Christine waited until she was sure Mason had gone to bed when she snuck down to his small office space. She needed information. Anything. His laptop was there on the desk. But he wouldn’t leave it lying about if he didn’t have a password protecting it, she thought. She didn’t bother to check it.Using the torchlight on her cellphone she rummaged through the desk drawers. Some bills, nothing of importance. A letter from the institution about his mother’s medication. At least she now had the name and address of the place.Christine sighed. Disappointed that she didn’t find anything worthwhile she put everything back as they were. Then she noticed a scrap of paper sticking out from base of the last drawer. Carefully she pried it loose. The lights went on.“What are you doing here Darlin’?” Mason drawled.Christine snuck the scrap of paper into the pocket of her nightgown.“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I couldn’t sleep. Came looking for something to read.” She held her breath

Alexander read and reread the email from Christine informing him of her resignation. He shook his head, what in the hell was she thinking? There was no way he was allowing her to disappear and taking Chase’s boy with her. He started to type a reply only to discard it seconds later.No, if he sent a reply now it would be scathing and could alienate her further. Alexander couldn’t risk it. He would talk it over with Erica. She would know how to handle Christine. Maybe he overreacted when he saw her and Mason together, he scratched his chin. Something about the whole scene was bugging him, but he just couldn't place a finger on it.He still hasn’t spoken to Chase yet to tell him about the news. Chase was admitted to the psychiatric Hospital for evaluation and Alexander had to wait for permission to consult with him. Wait. It seems like all he had to do these days, he thought bitterly.In the meantime he managed to obtain the warrant for Gerald and had it sent to him. The suspense was kil

Christine’s only hope fled like a frightened bird from her mind. She was trapped, there was no escape from him. He was insane. Why else would he do this?“Mason…” her mouth was bone-dry. “Please…”“Please what, Christine?” Steely fingers closed around her throat. “Please don’t hurt me?” he mimicked a feminine voice and laughed. His fingers pressed harder, watching her eyes tear up.Christine felt helpless, as helpless as she felt on the island when Imran groped her. And she hated that feeling. She brought her knee up into Mason’s groin. He let go of her with an oath, doubling over. She shoved him aside and ran for the door.She made it to the stairs. Mason came thundering after her. She screamed as he lunged for her. Trying to side-step him, she twisted her ankle and tumbled down the stairs. Her head collided with the wall and the world greyed out. The last thing she saw was Mason bending over her.***“Stupid girl. Think you can run from me?” Mason picked up the unconscious Christine

“I want you, Christine. Only you. From the moment I saw you.” He stared deep into her eyes, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. He was convinced that he wanted her, that much she saw in his amber eyes, and it made her fear him all the more. “I know I’ve said it before, but I will say it a million times over, until you believe me.”“I should have stopped you from getting onto that plane then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You would be here with me in my arms and in my bed. Willingly.” He sounded sure of himself.“But you didn’t, Mason and I fell in love with Chase and I’m having his son.” Christine said.He shook his head, smiling sadly. “You’ll forget all about him. In time. I will never let you go, you get that, don’t you.”Hopeless tears trickled down Christine’s cheeks, tears she couldn’t stop even though she wanted to.“Mason, please…”He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “Shh. Don’t cry. I’ll take good care of you, you’ll see.” He got up from the bed. “I’ll

Meanwhile Chase had plans of his own. The next morning at breakfast, (if you could call cold oats and rubbery eggs breakfast) he sat down at the table of Marco Carlucci a renowned Mafia mob boss.“I don’t remember inviting you, stronzo.” the older man said as he dabbed the remnants of his breakfast off the side of his mouth.“Don Carlucci, I would like a favor. I have money.” Chase lowered his voice.“Get lost! Didn’t you hear the Boss?” a brawny baldheaded man rolled up his sleeves to reveal heavily tattooed arms, ready to throw Chase down on his ass.Two other men stood up from their chairs. But the guards ordered them to sit the fuck down.“You are the feccia dell'avvocato that murdered that poor girl, no?” the old man rasped and bent forward to fix Chase with his small, dark eyes.“I didn’t kill that woman, Don Carlucci, I swear on my mother.” Chase crossed himself. “I need to get out of here. The mother of my child’s life is in danger. Help me please.”Marco Carlucci smiled indul