“It’s mine. I knew you didn’t have one. It’s big enough to act as a blanket so you should stay warm.” He smiled at her. Sophia snuggled into the shearling coat. Even though it was April in California, dawn at the beach was damn chilly.
“Okay you guys, I expect to be impressed. I brought my phone so I’m going to be taking pictures.” And with that, the two of them were off. She watched as they raced towards the water. Billy ran at a manic pace Mason could have easily surpassed, but he kept at Billy’s side. That’s how the entire morning progressed. Mason would keep a keen eye on Billy’s abilities and slow his pace to match. She watched him lean over and provide pointers.
There were a few times Billy rode the waves and it was a wonderful sight to behold. After two hours they came in for a break. Sophia had juice and breakfast burritos ready for them. They ate and rested for a while before they went back into the water. Billy came out and then they both watched Mason surf.
Finally there was a huge swell and he rode a big wave.
“Look at that, Soph, that’s rad.” Billy even stopped midway from finishing a piece of pie to comment. Rad wasn’t the word she was thinking more like magnificent. Especially now that she knew what was hidden beneath the wetsuit.
Mason stayed out for another half hour before he finally headed in. He flopped down beside Billy and looked over at the basket of food and then at her.
“Did Billy leave anything?”
“Nope, growing boy. There’s nothing left.” Her brother laughed.
“She’s lying. She made enough for the two of us and three others.”
“Now he’s lying. I bet my last dollar there won’t be anything left.”
Mason peered into the basket and pulled out two burritos. “I’m not going to take that bet.” He lay back on his elbows and they all lounged about, watching the surfers, the water, and the colors of the sky. By the time they got up to leave the basket was empty.
****
The next morning at the diner Sophia was still marveling over the fact that not only had Mason gone with her to the Bard’s, he had followed her back to the diner to make sure she made it home safely. What kind of man did that? For God’s sake, she was twenty-two, she drove all over by herself she didn’t need a keeper. But he hadn’t made her feel weak instead he made her feel cared for.
After the breakfast rush, Margie insisted she take a break and they sat at one of the tables near the back. Frannie DeLuca came over from the food pantry as well.
“Spill,” Frannie said as soon as the food was on the table.
Sophia knew she was going to get the third degree, so she’d been considering exactly what she would, and wouldn’t, disclose. Kisses, she would admit to kisses. She wouldn’t admit to having him sleep in the same bed with her. That was just too intimate.
She explained how Mason and his friend Drake helped at the mission.
“You’ll love this,” her voice filled with glee. “Drake bought enough groceries for at least one day’s worth of meals for the entire mission, it was unbelievable.”
“You mean the man with the sexy southern drawl?” Margie asked, her eyes wide, as she reached over for the jelly packets.
“I don’t know who he is but I say he’s the man you should be with,” Frannie said emphatically. Sophia blushed.
“Oh no, you should see the sparks fly between her and Mason, Fran. He’s the one who rescued her. He’s an honest to God knight in shining armor.” Margie put her elbow on the table and sighed.
“Sophia, it’s about time you caught a break.”
“I don’t know, part of me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I keep pinching myself like it’s too good to be true, you know?”
“How’s the sex?” Frannie asked, as she bit into her egg white omelet.
“Frannie!” Sophia’s cheeks burned at the question. She was immediately reminded of how he comforted her after her nightmare. Part of her wished they’d made love but most of her was thankful they hadn’t. It would have been too much, too soon.
“All right I’ll give you a pass. But Margie explained the level of hotness and I’m not sure I could have held out.”
Margie snorted. “You know damn well you were a virgin on your wedding night, Francesca DeLuca.”
“It was a different time,” Frannie defended herself.
“I think it’s sweet. I wish I would have waited for the right man.” Sophia sighed.
“Is Mason the right man?” Margie asked, motioning for Sophia to eat.
“I’m beginning to think so and it scares the hell out of me because God knows I’m not the right woman.”
“That fink Lewis sure did a number on your self-esteem. I wish I could meet him in a dark alley.” Sophia visibly shuddered.
“Fran, what are you thinking bringing that up?” Margie admonished. “Child are you sleeping at all?”
“I slept okay over at Mason’s house. I don’t know how I’ll sleep tonight. I’ve been having nightmares. I felt safe knowing he was there, you know?” The two ladies looked at one another.
“What?” Sophia asked, the fork midway to her mouth.
“Maybe you should keep sleeping over at his house,” Margie suggested.
“No way, I’ve inconvenienced him enough. I’ll see him on Friday and then we’re going on a date on Saturday.”
“Why are you seeing him on Friday?” Frannie asked.
“We have to go give statements to the D.A.” She put down her fork knowing she would have to force herself to eat after thinking about Friday’s meeting.
“You let us know if you need anything. I want to know if you have nightmares, all right.” Frannie gave her a hard stare. Sophia laughed. Frannie’s bossiness no longer intimidated her after having dealt with Mason. Now he was a force to be reckoned with.
“Eat up girlie the lunch shift starts soon. I don’t want to see you lifting any trays this time.”
“But my arm is feeling much better,” Sophia protested.
“I don’t care. Resting it will help it heal. I don’t want to see you ripping open any of those stitches.” Margie was probably right. Her arm did kind of throb after carrying some of the larger trays.
“Okay.”
“At last she’s showing sense. Our little girl is growing up, Frannie.”
Chapter Ten
“You look beautiful, Sophia.” She always looked pretty but now she looked absolutely beautiful.
“Do you need glasses? It’s the third time you’ve said that, Mason. Have you not noticed the bruising on my face? It’s green.”
“It matches your eyes and it almost matches the color of your suit.” It was the suit, hose and heels really doing it for him. When he originally complimented her on the outfit, she immediately told him she bought it at a consignment store. Like that mattered.
He opened the door for her as they entered the lobby of the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego. He noticed her clenching her fist. He snagged it and brought it to his lips. She looked up at him in confusion.
“You have nothing to be scared of.”
“I’m not scared,” she said as they got to the elevators. “Well not exactly. I’m nervous. I called and Mrs. Porter said they wouldn’t be here.”
He knew she was talking about her attackers. It was a damn good thing they weren’t going to be there because he would be tempted to murder them. Looking at her poor face and the way she still favored her ribs and shoulder about killed him.
“You really didn’t have to come,” she said for the fourth time. As soon as she found out the D.A. wanted to speak to them separately, Sophia said she didn’t need him to come.
“I wanted to be here.” She was clutching his hand tightly, so he thought she needed him with her as well.
When they got to the correct floor, they were ushered into the office of a middle-aged woman named Hannah Porter.
“Thank you for taking time off to come and see me Ms.
Anderson. Who is this with you?” The woman was in her mid-forties and exuded competence.
“This is Mason Gault. He’s the man who rescued me.”
“Lieutenant Gault, I don’t have you coming in until Tuesday.” Mrs. Porter frowned up at him.
“I’m here to support Sophia.”
“I see.” Mason knew she did. He could tell very little would get past this woman and it made him seriously happy.
“Lieutenant, you’re going to have to wait somewhere else. I don’t want to taint your account of the events by listening to Sophia’s. There’s a cafeteria downstairs,” she suggested.
“I’ll just wait in the outer office.”
“This could take an hour or two,” Mrs. Porter warned him.
“That’s not a problem, ma’am.”
“Very well.” Sophia and Mrs. Porter waited as Mason stood and left the office, leaving the two of them alone to discuss her statement. She’d given him an apologetic look as he stepped out of the office.
Mason glanced around the small outer office and took a seat. There was only one magazine and it was about golf. He didn’t golf but at least it was something to read. By the time the door opened he’d read it cover to cover. Twice.
Sophia came out red-faced, with her eyes swollen. It was obvious she’d been crying. He looked at Hannah Porter who had an arm around Sophia’s shoulder.
“You did really well. We’re going to get those bastards. Thank you for coming in today. I’ll let you know when the trial date is set. They already have their attorneys.”
As Sophia walked two steps forward into the outer office Mason took her into his arms. He couldn’t help it.
“Mrs. Porter, did Sophia ask you when you’ll be disclosing her information to their attorneys?”
“I will be today. They sent me a request for all of the discovery documentation.” Sophia turned in his arms to look at the assistant D.A.
“So the men who did this will have my contact information?”
“Their attorney will. The defendants, Krill and Dooley, will only have your name. Their lawyer is the only one who will have your contact information. He will advise his clients not to get in touch with you because to do otherwise will endanger their case.”
“But they could, couldn’t they?” she asked. Mason could feel her trembling.
“If they do their bail will likely be revoked until their trial. They won’t want to risk it.”
“Seems to me that’s a little too late,” Mason growled.
“We can’t violate their rights. We have to assume they’ll follow the law.”
“You’re kidding me right? After what they did?” Mason demanded. He breathed in, trying to keep it together. Sophia was trembling even harder, and he needed to dial it back. He took a deep breath and pulled her closer. “Never mind. Thank you for your time Mrs. Porter we’ll take it from here.”
As Sophia turned to make her way towards the elevator she stumbled on her heels. Dammit, she was scared and he didn’t blame her. She was just a tiny little thing and now it was possible those animals might know where she lived. She was moving in with him that was all there was to it. By the time they were outside and on the way to his truck he had his argument ready to go but she surprised him.
“No Mason,” she said before he had a chance to open his mouth.
“What?”
“No, I’m not going to stay at your house.” Dammit, her chin was jutting out. She wasn’t pulling on her hair either. She was serious.
“They’re going to have your address. They know you’re going to testify against them.”
“You heard her. They’ll go to jail until their trial if they try anything. She told me it could take as long as eight to ten weeks before we go to trial. They won’t want to risk it. I’m going to be perfectly safe. I’m not moving in with you. I have plans.”
“Tell me.”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow when we go on our date.”
“Let’s go out to lunch now.”
“Just take me to the diner. I’m wiped out. I need a nap.” Dammit, she sure knew how to knock the wind out of his sails.
“Okay, but tomorrow night I want to hear all about your plans.” When they got into his truck, he couldn’t help but admire how her legs looked in the hose and heels. He thought about stealing a kiss but then he looked at the dark circles under her eyes that had nothing to do with her injuries.
“Why don’t you see if you can get some sleep on the way up to San Clemente, okay honey?”
“I can keep you company. Anyway, I want to hear about the training you’re always doing.” She immediately yawned. He suppressed a grin and explained about the physical training he and his team did to keep in shape between missions. He told her three minutes worth of information and she was asleep.
He called the diner on the way to San Clemente and talked to Margie. She was waiting for him when he pulled around to the back. She let him in and he carried Sophia up to her apartment. She never stirred.
“She’s exhausted. I know she hasn’t been sleeping,” Margie said as she slipped off Sophia’s shoes and pulled the blanket over the sleeping woman. They left the small apartment and went downstairs.
“Now tell me everything the D.A. said,” Margie demanded. She pushed Mason into one of the seats at the lunch counter. “Hamburger?”
“Cheeseburger.” Margie called to Peter, the cook, and then rested her elbow on the counter and waited.
“It could be as long as eight to ten weeks until they go to trial and in the meantime their lawyer knows where Sophia lives.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not,” Mason said in disgust. “I tried to convince Sophia to stay with me but her chin jutted out and I lost the argument.”
Margie laughed.
“I know the look. Yeah, you were toast. That girl sometimes has more pride than sense. Of course it has gotten her through so many tough times. I can’t believe she’s managed to stay so positive and nice considering the cards she’s been dealt.” Margie’s voice was filled with admiration.
“Tell me,” Mason asked as she set the food in front of him.
“It’s not my story to tell.” He guessed it wasn’t but he was still disappointed she didn’t tell him. “She’s a hard one to get talking, Margie.”
“I know. It’s the pride thing. I’ll tell you one thing, you’d be lucky to have a girl like Sophia in your life.”
“That’s what I think too. Now I just have to convince her.” He bit into his burger.
“Just know you have people in your court. We’re rooting for you.” He hoped it was enough. He still had to find out what was behind the walls Sophia had built up.
****
It had taken every last ounce of strength Sophia had not to agree to move in with Mason. She was scared and that was the truth. The idea of staying at Mason’s house was like a dream come true. He would keep her safe. But she also listened to what Mrs. Porter said. Dooley and Krill were not going to risk their freedom to come after her so she was scared for no reason. What’s more there was something far more important to her than her puny fears—Mason’s respect.
Sophia wanted a relationship with this man. He might have started out pursuing her but now she ached to be with him. He made her smile. She hadn’t felt this good in years, and she wasn’t going to ruin it by having him think she was too afraid to handle things on her own. By God, she would prove to him she was worthy of a SEAL! And it started by getting her ass in gear.
She hadn’t been on a date for over three years. Not since college. The best outfit she had she’d just worn to go to the D.A.’s office. Then there was the fact that she didn’t know where Mason was taking her. Was it out for a pizza and beer? Maybe jeans were appropriate. She just didn’t know. She finally gave in and called him.
“So what’s the dress code?” she whispered.
“Hello honey, what’s your ques
tion?”
She loved his voice. It made her melt. She’d never talked to him on the phone before and he sounded smooth, like smoke and aged whiskey. It took her a moment to respond.
“I was wondering what to wear. Where are we going? Is it a jeans night, or something a little dressier?” Sophia winced at her fast delivery.
He paused. “Wear whatever makes you comfortable.” Dammit, she knew he was saying that because he was being nice. It meant he planned to take her someplace dressy. Okay, she could do dressy.
“Okay, I will. Six o’clock, right?”
“Yes, I’ll see you then.” She hung up. She had money in her apartment fund. It was two o’clock. She would head on over to the consignment store. Margie insisted she skip the lunch shift today so she could get ready. She’d argued but now she was glad Margie insisted.
Maybe she could get Frannie to go with her. She’d really like a second opinion, and she was in luck because Frannie was free. But it turned out to be a really bad idea. By the time she got back to her tiny apartment she had spent over two hundred dollars, which was a lot considering the cheap prices at the store. But she ended up with three great outfits and one killer dress she planned to wear that night.
One of the things that still fit from her days in college, before she lost weight, were her shoes. She planned to wear her peacock teal high heels to go with the new rust colored dress she just purchased. The dress even had sheer long sleeves that covered her bandage. She planned to apply some artful make up to cover her bruises. By God, she was doing the full pull. Frannie sat at her little dining room table while she got ready for her date. At five thirty she turned around.
“Well?” she asked nervously.
“You’re a knock-out.” Sophia turned to look again in her bathroom mirror. She could only see the top part of her dress but it looked pretty good. The make-up covered the bruising pretty well and the way she highlighted her eyes took the attention away from anything the make-up didn’t cover.
Her Vigilant Seal Page 9