MASON (Second Chance Novels Book 2) (24 page)

Only a few hours later I'm walking her through the basics of climbing. I help her adjust her harness, explain the various uses of the carabiners, demonstrate the use of a hex for anchoring ropes, and all other manner of safety equipment. I attach a chalk bag to her harness to help with her grip.

"You got all that?" I ask after finishing my spiel.

"Yep," she nods, looking straight up the rock face with a hot grin. "I'm a quick study."

"I have no doubt," I say. "Are you sure you don't want to start down there?" I point to a section of the cliff more appropriate for a beginner.
 

"Don't make me have to kick your ass," she says. I smirk.
 

"Then I have no choice on this…"
 

I lock a carabiner and rope from my belt to hers. "You can be an adrenaline junky along with me, but don't think I'm going to let any chance that even a talented beginner might slip."

She nods. "If you must."

"Good."

"You ready?"

I nod. "Stay below me and to the side. Don't forget the basic grips, and use your chalk often."

"Yes, dear," she says as she steps to the cliff beside me.
 

I chuckle. "I'm not a nag."

"Then stop nagging. Let's do this."

We spend the next twenty minutes slowly making our way up the cliff face. We don't make it very far, but pushing her much farther would be categorically stupid. She handles the entire climb like a pro. I only have to stop a few times to let her catch up. Each time I rest and watch her, I'm blown away by her strength. Every flex of her muscle demonstrates exactly how physically perfect her body is. Seeing her hair in a braided ponytail is somehow maddeningly hot, too. This woman is the standard form of female perfection on every level.
 

"Here's where we stop," I say, pulling her over by the hand to a small rocky crag we can both stand on, barely. "Check the view."

We both stand and look over the waves and appreciate the scenery. An enormous sailboat is gliding near the horizon, and the waves are crashing melodically below us. I move both of my arms around her, having a rare emotional moment. She fits me perfectly. She rests herself against my chest and holds me with equal understanding. I tilt her chin up for a simple, soft kiss.

"So what do you think of climbing?" I ask, invigorated and simply happy.

"I love everything about it," she says in smiling awe. We watch the ocean for a few more minutes and hold each other in the middle of the cliff face. The wind blows across us, but can't move us. We're solid. I expected this moment to be one of kick-ass celebration and holding court over the rock we conquered. Somehow, I find another level of connection instead. I'm amazed by her many brands of strength.
 

I kiss her, appreciating her all over again before I remind her of the basics of climbing down. Descending takes a while longer, but Sofia never tires. When we finally reach the base, with the ocean crashing only yards away, I pull her in and kiss her hard. I look back up at the cliff we scaled together. Many people would see this as an insurmountable task. For Sofia and myself, we see an exhilarating challenge. I'm sure it's one of many, and we'll conquer each.

The rest of the evening we spend sipping beers at Obie's. We had intended a trip to Second Chance, but kept driving when we saw Shelby's car. Neither of us wants to make her uncomfortable, and not much time has passed since the break up.
 

I know Sofia is as glad we took today for us. After last night, we both needed it.
 

When we crash for the night, we do so in each other's arms, exhausted. Even so, tomorrow will mark a new determination to finish our project. She pushed me into dealing with my past, which makes me that much more anxious for my future, one with Sofia.
 

I wake up after our day of climbing unbelievably clear headed. Sofia will return to the station today, ready to work any angle she can from her official position at the precinct. My admiration for her grows every day.
Every day
, especially through everything this week. She works miracles in me. The love I have for her is beyond description. I look at her, still sleeping, and wonder how the hell I found her. Two people such as us collide only once in a millennia, I'm certain.

And now that I have the chance to think objectively, I have a clear course of action in my mind. I look over at my beautiful sleeping phoenix and thank her silently for doing what she did two nights ago, no matter how difficult for both of us. Unreal. Because of Sofia, I no longer have to ignore my past. I can embrace it. Reluctantly leaving her side, I reach for my phone and a pair of shorts, and within seconds I'm dressed and on my patio dialing a number I never forgot.

"Junior? What the fuck?" a deep, amused voice says.

"Hey, Bash," I grin at his typical greeting.

I can hear the grin in his voice. "How the hell are you?"

"Still too pretty for you," I grin. "I need you here. Find me."

"Just like that?" he says, still amused.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I say smiling. I hang up without waiting for a response. I nod to myself, and turn to find Sofia smiling softly at me from the doorway. "That was Bash?"

"Yeah," I nod. "Did I tell you he left the Army the day I was discharged? I was shocked, but he said he wanted no part of a military that would label me dishonorable. He's on his way here."

"I look forward to meeting him," she says with keen understanding.
 

My only response is to look deep into her. I don't know how to express what's going through my head after she brought me around. I do my best.

"
Me vi sorprenderanno
, Sofia."
You amaze me
.
 

She looks even more deeply into me, then walks to my side. She plants one very solid kiss on my mouth and grabs my chin. "
Ci auguriamo ora
," she says with simplistic truth.
We look forward now
.

"
Solo in avanti
," I agree.
 

"Good. Because you need to get dressed. We're having lunch with my family."

"We're what?" I must have a look of shock on my face, because Sofia laughs.
 

"I finally confessed to Marco that I'm living with you. He told the entire family, of course. They know better than to try and change my mind, but they want to meet you," she says with amusement. "Good luck."

"Oh, no pressure," I laugh sarcastically. Holy shit. One glare from her father was enough. An entire room of DiGiacamos appraising me during an entire meal? This will be interesting.

Only two hours later I'm in my best jeans and a golf shirt walking to the side door of her parents' house. I take a deep breath. "I can't believe you sprang this on me. I could have used some prep time."

She grins at me widely. "Nah, that wouldn't have been any fun, and would have made you stress longer."

"How long have you known about this?"

"Over a week…"

I shake my head at her and she suppresses another chuckle. When she lets me in the door, we're immediately in the kitchen, and I'm surrounded by more people than should be able to fit that room.
 

"Hi," Sofia says with a smile. "Well…Mason,
mia famiglia. Mia famiglia
, Mason."

"
Lieto di vederla
," I greet politely with a smile which hopefully doesn't betray how unbelievably intimidated I am right now. I can handle stealth infiltration into enemy territory without breaking a sweat, but this…"Thanks for having me."

Eyes of every opinion meet mine. Even her infant nephew seems to be appraising me. I see mistrust, curiosity, a mother's hope for her daughter, and so many others I can't dwell on. I try to remain pleasant under this cross-generational scrutiny. Every person in this room loves Sofia fiercely, which bonds me with them instantly. From her Nona, I see wisdom and understanding. Her father retains his glare, her brothers posture in intimidation, her mother is most interested in setting the table but still glances at me every chance she gets. From her, I'm being vetted as a potential source of more grandchildren, I'm sure.
 

Sofia guides me to the living room, but before the inquisition can begin, Sofia's nephew Antonio walks straight up to me with his arms up to be held. I pick him up and smile at his adorable, four year old dimpled face.
 

"You're Mason," his little voice says as he squishes my cheeks and smushes my lips together.

"Yes I am," I mumble through his palms.
 

"You like Auntie Sofia," he says, staring straight at me.

"Yes I do," I nod.
 

"Are you nice?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a job?"

"Yes."

"Do you kiss her?"

"Yes."

His little face turns to Marco and says. "Was that everything?" Everyone chuckles as I stand there with my cheeks still clamped in his little hands. I tilt my head and look at him with as much of a smile I can attain with my face in his grip.
 

"Antonio?"

"What."

"This isn't really fair."

He furrows his brow at me. "What isn't."

"I have to use my hands to hold you up. How can I squish up your face so I can ask you questions? I would drop you. See? Not fair. Can we sit?"

He considers my request for a moment and every single member of her family is watching our interaction. I'm ok with it. I already adore this kid. Without letting go of my cheeks, he nods and allows me to sit down with him on the couch. This kid has an iron grip and I easily recognize his strength and tenacity. I may be intimidated by this tiny thing, but I'm also enthralled.

Finally situated with Antonio, he lets go of my cheeks and I grab his. "So how old are you?"

"Four," he mumbles through his own squished lips as he holds up his fingers.

"Do you have a job?"

"No. I'm a kid."

"Are you nice?"

"Yes."

"Do you kiss Auntie Sofia, too?"

"Not on the lips!" he wrinkles his nose.

"Was that everything?" I ask.
 

Still with his cheeks in my grip, he says, "You didn't ask about my toys."

I grin and let him go. He stays on my lap, facing me, dominating my attention completely. This kid, much like his aunt, will be able to do anything he wants in life.

"Will you tell me about your toys?"

He nods and begins a dissertation on why peek-a-blocks are better than regular blocks, why he doesn't play with trucks that are green, that monkeys make the best stuffed animals, and many other important topics. He drags me to his room to show me his favorite blankie. I smile the entire time, soaking up his happy innocence and enjoying yet another part of Sofia's life.
 

By the time I'm done reading his favorite book aloud for the third time, Sofia comes to the doorway.
 

"Antonio,
è tempo per la cena
, so go wash your hands."
 

He scrambles off the floor beside me and runs to the bathroom. Sofia stands with me for a moment and is smiling softly at me. "One more part of you," she shakes her head gently as I stand and walk to her. Her comfortable, loving demeanor around her family is yet another of her layers I'm now privy to. Each is more beautiful than the last. She kisses me with a sweet press of her lips just as Antonio comes out of the bathroom.

"Ew!"

We both chuckle. I start to walk toward the family room again but Sofia stops me. She leans up to my ear and whispers, "Marco was outside this door the entire time. When I came up, he smiled at me and said,
'è bravo'."
 

I smile and pull her in so I can kiss her temple. "Ready for lunch?"

"Yep."

"They're not going to let little Antonio have all the fun with the questions, are they."

"Nope."

"Wish me luck."

"
Buona fortuna
."

By late afternoon the next day, my mind is bouncing back and forth between the overwhelming sense of love and family from Sofia's home, and the ugly reality of our project. With regards to her family, they warmed to me almost immediately, with the exception of her father. His hardened glare never eased, but he did participate in the conversation after a while. I took that as a very good sign. He may be more fiercely protective of her than I am.
 

I smile at thoughts of Antonio, then I almost laugh again at the constant giggling of his nine-year-old sister, Cianni, and my heart thuds at their sweet baby brother, Gino. Each child is loved abundantly by every single member of the DiGiacamo clan, and I'm amazed at how strongly they celebrate their Italian heritage. Spending an afternoon surrounded by that pride and love was a privilege. I'm humbled when I think of the look on Nona's face when she took my hand. Her wise, crinkled eyes bore straight into me as she patted the backs of my knuckles. One quiet second passed before she nodded. She never said a word, but I understood her blessing nonetheless.
 

Sadly, that loud, happy luncheon is over and I'm back trying to finish what we started, planning to have more days like yesterday when we can relax away from the stress completely. To that end, I've gone through video surveillance, audio files, more layers of financial records…then cross check everything against the latest information from the DA's task force. What minor new details I find don't represent the kind of information I need in order to finish this damn project. Keeping my eyes forward with Sofia will be much easier once this vendetta is won.
 

I'm alone in the house when I notice a smiling Callen Reed picking the lock on my back door to let himself in. I chuckle. Only Bash.

"Can't knock?" I ask.

"What's the challenge in that? You need better security around here. That lock was far too easy to defeat. It wasn't even fun."

"Hey man," I greet with a grin as I stand to shake hands with my old friend. He reaches for my hand and uses his grip to pull me into an iron hug, complete with a hard clap on my back.