want to come back to Blue Heaven.”

  “The Opry? You think she’s good?” Sophie was staring at her like she’d grown horns and had gotten a full-face tattoo.

  “I want you to see for yourself, but she has the potential to be legendary. You gave her more than you know, some good, some bad, but through it all she’s loved you.” She faced Sophie and spoke from the heart that now belonged to Victoria completely. “What I want is for you to spend some time really seeing her for who she is. Her talent is something that will blow you away, but her compassion isn’t something you should neglect any longer. You have no right to continue treating her the way you have, which has been truly horrendous. It’s not okay, and if you lose her, you’re not only missing out, but it will be entirely your fault.” Mason didn’t care if it hurt Sophie’s feelings or if it didn’t help her recovery. She needed to hear the truth as clearly as Mason could say it.

  “Can I come tomorrow? I know it’s last-minute, but I’d like to be there.” Sophie had actual tears in her eyes, and Mason smiled. Maybe Sophie’s time at the ranch had done some good after all. She was finally seeing herself in that mirror Belle had been holding up for months.

  “I got you a ticket just in case, and my parents will pick you up, but tonight I think the best person you could stay with is the one who’s been trying to help you all along.” Woody drove them to the address she’d texted him, and she prayed Sophie would keep it together. “If you give me the night, we’ll figure it out together, you have my word.”

  “I’ve been cursing you for weeks, Mason Liner, and I’ve accused you of plenty of things.”

  Mason braced herself for some more of the same now the pressure was off.

  Sophie’s eyes were swollen from crying, but they were clear and strangely empty of the usual malice she looked at the world with. “I’m still not sure a relationship with you is the best thing for Victoria, but I owe you my thanks. After everything, had the roles been reversed, I would’ve told you to fuck off.”

  “I’m not sure she should have a relationship with you, either, so we’re on even ground there. All I ask is that you think before you say anything to Victoria. Talk to me however you like, but remember, she’s your child, and I love her. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep her safe and happy. And if that means dropping you in a hole somewhere, so be it. Deal?”

  The car stopped, and Belle was waiting in front of her house. “Okay, you got a deal, and thanks for understanding me.”

  “Try listening to Belle this time,” she said as she opened the door. Belle was wearing yellow shorts and a sixties-style halter top, and the outfit made her appear younger than Mason had ever seen her. “She knows what she’s talking about.”

  “At least someone does.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  The sun wasn’t up when Victoria opened her eyes, and she took the time to assess what had woken her. Mason was spooned behind her, and that meant they hadn’t moved since falling asleep. She’d been disappointed that Mason couldn’t make dinner, but it’d been nice cooking something for her when she got home.

  Her life had never revolved around any type of domesticity, and it probably wouldn’t considering what she was getting ready to do, but she’d discovered something about herself. Being with Mason, taking care of her, was something she truly enjoyed. The other thing she loved was having Mason reciprocate.

  There was enough moonlight from outside to see the roses Mason had sent, which had sent Selena into a panic when she’d started crying. Josette had understood, though, and let her cry over the surprise of the first flowers she’d ever received. Then there were the simple things like Mason making her coffee the way she liked it, and holding her hand whenever she could. All that was nice.

  “It’s too early for you to be awake.” The low deep burr of Mason’s voice made her shiver, and it hardened her nipples. “You okay?”

  “I was thinking, not worrying.” She turned and Mason lifted her so she was lying on top of her.

  “What’s running around up here?” Mason tapped the side of her head and kissed her.

  “Domestic things.” A sudden but brief look of shock, or maybe fear, crossed Mason’s face. “Good things,” she added, not wanting to upset her.

  Mason kissed her and ran her hands through Victoria’s hair. “We haven’t talked about our permanent arrangements, but if it’s not rushing you, I’d like you to move in. If it makes you more comfortable, keep your place, but I want to wake up with you every day. I want that even if it’s at a weird early hour that beats even Ivan the rooster.” Mason’s hands slowly slid down her back and stopped at the slope of her butt.

  “Are you sure?” She kissed Mason with all the lust that built when they slept skin to skin. “Once that happens, I’m not going to leave.”

  “You think that’s going to scare me into changing my mind?” The way Mason’s nose flared when she exhaled deeply made her press her knee harder into Mason’s center.

  “Can you tell me one thing?”

  Mason’s enthusiastic nodding made her certain she could ask anything.

  “Why me? Considering who you are, you could’ve had anyone.”

  “My mother has always preached to me that the universe creates one perfect match for everyone. It’s only when you meet them that you’ll know. You’ll know because their heart can’t deny you.”

  “I love when you get philosophical.” She ran her fingers along the top of Mason’s cheek, then the other. “And I’ll never deny you any part of me.”

  “I love you, darlin’, and my heart knows you.” Mason rolled them over. “You’re my match.”

  “Then I should ask you to help me pack the rest of my stuff.”

  “You shouldn’t tease the animal if you don’t mean to feed it.” Mason kissed her before starting down her body. Her head dropped to the pillow when Mason sucked in a nipple, making her feel it in her clit.

  “Are you teasing me?” Mason let her go with a pop and asked the question before moving to the other nipple “Are you?”

  “No.” She barely heard her own answer, but the center of her world was focused between her legs. “Yes,” she said slightly louder when Mason bit down gently.

  “Is that a no or yes?” Mason moved lower with the question, and Victoria bit her lip.

  The pulsing in her clit was quickly driving her mad, but Mason was in no hurry.

  “Do you know what I want?” She had to suck in her bottom lip when Mason flicked her tongue rapidly over her clit with a feather touch.

  “What’s that?” Mason asked, and Victoria wanted to cry when Mason had to lift her head to answer.

  “I’d like a housewarming gift, and what I want is for you to put your mouth right here.” She reached down and put her hand between her legs. The move was an on switch for Mason, and this time she didn’t stop. There was no doubt she loved Mason, and the added bonus was how she made her feel.