Ever After

LAUREN

We lay tangled in the sheets, our bodies warm and close, the remnants of our passion still lingering in the air. Mason’s arm was draped over me as I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was peaceful, content in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“So,” I began, my voice playful, “I have to say, I never thought I’d end up in bed with the man who, at one point, had someone point a gun at me.”

Mason chuckled, his hand lazily tracing circles on my back.

“I honestly didn’t think you’d make it past the first week as my personal assistant. You had that look in your eyes like you were going to bolt at any second.”

I smiled, rolling onto my side to face him, propping myself up on my elbow.

“Oh, I definitely considered it. More than once, especially after you made me walk Prince. But, I saw how hopeless you were without me and I had to stay.”

I smirked at him, knowing how annoyed he gets when people question his abilities at work. It’s different with me though, he lets me tease him and test his boundaries.

His hand moved to my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin in that gentle way that always made me feel safe.

“If anything, I had to clean up even more messes with you as my assistant! You were the hopeless one,” he teased, his eyes full of love and warmth.

We both laughed softly, the sound filling the room like a melody. It was blissful being here with him, with no fear, no danger hanging over us. For the first time in so long, I allowed myself to believe that this was our future. That we could actually have this kind of peace.

But then, out of nowhere, a flicker of something dark passed through me. My body stiffened, and though I tried to hide it, Mason noticed.

He always noticed.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice soft but serious.

I wanted to brush it off, to pretend like nothing was bothering me. But I couldn’t. The fear, the old dread that I’d been trying to suppress, crept back in. The thought of everything we had gone through, all the threats we had faced, resurfaced in a single, chilling wave.

“I… I don’t know,” I whispered, my fingers gripping the sheets tightly. “It’s just… I keep thinking about what’s next. What if it’s not over? What if there’s something else waiting for us out there? I’m so scared of losing you, Mason.”

He shifted, sitting up slightly and pulling me closer, his arm wrapping around me protectively.

“Lauren,” he said, his voice steady, “nothing is going to happen to us. Not anymore. We’ve been through hell, and we made it out. I won’t let anyone or anything take that from us.”

“I keep thinking about her,” I admitted softly. “About Ginny. I know she’s in prison, but what if it’s not enough? What if she still finds a way to hurt us?”

Mason’s arm tightened around me, pulling me even closer. His breath was warm against my hair as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“Ginny’s locked away for good, Lauren,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. “She can’t get to you anymore. I’ve made sure of it.”

I closed my eyes, wanting so badly to believe him. But Ginny was a master manipulator, and even behind bars, the thought of what she might be capable of made my stomach twist.

“You don’t know her like I do, Mason. She’s relentless. She’ll find a way to reach the Omens and Anthony Brown.”

I felt Mason’s chest rise and fall as he let out a slow, controlled breath. He was quiet for a moment, as if carefully choosing his next words.

“I have eyes everywhere,” he finally said, his voice firm. “Ginny isn’t going to reach out to the Omens. Not without me knowing.”

“But Anthony Brown…” I trailed off, my voice catching. “He knows who I am now. They all do. And he’s going to come looking for me. You know that, right?”

Mason shifted slightly, leaning back so he could look into my eyes. His gaze was unwavering, filled with so much certainty that it made my heart ache.

“He can look all he wants,” he said, his voice low and steady. “But he won’t find you. Not unless you want to be found.”

The confidence in his words made my heart race, but the fear was still there, clawing at me. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’ll protect you,” Mason said without hesitation. “No matter what. I’ve already made sure that you’re safe, Lauren. You don’t have to worry about him. About the Omens. About anyone. Not as long as I’m here.”

I stared into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt, but there was none. Mason wasn’t the same man he used to be, the one who kept secrets, who kept me in the dark. He had changed, and I had seen his most vulnerable side. He was doing everything in his power to keep me safe, and yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more danger lurking ahead.

“You’re sure?” I asked, my voice small.

“Absolutely,” Mason said, his hand reaching up to cup my face gently. “I promise you, Lauren. You have nothing to worry about. Not with me.”

I leaned into his touch, letting the warmth of his hand chase away the cold tendrils of fear that had settled in my chest. I wanted to believe him. I needed to believe him.

But the shadows of our past still loomed large, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they would ever truly fade. For now though, all that mattered was Mason and our love. For now, I knew I was safe.

Mason kissed my forehead and pulled me even closer.

“Do you trust me?” He asked.

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

I trusted him more than anyone.

Mason’s breath was warm against my neck, his lips brushing lightly over my skin. But then, he pulled back, just enough for me to see his face clearly, to meet his eyes. His fingers tightened around mine, as if he was grounding himself, bracing for the weight of what he was about to say.

“I love you, Lauren.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and full of meaning. For a second, I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly. He’d never said it before, not like this. There’d been moments, hints of it in the way he protected me, the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. But hearing him say it out loud, the words finally crossed his lips. It felt like everything around us froze.

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes were locked on mine, searching for something, acceptance, maybe? Hope? He looked so exposed, so completely open like he had just handed me a piece of his soul and was waiting for me to either cherish it or break it.

He had faced down enemies, survived horrors, but this? Saying these words? It was like this was his biggest risk yet.

“Mason…” I whispered, my voice shaking, as I let the enormity of his words settle over me.

“I should’ve said it sooner,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “I should’ve told you a hundred times before now. But I didn’t know how. I didn’t think I could. Not after everything.”

His voice faltered, and I could see how much this cost him. He wasn’t the kind of man to open up easily, to admit his feelings, but here he was, laying everything bare in front of me.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, not from sadness but from the overwhelming weight of this moment. I reached up, cupping his face in my hands, feeling the roughness of his stubble against my skin.

“I love you too, Mason,” I said, my voice soft but steady. “I always have.”

His eyes softened, relief washing over his features like a wave. And then, he kissed me, deeply, passionately, but this time, it wasn’t just about need or desire. It was about love. Pure, unspoken, finally acknowledged love.

His love made me feel cherished, protected, and desired. It coursed through my veins. He was the reason my heart beat, the reason it was filled with life.

I used to think I couldn’t love anyone more than my dad. But then Mason came into my life, with all his flaws and complexities, and turned everything upside down. I was head over heels in love with this man.

From the moment I first saw him in his office, when he did nothing but intimidate me, I had no idea how much he would change me. How much his love would consume me.

Now, instead of dreaming about my broken family, I dreamt of my gray-eyed man, the man who had swept me off my feet and loved me unconditionally.

“You are my everything now, Lauren.”

I laughed. “Do you always have to have the last word?”

He pulled me closer still and kissed me, his warmth spreading through me.

“No, I have you. That’s all that matters.”

“You’re being cheesy, Mr. Campbell.”

“And you’re being incredibly annoying,” he whispered, his thumb tracing the spot where his lips had just been.

“That’s not a very nice thing to say to your wife.”

His smile was wicked and full of promise.

“You can’t change me. Take it or leave it.”

I laughed as he climbed on top of me to kiss me once more.

“I don’t want you to ever change.”

This was our forever. No more secrets, no more heartache. Just love and happiness.

And the smile on my face was a constant reminder that this perfect, gray-eyed man was mine.

I had him.

And I always would.