-four-

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**Hello you lovely bunch! Thank you so so much - it's only been week, but we are over 100 reads! I'm screaming!!
Just to let you know, updates will be consistent, but I need to write more chapters ahead of time, so be patient and we'll get there.**

***
M A S O N

I was officially having the shittiest day ever.

The twins were out doing whatever it was they did in their spare time, and I was stuck in my father's office, listening to him drone on and on and on about the importance of undercover work. Emphasis on undercover.

My father smacked the table, and I jumped up, shaking my head. 'Sorry, what were you saying?'

He pressed his lips together and stared at me, giving me the my-son-is-an-idiot look. 'For Christ's sake, Mason, pay attention when I'm speaking to you. What has gotten into you?'

That blonde girl from the diner.

What? I didn't mean that. Did I? In truth, she was on my mind. For one, she was the only one stupid or brave enough to look me in the eye - and talk to me. And buy me a drink when she and I both knew I needed it.

'You look like you could use it.' It was that voice, god dammit. That voice, edged with curiosity, and sass and- understanding. That blue eyed girl knew exactly who I was - a gang member, brooding over a drink as he thought about what the hell he was doing with his life.

And it's not like I meant to be a dick, I was just having a bad day. It was my mum's birthday. And I was full of grief and sorrow for the one woman in my life who used to being me joy.

Used to.

'God dammit, Mason, listen to me.' My father was leaning over his table, hands braced on either side, face red from shouting. He was mad - the usual.

At least, I thought so.

'Sorry, ' I muttered, blinking, 'I, um - oh whatever, continue.' Father sat down in his chair again, studying my face. I schooled my expression into one of cool detachment, staring right back at him. Two could play this game.

'What's wrong, son?'

I didn't answer, and sipped from my glass of water. He did this often; pretended that he actually cared about me, about my fucking feelings.

'I'm your father, Mason. You can talk to me, you know.'

I nearly spat my water out, I was so disgusted. Understatement of the fucking century, people. Talking to him was like talking to, I don't know, a brick wall. He'd never listen.

Instead of giving him a piece of my mind, I nodded blandly, 'I know, Father.'

He waved his hand, father duties apparently satisfied. I held back the urge to roll my eyes and simply got up and walked out.

Ever the dutiful son.

***
A FEW DAYS LATER

Jesus bloody Christ. I was so cold, my hands had turned pale, shaking as they clung to the ledges of the window just above where I was just about to slip in. The client was meant to meet me in twenty minutes, but I'd come early just in case.

I was about to jump the remaining distance and roll in, when movement below caught my eye. What the-

Shit. I was not alone.

I pressed myself back against the window, breathing so quietly I could barely it myself. Who the hell was here. Daring a look over the ledge, two figures swathed in black easily scaled up the walls and rolled into the window. Oh, bloody hell.

From the way they'd been climbing, they were skilled - and female. Father would never have sent two groups on the same mission... So it was the Salvation, then. I blew out a breath and slipped close to the window, angling my head to eavesdrop.

'I got nothing.'

'Me neither- ' A pause.

'What? What, Avery?'

The girls obviously had something important. I had to act. Now. Calming my pulse, I dropped onto the ledge, rolling. They didn't have a chance to turn as I pulled out my gun and began firing at the one standing at the cabinets.

'What the-'

'Shit,' the girl ducked, rolling behind the shelves, 'We are in such deep-'

Letting a grin grow beneath my mask, I was about to leap for the second masked woman, when-

Where was she? Shadows flickered behind me and I groaned internally as a bland was angled at my throat. Oh, for god's sake - a rookie mistake. The first girl barked at me to drop the gun, and I did.

'Who sent you?' I chuckled, replying in a low voice, in an attempt to change my voice, 'I don't spill trade secrets, sweetheart. Just give me those papers and I'll be gone. I won't hurt you or your friend either, as a thank you.' I cocked my head. 'What do you say, hmm?'

The blade pressed harder into my neck and I gagged, lifting my head to see the second woman in front of me, eyes burning with fury as she asked me questions.

'Who sent you?' I shook my head, unwilling to answer. She huffed a laugh, 'You're more trouble than I thought.' She stepped away for a split second, and I seized my chance, snatching the papers out of the first girl's hands, and propelling myself out of the window. I scaled the walls quickly and darted into the shadows of the alleyways as I jogged back to HQ.

But- Those eyes... I'd seen them before, somewhere, but I couldn't remember where. Frustration nagged at me, but I shoved it away, instead thinking of those eyes staring as I took the papers - she wasn't surprised that I took them.

She knew.

Oh, please. Jesus Christ. I stopped, leaning against the wall of the alley and pulled the papers out of my jacket. 'Please,' I breathed, 'Dear God, please.' It seems like my prayers were never answered. The papers were just stupid bank statements.

I'd failed. Again. I slid down the wall, ripped the mask off, and ran my hands through my hair.

Father was going to kill me.

***

That was Mason's first chapter - I'm not entirely happy with it, but we'll see how it goes. Give me a few days, then updates should be regular.

Comment, vote, and SHARE! Don't be a ghost reader! Leave feedback for me too, it's helpful - what you want to happen, what you liked and didn't like.

-M

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