

### If You Could Only See

Copyright 2019 Monica Clayton

Published by M.E. Clayton

All Rights Reserved

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This book is a work of fiction. The entire content is a product of the author's imagination and all names, places, businesses, and incidences are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), places or occurrences, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent from the author, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Formatting: Smashwords

Cover: Adobe Stock

Warning: This book contains sexual situations and other adult themes. Recommended for 18 years of age and over.
Table of Contents

Author's Note

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Prologue

1. Shane

2. Mason

3. Shane

4. Mason

5. Shane

6. Mason

7. Shane

8. Mason

9. Shane

10. Mason

11. Shane

12. Mason

13. Shane

14. Mason

15. Shane

16. Mason

17. Shane

18. Mason

19. Shane

20. Mason

21. Shane

22. Mason

23. Shane

24. Mason

25. Shane

Epilogue

Playlist

About the Author

Other Books

Contact Me
Author's Note

Just a couple of things before I let you go and get your read on. While I am doing my best to work with better editing and proofreading software, all my books are solo, independent works. I write my books, proofread my books, edit my books, create the covers, etc. I have one beta who gives me feedback on my stories, but other than that, all my books are independent projects.

That being said, I apologize, in advance, for the typos, grammar inconsistencies, or any other mistakes I may make. Since writing is strictly a hobby for me, I haven't looked for commitments in regard to publishers, editors, etc. My hope is that my stories are enjoyable enough that a few mistakes, here and there, can be overlooked. If not, my books are probably not for you.

Also, I am an avid reader-I mean an _AVID_ reader. I love to read above any other hobby. One of the things about reading that hurts my heart, though, is when I fall in love with a book, but I have to wait for the additional books in the series to be released. Because I feel that disappointment down to my soul, I vowed that if I ever write a series, all books will be published at once. Nope-no waiting over here...LOL. So, if you are reading one of my books, but can't find any other books on the secondary characters of that book, that means the book is a standalone project.

Now, that being said, if there are enough requests for the secondary characters' stories, I try to accommodate that. So, it is possible for a series to develop unexpectedly. Should that happen, I will do my best to release the rest of the requested book all at once.

Thank You! You are truly making my dreams come true!
Acknowledgements

The first acknowledgement will always be my husband (unless we ever divorce, then probably not so much after that), but seeing as how I can't imagine that day ever coming, I can't ever put myself out there without thanking him for all his love, support and belief in me.

Second, there's my family; my daughter, my son, my grandchildren, my sister, and my mother. They are the people who love me the most, know me the best, and love me dearly, despite all they know...LOL!

And, of course, there's Kamala. She insists that I don't have to thank her in every book, but my love for her and gratitude for all her support and enthusiasm, claims otherwise. She's the first person (outside my family) that I shared this dream with, and she's been by my side every step of the way. Kam, you really are the best kind of friend!

And, finally, I'd like to thank everyone who's purchased, read, reviewed, shared, and supported me and my writing. Thank you so much for helping make this dream a reality and a happy, fun one at that! There are not enough 'Thank You's in the world.
Dedication

For my husband –

Your constant efforts to make sure I know that I'm always enough, heal me more than you can imagine. I love you more than you can possibly ever know.
Prologue

There was blood everywhere.

Well, maybe not everywhere...but it sure seemed that way. Of course, I wasn't knowledgeable enough to assess how much was an appropriate amount of blood in a situation like this.

I've experienced nothing like this before.

No one's ever placed me in a position of importance before.

Nope.

Never.

I was that girl no one noticed.

I was that girl whose name no one knew.

Okay, maybe that wasn't entirely true.

I had one friend.

Viola.

Vivi.

She was my friend.

She was the first, and only person who had made it a point to say hi and get to know me when I had first arrived at Blaineview College. And while I wasn't her only friend, she's been my only friend for the past three years of my uneventful existence here.

However, my existence at this small, private college was no longer uneventful.

No, Siree Bob.

It's now full of events.

Like Viola standing a few feet away from me screaming at anyone who was daring to have an opinion and was stupid enough to voice it.

Like complete strangers flashing shots of me with their phone cameras.

Like the douchebag college tools, suddenly, scanning my body up and down eerily.

Like the elite female cliques, suddenly, shooting daggers my way as if I've somehow offended them.

Like Aiden Buchanan draping his jacket over my shoulders, in some weird attempt at comfort.

I mean...Aiden fucking Buchanan. What in the ever lovin' hell?

The only people who weren't staring me down, like an insect on the dissecting table, were Viola, in all her furious glory, the two men who weren't charging each other-only because they were each being held back by a team of testosterone-and the two teams of said testosterone.

All these latest current events were happening all around me and my mind was kind of sluggish with the comprehension of all of it.

And while, yes, this is-or was a college party, I might have been buzzed. But I wasn't anymore, so the sluggishness wasn't because of any mind-altering liquid goodness.

It was because I shouldn't be in the middle of anything remotely newsworthy.

Remember...I was the girl that no one notices.

I kept my head down and stayed out of everyone's business.

I went to class and when I wasn't in class, I was working. And when I wasn't in class or working, I was studying or sleeping.

I. Do. Not. Bother. Anyone.

Ever.

And I'm definitely not the girl that guys fight over.

So, how was it I've landed smack dab in the middle of...well, I didn't know what this was. My mind was still trying to process what happening and why. My eyes kept taking in the scene, but my mind kept flipping over in confusion. I mean, none of this makes any sense.

How did Branson Morgan even notice me among the crowd of people here? And why would he choose me-of all people-to flirt with?

Branson even knew my name, for Pete's sake. Why would he bother paying enough attention to catch and remember my name?

And why, in the name of all that's holy, would Mason Buchanan come flying out of nowhere and start a fight with anyone over me?

I mean...Mason Buchanan hated me.
Chapter 1

Shane~

Sitting on the couch, pajama pants cladded and everything, I went over my fall semester schedule one last time. I couldn't believe this was it. I was only two semesters away from graduating Blaineview College with a degree in Business Management & Finance and I did it all on my own.

Sure, it meant I had missed out on the hyped-up 'college life', but I didn't mind. Getting a degree and being able to feed myself took precedence over getting sloppy drunk and probably roofied.

And, yeah, so I was a twenty-two-year-old virgin, but guys were in the same category as getting sloppy drunk and probably roofied. And, no, I wasn't saving my lady flower for that special someone or waiting for marriage. I just hadn't gotten around to the dating phase of my life yet.

I suppose I shouldn't be so cavalier about my virginity, but I wasn't a big believer in true love and fated destinies. I learned early on that people were replaceable and my life was important to only one person.

Me.

Well, me and Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

And believe me, I wasn't a zealous religious nut or anything like that, but growing up in foster homes, I had prayed to God a lot. And by His good graces alone, I had gotten through the system avoiding the deep evils that existed within it.

I wish I could paint a sad, sorrowful story of my parents tragically dying in a car wreck when I was young or something like that, but that wasn't the case. My parents had both been drug addicts, and they had both died with needles in their veins.

I had been five.

So, I was already used to being neglected by the time I had been introduced to my caseworker. Therefore, the systematic neglect hadn't bothered me much growing up, but the physical abuse had been something new. But with every lash of the belt and every slap across the face, I had bargained with God that I'd gladly suffer the physical abuse as long as it never crossed over to sexual abuse.

He must have heard me and thought my compromise worthy because the random beatings had continued, but I had been lucky enough to survive the rest of the darkness unscathed.

I had spent the first ten years in foster care keeping my head down and trying to remain invisible. I had wanted to belong somewhere permanently, and I had believed that if I kept myself from being an inconvenience, I would be able to stay.

It doesn't work like that.

I learned the hard way that, even if a foster family wanted to keep me, unless they adopted me, they had to comply with the supply and demand of places for lost children.

So, by the time it was all said and done, I had lived with six different foster families, the last family being where I stayed the longest. They had taken me in when I was fifteen, and that was where I had fostered out of.

They had been a decent family and, sometimes, I felt like they really liked me. But by the time the state had placed me with them, I already had planned out a path for my life and not even their kindness could deter me from it.

The second I had comfortable and secure enough to think I wasn't going to be moved again, I had taken night classes and had gone to summer school to knock out my high school credits. When I had turned sixteen, I stopped the night classes and had gotten two afterschool jobs, but I still had gone to summer school.

By the time I was a senior in high school, I had two grades under my belt, boasting of straight A's and a healthy savings account. I had spent a lot of my senior year taking independent college courses, and when I had graduated, my transcripts had me look like a genius, even though it was hard work that had deserved all the credit.

When I had started to apply for colleges, I had known that, even with my academic transcripts being as good as they were, a big college would have been too much for me. I had known that, as soon as I graduated, I would have no one. And that meant college would be all on me. Even with my savings, it still would not have been enough to get me through school and still allow me to eat.

So, I spent countless hours searching small colleges and comparing four-year programs to six. I had looked up scholarships and grants available to children raised in foster care. I had researched cost of living near every one of those small colleges, too. I mean, I researched everything.

And I do mean eeevvveeerrryyything.

I was not going to give up on my dream of getting a degree no matter what. And if it took me spending countless hours on the computer, researching every college in the country, then that's what I was going to do.

When Blaineview first came to my attention, I was going to pass on it immediately. It was a private college with all its monies privately donated by the attendee's families. It was the epitome of rich and elite. It wasn't a place I would have seen myself going to.

But when I saw that they had a program for 'Social Growth & Community Improvement', I had clicked on the link and it had taken me to what amounted to a charity project. Basically, every year, Blaineview chose three poor kids to sponsor through college.

There were a million conditions, though. And if you became successful after graduation, you had to pledge a certain amount of your income to the college for a minimum of ten years. And that stipulation came with its own million conditions. It had felt like promising your first born to Rumpelstiltskin.

The biggest lure was that Blaineview contracted to pay for all academic needs, such as books, project materials, pens, paper...the works. So, not only was your tuition paid for, but you had a supply allowance, leaving you to only have to fend for your living costs.

But that's where it got super tacky.

And insulting.

If you were one of the chosen students of their little charity program, then you weren't allowed to live in the dorms. You had to find housing off campus, and those living expenses were your sole responsibility.

They didn't mind paying for your education as long as you paid them back at a later date. But what they did mind was their charity cases daring to mingle above their station. You could go to school alongside their perfect children, you just weren't allowed to engage with them socially.

The theory...well, my theory was that it was all a test. In appreciation for their generosity, you had to prove you were worthy of such generosity.

But I had still applied, even with my reservations about the college, because I was serious about my path out of poverty and pity. I wasn't going to let my pride close any doors on future possibilities. A bunch of rich kids were not going to intimidate me out of a future.

Besides, Blaineview was one of the most illustrious and prestigious business and finance colleges in the country. If it had the feeling of an elite-secret-knock kind of school, that's because it was. Blaineview graduates went on to run Wall Street and the like. So, I applied and was shocked all to hell when I had been chosen as one of the three.

My first day at Blaineview had been a reenactment of my first day in my first foster home. I knew I didn't belong, and so, I had kept my head down and minded my own business.

The second they had accepted me, I had researched the town of Prescott, Indiana and had a job before classes had even started. I had done all this, discussing none of it with The Stones, my foster family. I didn't need different opinions confusing me or deviating me from the course I had set for myself.

My savings had been enough to secure a small apartment within walking distance of the college and the town had a bus service that could get me to work. Everything looked to be working out, and when I couldn't put off telling Adam and Maggie any longer, I had sat down with them and told them everything.

Maggie had cried and Adam looked sad, but proud.

But what had surprised me the most was, the day I was set to leave, they had presented me with a check for twenty-four thousand dollars. When I had tried to decline it, Maggie explained that it was the total of the foster payments they had received for the three years I was with them. Adam added that they fostered kids because they loved children and not for the money. They felt the money belonged to the kids, and they always gave the money to their foster children to help give them a future.

I took the check, and it wasn't until that night, when I was sitting on the bed that came with my furnished apartment, did I allow myself to cry over their generous and kind natures. I still talk to them from time to time, but I've seriously spent all my college years with little time on my hands for anything other than work and school.

I juggled eating and sleeping in there, too, sometimes.

And now, three years later, I was one year away from holding the chance at a real future in my hands. So, yeah, I may have spent the past three years with my nose in a book or a menu in my hand, serving people, but it was all going to pay off soon.

I didn't regret not going to parties, meeting guys, or making friends in the least. Those things hadn't been a priority growing up, and they sure hadn't been a priority when I had gotten to college-much to Viola's dismay.

I still spent my summers turning my two part-time jobs during the semesters into two full-time jobs to pad my savings account and I still studied like it was my first day of school. For three years, I've never veered off my path to have a little something for myself.

While everyone else was looking for a sense of purpose when they became adults, all I wanted was to secure a home, so I would never be homeless or displaced ever again.

Blaineview was making that happen.

The only dark spot in all of this was Mason Buchanan.
Chapter 2

_Mason~_

"Sonofabitch!" Bending over, I rubbed the sting out of my right shin.

"Oh, hey. Sorry about that."

I looked up at the sound of my younger brother's voice. "What the hell are all these boxes doing in the living room, Aiden?"

He smirked. "The twins told the movers to just unload everything in the living room and they'd put it all always later. And I'm not breaking my back with this shit all by myself." I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath.

I spent eighteen years living in a house with my three brothers, finally making my escape when I left for Blaineview, and now, I was right back where I escaped from.

Now, don't get me wrong. I loved my brothers. There's nothing I wouldn't do for them and there's nothing they wouldn't do for me. But we were still four grown men living together and that dynamic always had the potential to turn annoying.

Early on, we all knew we'd be attending Blaineview for college. Our father was an alumnus, and he contributes his entire empire to the education he got here. But I suspected his success was attributed more to the fact that his parents, and their parents before them, had been wealthy and established. And so, my father hadn't had to do much to secure his 'empire'.

Very much like me and my brothers were doing now.

The only difference was that I wasn't an only child, as my father had been, and his father before him. The conditions placed on me to take over Buchanan Industries were also placed on each of my brothers.

And that was perfectly okay with me.

I had no desire to run myself into the ground trying to maintain BI's standards and growth alone. I didn't mind being in charge, and I wasn't afraid of hard work, but I refused to be so business oriented that I ended up neglecting my wife and raising our children like they were in military boot camp, later down the line.

Besides, whatever I could bring to the table would be ten times better with my brothers beside me. We all had our strengths, and we all had our weakness, as evident by the constant reminders by our father.

I had a photographic memory and could multi-task with ease. I had the ability to grab and take control of anything that was thrown at me. That's probably why I've never knocked the shit out of my father before. I've always been able to handle whatever he heaped onto my shoulders. And that included the shoulders of my brothers. Someone had to protect them from the sadistic bastard.

The flip side to my coin was that it was hard for me to identify with emotions. I was cold and hard, and I struggled with connecting to people.

At twenty-one-years-old, Aiden was the second oldest...or I guess, technically the middle child, since our two youngest brothers were twins. Aiden's gift was his ability to do math in his head. He could calculate numbers, odds, and situational outcomes with his robotic mind. It was really a neat thing to witness.

The flip side to his coin was the female creation. Aiden had spent his teenage years struggling between keeping focused on our father's vision and sinking in between a female's thighs.

The twins were eighteen, and our mother should have named them Lucifer and Dante instead of Gabriel and Michael, because angels they were not.

Gabriel was the oldest by three minutes, making Michael the youngest. Gabriel's contribution to my father's Buchanan Industries vision was that the kid could read people. It was uncanny and kind of eerie how he could spend ten minutes in someone's company, and then, tell you everything about the person's character. He had played a big part in keeping Aiden away from any planned 'accidents' growing up. Gabriel could spot a conniving, gold-digging whore from a mile away.

The flip side to his coin was that his loyalty is absolute. If I asked Gabriel to go with me to murder someone, he'd go. No questions asked. He ignored reason when it came to me, Aiden, Michael, our mother and, unfortunately, our father. And our father wasn't above manipulating that loyalty.

Last, there was Michael. Now, you would think with him being the baby of the family, he would have been spared our father's dictations, but he wasn't and isn't. I always suspected Michael got hit with my father's demands the hardest because, after Michael, my father had no one left to beat on and bully...well, except for our mother.

Michael's strength was his calm, cool demeanor. While I could juggle a lot of demands and expectations, Michael could remain calm, even when he was in the eye of the storm. While everyone around him panicked and frantically tried to find reason, Michael could compartmentalize and find solutions to any crisis.

The flip side to his coin was his temper. Michael's temper rarely came out. I mean, very rarely. But when it did...Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, was it a sight to behold. Michael not only lost his temper, he got violent.

Scary violent.

And he had the scars to prove it. It was the only way we could tell him apart from Gabriel. And it didn't help that he could fight like a caged animal just sprung loose.

We all could.

Our father made sure his sons grew up with all the expectations of what a real man is supposed to be-in his eyes. So, we were all bred to all be intelligent, groomed, strong, ambitious, and ferocious.

Separately, we were hard to take on. But together, there's been no one-so far-that's been able to stop us whenever we've gone after something together. And now, we were all together again and Blaineview has been in an uproar over it.

Guys are trying to become our 'bros' and girls are tripping over themselves trying to land one of us. I get it, but I don't. Hanging out with random guys has never been an issue for me. I didn't mind running with a crowd, I just wouldn't call anyone here an actual friend.

I've hung out, gone to parties, and have even gone on weekend trips camping or whatever. But not one person on this campus has ever been invited to my house. It wasn't a secret where I lived, but it's also not a secret that if you haven't been personally invited to my house by, either me or Aiden...or I guess now Michael or Gabriel, too...then you had better not come knocking on our door. Over the years, a few bold-or stupid-people have tried showing up unexpectedly, and every time, it turned out unfavorable for them.

One girl ran away in tears and she switched schools.

Again, I had problems connecting and sympathy was not an emotion that affected me often. And as far as when I felt the need to get my dick wet...well, that's when I would take a weekend to myself and drive the two hours to the city and hook up with someone I'll never see again. And I only use the condoms I buy, and I put them on myself. I also inspect them before and afterwards.

A little paranoia at work? Yeah, maybe. But it beats the alternative.

And as far as I understood, Aiden exercised the same methods. Only he wets his drought with more than one woman on the weekends he gets away. Gabriel has a steady girlfriend...or had...I'm not really sure what the deal is now that he's at Blaineview. While Gabriel loves her, I'm not sure where she stands with long-distant relationships. And I'm almost positive that Michael is a virgin.

By choice.

Our father's coming of age talk was him telling us he didn't care what we did as long as there weren't pictures, promises, or unwanted pregnancies. So, when I had a real talk with my younger brothers as they matured, Michael had said I didn't need to worry about him because he had no plans on getting involved with random girls next door. He had told me that he wasn't going to fuck anyone until he was positive she could handle his intensity and survive the experience.

I had to admit, his statement had been a bit alarming at the time, but I get it now. When Michael finally decides to claim someone, it's going to be for life. And God help any man who dares come in contact with the poor unsuspecting female.

He'll kill him.

And I get it.

I really do.

I've spent most of my life unable to connect with other people. Except for my brothers, I don't think I've ever felt anything beyond the superficial with any other human being.

Did it hint at the makings of a sociopath? Maybe. But the only reason I knew I wasn't a complete psychopath...??

I locked eyes with her our freshman year when she looked lost and like she had wanted to ask me for help. The look on my face must have discouraged her because she had taken one look at me and had walked away.

But I'll never forget how looking into that girl's hazel eyes made me feel everything.

And I've hated/loved her ever since.
Chapter 3

Shane~

It was the Friday before the semester officially began, and I was just finishing my shift at the local bookstore/café near my apartment. It had been my first job here, and this was my last day of my full-time shifts. My second job was waitressing at a restaurant in town, but that job had already returned to part-time last week.

The bookstore was surprisingly popular and busy all year long. With the internet, most people did everything online, but the library had computer stations and a lot of online support for students who lost or broke their laptops, etc.

I had just finished ringing up the last person in the store when the bell on the door rang, alerting me to a new customer. I twisted backwards and glanced up at the clock and I saw that it was five minutes to closing. I turned to the door saying, "I'm so...rry-" My mouth dried up and lost all ability to function when I came face-to-face with all four Buchanan brothers.

And blessed be every mother, father, and child, because what a sight it was. If it weren't for the fact that Mason Buchanan was shooting me a dark look-making it clear I was nothing more than dirt underneath his shoes-I'd probably swoon at the vision before me.

I immediately noticed that Mason was the tallest, but that was the only difference in built they had amongst them. All four men looked like sleek, muscular, well-honed machines underneath their casual jeans and t-shirts.

Anyone looking at them could tell they were brothers. They all had a head full of ink-black hair, though all styled differently. They all had matching brows with the same sharp, distinct shaped eyes. The only difference was that Mason's eyes were like molten silver and the other three had eyes like green fire.

They each shared the same nose and strong cheekbones to accompany the perfect symmetry of everything else that made up their perfect faces. They each shared the same cut jaw line, but Mason's was more prominent, probably because he was the oldest. The twins looked exactly all their age of eighteen.

I had heard all the buzz and excitement surrounding the impending arrival of the twins just like everyone else. And every person on campus who had ovaries was losing her mind over the thought of having all Buchanans in one place.

Come to think of it, some people without ovaries were probably losing their minds, too.

"What's got you sorry, Pretty Girl?"

I focused my attention on the twin who asked me that question, and let me tell you, it was hard to concentrate on anything other than the boy's extraordinary looks. "Uh...uhm, we're cl...closing in five min...minutes," I stuttered, wondering how my mind was even functioning, because my mind always seems to shut down around Mason Buchanan and his blatant hatred for me.

I wish I knew why he hated me, but I didn't. The first time I had ever laid eyes on him, I had been standing in front of the administration offices, completely lost. I had been trying my best to get along without having to engage anyone, but I had finally realized how stupid it was to waste time trying to figure out where to report to when I could just ask someone. I had turned around to ask whoever caught my eye, but my eyes had locked onto Mason Buchanan's silver ones and I'll never forget the look on his face when his eyes met mine.

At first, his silver eyes had looked casual, and then...shocked. But then, I had blinked, and his face had completely transformed. It had gone from indifference to utter loathing. He had looked so disgusted with me, I could actually feel his dislike for me from where I had been standing.

The revelation had cut me to the quick. I had spent my entire life keeping to myself, and the first time I attempted to put my reservations away and approach someone, he looked like he'd just as soon spit in my face as talk to me.

I had turned around and fled.

From that moment on, every time I ran across Mason Buchanan, he'd stare at me with that same look of loathing and disgust. He must have been able to look at me and tell that I had been one of the three charity cases at Blaineview.

Twin #2 leaned on his elbow across the counter and smirked at me. "So, does that mean you're kicking us out?"

Yeah, right.

I wasn't that big of an idiot.

There was no way I'd kick these four out of the store, no matter how long past closing they wanted to shop here. "Uhm, no," I whispered. "Bu...but the kitchen is closed, so you can only buy books, if..."

Twin #1 joined Twin #2 in leaning over the counter. "You're very pretty," he said conversationally. I could feel my face blanch. I knew my looks didn't run towards the ugly side of the spectrum, but I was far from pretty.

There was absolutely nothing remarkable about me.

I had plain, wavy brown hair that stopped in the middle of my back and I rarely did anything with it besides throw it up in a bun or ponytail. My eyes were hazel, but then, so were a million other people's eyes. My nose was average and fit my face averagely. My lips were a little thick, but I stayed away from lipstick to keep them from being noticeable. I had rosy cheeks, but that was because of my light complexion. The only thing awesome about my face was that I had perfectly arched eyebrows that didn't need plucking. But they were kind of marred by the beauty mark that looked like a period at the end of my right eyebrow.

And if my face was crowd-blendable, my body was no better. I was five-foot-two-inches, and my body worked with my height. I had a B cup that all the C and D cups that ran through the campus hallways easily overshadowed. I had a small waist, and it flared out to my hips, but my hips and ass matched my frame. And my legs were just long enough to make me five-foot-two. I was no Vivi, with all her natural, alluring curves.

So, Twin #1 clearly had to be drunk or high to utter that untrue statement. "I...I don't think...I'm..." Yeah...super articulate, I know.

He arched his brow and froze me with his gorgeous green gaze. "You don't think you're pretty?"

I was completely befuddled. His stunning looks were rendering me stupid, and Christ, the kid had dimples. Why would God add dimples to these faces? They were lethal as it was without them. "Are you...can I..." I had to clear my throat. "Is there something I can help you find?"

Twin #2 chuckled as Twin #1 threw his head back and said, "What do you think, Mase? Is there something she can help us with?"

My body froze as he addressed Mason.

There was a second of silence and my entire body shook when Mason's voice broke the silence in the room. "There's not a single thing she can do to help us," he bit out coldly. And I cursed myself when my body reacted to his words. Or maybe I should say his voice. His words were rude, but his voice sounded like silk being draped over the dirtiest of sins.

Suddenly, I could feel myself angering and everything in me wanted to ask him what the hell his problem was, but I wasn't that foolish.

There were four of them.

And just because I've taken beatings from grown men before when I was younger and in foster care, that didn't mean I wanted a repeat. And I didn't know these guys well enough to chance it.

My bravery turned to fear when I heard the obvious signs of a door locking. My head turned towards the door, and I caught Aiden Buchanan locking the store's front door, as bold as you please.

I silently thanked God that the blinds were still open and passing pedestrians could still see inside the store if they took the time to look. I mentally bargained with The Lord again that, if he got me out of this encounter unscathed, I'd picked a religious charity to invest in once I landed a job.

I returned my attention to the twins and tried to sound professional, but stern. "I need to close up the store before I get in trouble. Was there something you guys wanted that you need help with?"

Twin #2 answered, "Nope. Not a thing, Pretty Girl." He winked at me, and I swear, my knees almost buckled. "We just stopped by to check out a thing or two." I stood, confused beyond all reason, as I watched Aiden unlock the door and all four of them file out of the store.

The worse part?

While I was happy to watch them leave, having Mason Buchanan give me one final look over his shoulder made my entire body shiver, and it wasn't in a good way.

After a few seconds, I snapped out of my stupor, ran to the front of the store, engaged the lock on the front door, and pulled down the blinds.

I let out a deep breath as my back hit the wall and I slid down until my ass hit the floor.

What in the ever lovin' fuck just happened?

Why in the hell would any of them come in here?

In all the three years I have worked here, I've never seen Mason or Aiden come in here. I mean, I suppose they could have come in here during my off shifts, but still, what were the odds?

I closed my eyes to rid myself of the image of all four Buchanans, but it wasn't helping. It's a wonder I hadn't died of a heart attack having all their attentions centered on me.

No matter what the reason.

And Mason finally acknowledging my existence, even if it had been indirectly, was enough to give me nightmares. I mean, I knew he didn't like me, but I never thought he'd actually be mean to my face.

I would have to work extra hard to be invisible from now on.
Chapter 4

_Mason~_

"Now I see what all the fuss is about," Gabriel said, as he plopped himself down on the couch. The twins had all their shit unpacked and put away by Wednesday, so the living room was, once again, livable.

"Yeah," Michael agreed as he sat down on one of the armchairs in the room. "That girl is smokin' hot. She doesn't need makeup with that lickable little beauty mark she has by her eye."

"Watch it," I growled.

Aiden clapped me on the back as he passed me on his way towards the kitchen. "Relax, Mase. They're just fucking with you."

"Uh, actually, I'm not," Gabriel countered. "That girl is Grade-A...Ow!"

I slapped him upside his head as I passed the couch and followed Aiden into the kitchen. "I don't need your commentary review on her, Gabriel. I just needed you two to know what she looks like, so neither of you hits on her, making me have to kill you." Gabriel snorted. He knew I knew they wouldn't.

It had been about six months after I had first seen Shane that I finally accepted that I was fucked when it came to that girl. I had spent most of my life not feeling much of anything for people, but every time I saw her or was near her, curiosity, concern, want, desire, possessiveness, protectiveness, and lust like a motherfucker assaulted me.

I had known she was different, but I had been hoping the feelings she invoked would go away with time. But they hadn't. All they did was end up becoming a full-blown obsession.

It was then I confided in Aiden and we did whatever we needed to do to find out all about her. It didn't take long to see that Shane did nothing outside going to class, going to work, and studying. She had only one friend, and if she dated, no one could tell.

Granted, had she dated, it probably wouldn't have gone well for her. And it sure as fuck wouldn't have gone well for the poor bastard who dared ask her out.

She was mine whether she knew it or not.

Aiden had grabbed a bottled water out of the fridge, and then, leaned back against the door, looking at me. "Are you sure you're going to be able to last until you graduate?" he asked.

I didn't blame him for asking. That little visit to the bookstore hadn't been necessary. I could have pointed her out to the twins a million different ways, but for some reason, I had wanted to rattle her. "I've managed for three years, already. What's a few more months?" I shrugged my shoulder.

He wasn't buying it and, apparently, neither were the twins, as evident when they both walked into the kitchen to join in on our little heart-to-heart. "I think the girl is beautiful," Michael chimed in. "It is possible Dad will overlook her pedigree and just be happy for...okay, forget I said anything."

We all stood silent as Michael pretty much nailed it on the head. The only reason I've kept my distance for the past three years is because our father would lose his shit if he knew I was interested in a girl who didn't come from money or influence.

Now, don't get me wrong, I couldn't give two fucks if my dad liked Shane or not. But my problem lies in the fact that he still holds the purse strings to our future. If he knew where my mind was, I had no doubt he would threaten me any way he could to put me back onto the path he's envisioned for me. And that would include the money he was paying for my education and Buchanan Industries.

The true issue at hand was that, Shane had me so tied up in knots, I'd give up Buchanan Industries to be with her. There were three other sons who could take the conglomerate just as far as I could, so I had no conscience about walking away from it. I couldn't, however, walk away from my degree. I needed my degree from Blaineview to step into my father's shoes at Buchanan Industries. And I'd definitely need it if I were forced to carve a different path for myself because of Shane...or, rather, because of my father, who was a stuck up, snobby, elitist with no conscience. And while I loved my mother very much, she was weak and no help to any of us. She was a constant disappointment to us.

"Okay," Gabriel said, breaking the silence. "What's the plan, then?"

That was easy. "With you two fucks here now, you can help Aiden keep an eye on her," I answered.

"So, what? Like we stalk her?"

I sighed. "No, Gabe, you don't stalk her. You just pay attention if you see her around."

"That sounds a little bit like stalking, Mase," Michael countered.

I threw my hands up. "Then, fine. Stalk her," I snapped.

Michael arched a brow at my shortness. "You realize that none of this is normal, right?"

I arched a brow back. "Do you think I give a fuck?"

He smirked. "No, but she might," he replied.

"Meaning?"

Michael let out a small, condescending laugh, and I wanted to punch his face in for it. But I didn't because I loved my brother. "Come on, Mason. It's one thing for Aiden to keep a lookout and for you to go all stealthy ninja stalker on her. But do you really think that girl is not going to notice four fucking Buchanans suddenly everywhere she is?"

"He's got a point," Aiden agreed. "I mean, it's easy to keep tabs on her because she's been taking a lot of the same classes we have, but Mike and Gabe have no reason to be near her." He snorted. "And let's face it, they're kind of hard to miss, Mase."

I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated, knowing they were right. Shane would know something was up if she caught wind of being surrounded by Buchanans suddenly. A part of me wanted to pull her aside and tell her everything from the first moment I saw her, but I couldn't bring myself to approach her with my nonsense and family drama.

When I make Shane mine, I want to do it while letting the entire world know she's mine. I didn't want to hide her like she's something to be ashamed of. The thought of telling her I wanted to be with her, but we had to keep it a secret, made my skin crawl.

She's the only person who's ever made me feel. She deserved to be treated like a goddess and not some dirty little secret.

And that included providing for her once I made her mine.

And that meant getting my fucking degree even if it meant making me wait four fucking years to claim her.

And truth be told, I wasn't completely opposed to chucking it all and going to work for Home Depot or somewhere as long as she was with me. But I knew she was a scholarship student, and I spent the last three years watching her work her ass off for her degree, and I would not be the reason she didn't accomplish all her goals.

I would not be the reason she didn't achieve all her dreams.

"Even if she does notice an increase of Buchanan sightings, it's not like she will do anything about it," I reasoned. "She's quiet and keeps to herself. She's not going to start a war with us."

Gabriel huffed out a laugh. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, big brother. It's always the quiet ones who end up with bodies buried in their backyard."

"True story," Michael agreed.

"You know whose bodies will be buried in the backyard if you two don't shut the fuck up?" I growled.

Gabriel let out a low whistle. "Damn, Mase. Sounds like someone needs to get laid," he teased. I didn't appreciate it, so I growled back at him again.

"Okay, okay, okay," Aiden jumped in, hands up. "We have all weekend to work out the details on what's the best way to stalk Shane..."

"Mmmm, mm, mm...even her name's sexy," Michael remarked dreamily.

"I will fucking kill you, Michael, if-"

"Hey!" Aiden interrupted. "Enough!" Michael and Gabriel snickered, while I tried rein in the madness in my mind. "Can we all just chill the fuck out and relax a little?" He scanned all our faces before adding, "If my memory serves me correctly, we have a party to get ready for tonight. Do you guys think we can just concentrate on that for right now? You know, having a good time and all that."

I ran a hand through my hair again. "Yeah," I conceded. "Yeah. I'm sorry."

"You know we're just giving you shit, right?" Gabriel asked me. "That girl-your girl. Shane. We got her, Mase. I don't care if I don't understand what she does to you at a level that turns you into a lunatic. If you say she's it-she's yours-that's all I need to know."

I clapped my hand on his shoulder. "I know, Gabe. I do."

"So, this party," Michael jumped in, putting a stop to all the hearts and flowers, "we're going just to make an appearance, right?"

Aiden speared him with his mirrored green gaze. "Same rules apply, as always."

Gabriel groaned. "So, no losing my college virginity tonight?" he joked. Again, I wasn't sure if he was still seeing Justice, now that they were living so far apart, but if they were, Gabriel's loyalty was solid. No girl here could turn his head no matter what. The twins might joke, tease, or flirt, but they weren't wishy-washy. If Gabriel was still with Justice Hillman, then that was that. If Michael was still saving himself for the right girl, then that was that.

"If the rest of us have to keep it in our pants, so do you, little brother," Aiden teased back.

"You guys sure know how to suck the sunlight out of my day," he grumbled, then headed to his room muttering about not needing college pussy anyway.
Chapter 5

_Shane~_

"I cannot believe I let you talk me into coming to this party," I said, yet again, still feeling entirely uncomfortable and out of my element.

Viola shoved her shoulder into mine. "Awe, come on, Shane."

"And I really can't believe I let you talk me into wearing this ridiculous outfit!" I hissed.

Her eye widened. "Are you freakin' kidding me? You look hot as hell."

I looked down at my outfit again and I wondered how Viola even put this look together. I was a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl and Viola had me gussied up in a white tank top that was too form fitting for my liking, but...damn, did it make the girls look good. They might only be B cups, but the tank top made them look full, perky, and in your face.

She paired the top with a dark blue skirt that hugged my hips but flared out around my thighs. It stopped at the middle of my thighs leaving my legs bare for anyone to ogle. I put my foot down at her demand to wear heels. I negotiated her into a pair of simple, white, flat sandals.

Vivi's idea of a compromise was to give up the fight on the heels if I allowed her to do my hair and makeup. It hadn't felt like much of a compromise, but I reluctantly agreed.

She had straightened my brown hair, so it was parted down the middle and hung down my back, and she did my eye makeup to 'make my eyes pop out', she claimed. But I was grateful that her makeup job turned out subtle and I wasn't geared up for circus auditions. I could admit I looked decent, but I still felt like I was crawling out of my skin with uncertainty and self-doubt.

This look was so not me.

I scanned Viola from head to toe and told her honestly, "Not standing next to you, I don't." I nudged her shoulder back. "You look super sexy."

"I suppose it depends on who you ask," she replied, but in my opinion, if you asked anyone, they would agree that Viola was an 'It Girl'.

She didn't shy away from her natural curls and they hung in perfect, dark ringlets around her flawless face. Perfectly arched eyebrows and large, brown eyes along with a button nose and high cheekbones made up her face. Her lips were plump and soft, but it was her complexion that brought it all together. Her skin was the shade of an immaculate hue of chocolate silk and her body was rocking like only a girl with her heritage could. Vivi was sporting a noticeable rack, and combined with her wide hips and round ass, it gave her an hourglass figure worth envying, for sure.

I lifted a brow. "I bet if I asked Micah, he'd agree," I challenged.

Her eyes sparkled at the mention of Micah's name. He wasn't exactly her boyfriend, but he was the guy she went to if she was ever in need of male companionship. She gave me a sly smile. "He should be here tonight," she divulged. "You won't be mad if I leave with him, will you?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Just as long as you let me know when you're leaving, so I can leave too," I told her.

Her brows crunched together above her pretty eyes. "Now, you know I would never do that to you, Shane. What do I look like, pulling some shit like that?"

I smiled back at her. "I know, Vi. I'm just feeling very uncomfortable."

Her expression changed from offended to sympathetic. "I know, Shane, but...I just thought since this is our last year, we could do one silly thing together. You're entirely too serious, and even though I understand why, I really just wanted to do something fun with you."

She had begged and pleaded with me to come to this party, eventually blackmailing me by telling me that if I didn't go to this one, she would hound me for the rest of the year to go to every party there was. But if I agreed to go to this one, and try to have a good time, she'd leave me alone about any more parties. I had finally caved and gave into her big, puppy dog eyes.

The truth was, once I got the idea in my head to attend this party, I got to thinking about that dreaded v-card I was carrying around. Once school started on Monday, my extra time would be nonexistent. So, maybe, I could meet someone tonight, and if I found him decent enough, I could get the deed done and over with. If I didn't do it now, then it'd be another year before I graduated, and then, another year or so until I was established in my career.

I mean, a twenty-two-year-old virgin was understandable, but a twenty-five-year-old virgin was just pathetic.

"I know, Vi. And I'm sorry if I'm already being a downer, I just-"

She grabbed onto my arm. "Don't be sorry, Shane. Just try to have fun." Her face lit up. "Let's go get something to drink. It won't hurt to loosen up a bit," she suggested.

I didn't drink.

Ever.

I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to start dropping drinks back, but then, I thought back to my idea to rid myself of my chastity and figured I probably should be at least buzzed to go through with my ridiculous plan. "Sure, why not?" She squealed and wrapped her hand around my arm, dragging me along in search of the alcohol.

We found ground zero, and the place was starting to be everything I thought a college party would be. But the music and laughter were infectious. I found myself having a good time, that was, until we ran into some of Viola's friends. It could have just been paranoia, but I was quite sure they weren't happy I was in attendance.

"Hey, ladies," Viola said, approaching them. "You guys know, Shane, right?" I smile at the group of those who belonged, but they met my smile with haughty stares and looks of incredulousness.

The blonde finally spoke up. "Uh, yeah. You're one of the scholarship students, right?"

I looked her right in her bright, blue eyes and answered, "Yes. I am."

She looked me up and down before making the introductions. "Well, I'm Amber and that's Camille and Beverly."

While Amber was the epitome of a lovely blonde with blue eyes and a slim figure, Camille was the picture perfect of an exotic Asian with distinct features that made her absolutely stunning. And Beverly was your typical fiery redhead, all tall and statuesque.

And have them stand next to Viola in all her gorgeous African American beauty...well, it wasn't hard to see which kid didn't belong in this playground.

I wanted to slink away to the safety of my small apartment and bury my face and mind in a book. I wanted to be far, far away from this place and these girls.

Well, except for Vivi.

But before Viola could say anything about Amber's direct mention of my scholarship, or before I could make my excuses to escape, Beverly started word vomiting. "Oh, my god! Did you guys hear that all four Buchanan brothers are supposed to be here tonight?"

Camille's eyes widened and joined in the fandoming of the Buchanans. "I know, and can you imagine? I've heard the twins are just as hot as Aiden and Mason," she gushed.

Amber huffed as she added her two cents. "Oh, please. Everyone knows Mason Buchanan is the one at the top of the food chain," she countered. "I mean, Aiden is drop dead gorgeous and all, and I'm sure the younger brothers are striking as well, but they can't compare to Mason." She looked down her nose at all of us. "No one on this entire campus can compare to Mason Buchanan."

Camille placed a hand on her dainty hip. "Well, no girl has gotten Mason in their bed since he started here, so why not go for one of the twins?"

"Or both," Beverly salaciously added.

"Are you girls serious?" Viola asked, sounding just as surprised as I actually was.

Camille's sneer had completely transformed her face. "What?"

Viola's eyes looked like they were going to bug out of her head. "Those boys are only eighteen-years-old, Camille," she pointed out.

"And the law says that's plenty old enough to fuck, Viola," she snapped back, shocking the shit out of me. I mean, yeah, they were legal, but they were barely out of high school, for Christ's sake.

"Well, it isn't going to matter if they're anything like their older brothers. I imagine Mason and Aiden will take them to wherever it is they're getting their pussy," Beverly said, upset by the possibility.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Maybe they have girlfriends who go to other schools," I suggested. "Maybe that's why-"

Amber rolled her eyes at me. "Even if that were the case, do you think I care if Mason Buchanan has a girlfriend or not?"

I couldn't do this. I couldn't spend one more second in the company of these horrible people. I turned to Viola and asked, "Do you think there's tequila here?"

Her brows shot up and her eyes rounded. "I'm sure there is," she answered.

"I need tequila, Vi. Please, take me to the tequila." She nodded and hooked her arm in mine, and off we went.
Chapter 6

_Mason~_

The cab dropped us off on the corner at the end of the block where the party was being thrown. We never drank and drove, no matter what the occasion was.

Ever.

We also didn't accept rides with other people who were drinking or accept rides from females. I knew the choices we made seemed extreme, but we were raised with a deep belief in choices and the circumstances regarding those choices.

My father wasn't a big believer is blaming the other guy.

I didn't look at the twins when I said, "Okay, you guys know the rules right?"

The assholes chorused their answer together. "No drinks unless we snap the cap off ourselves. No drugs of any kind. No touching, kissing, or fucking on our first night out."

"And no fighting unless you're defending yourselves," Aiden added.

Gabriel huffed. "Well, hell, if we can't fuck or fight, why are we going to this goddamn party in the first place?" I almost laughed. I knew they were more disappointed in not fighting.

I heard Michael clap him on the back as we walked closer to the house. "We're going to make new friends."

Gabe laughed. "I don't need any friends. I got you fuckers." I shook my head at the sounds of their obvious rough housing behind me.

Aiden fell in step next to me. "You okay?"

He knew I was feeling off since our visit to the bookstore. It was the first time I've ever sort of spoken to her. It was the first time I pushed my presence up in her face. I didn't blame him for wondering if I was losing it. "I'm fine, Aid," I said, trying to reassure him.

Gabriel's voice reached me from behind. "Just say the word, Mase, and we'll all go tell Dad to eat a dick."

I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped from my chest. Like I said, Gabriel's loyalty ran deep. "I'm fine, Gabe." As long as Shane stayed to herself and didn't take an interest in anyone, I could wait out the remaining months until graduation. Now, if she took an interest in someone...well, then, all bets were off.

I didn't even have one foot on the grass of the front yard and people were already calling out our names, blowing out whistles and all that shit.

"Hey, Mason!"

"Yo, dude, it's the Buchanans!"

"Aiden, bro!"

"Oh, my god, they're here!"

I almost turned around and just headed back home. Gabe was right. If we weren't here to fuck or fight, why in the hell did we even bother?

I looked back at the twins right before we got to the front door of the house. They both looked at me and gave me a slight nod. Once we walked through this doorway, we didn't need to be in each other's pockets, but we'd all be connected to each other in some way, shape, or form. At least one of us will always know where any of the other one of us was.

I took my bond with my brothers seriously.

We entered the house, and it was everything you'd expect a kick-off-the-new-semester party would be. Music was blaring, people were drinking, guys were peacocking, and girls were competing for attention.

I didn't judge the fun. It just never grabbed my attention like it did most people. I wasn't sure if I should curse my father for my sense of responsibility or thank him.

Within a matter of minutes, a bevy of blondes, brunettes, and redheads surrounded us. Black, White, Asian, Indian...you name it. And believe it or not, they were battling with football players, student body members, and just a crowd of people for our attentions.

It was very sobering.

And idiotic.

We weren't celebrities, or famous athletes, or congressmen. We were just four students at an elite private college, for fuck's sake.

I glanced back at the twins and they were being swarmed by females on every side. It was like watching the nature channel, all hunter and the hunted like.

My laugh turned into a cringe when I heard one girl ask Gabe-in what had to be the most annoying voice in the world, "So, which one of you is Mike and which one is Gabe?"

The ice in Gabriel's voice made me wince. "Neither of us are," he answered rudely.

The girl looked confused as she said, "But I thought-"

"My name is Gabriel, not Gabe. And my brother's name is Michael, not Mike," he explained. "Unless you're related to us, if you want us to answer you, then you had better call us by our names and not some familiar nickname you think you may know us by." The table went silent, and the girl turned an ugly shade of red. But, hey, Gabriel was right. Nothing was more annoying than someone who thought they knew you just because they've heard of you.

Aiden broke the uncomfortable silence. "So, where's the beer station?"

A lacrosse player named Brad, I think, answered, "Oh, the hard liquor is in the kitchen, but all the kegs and ice chests are in the backyard."

"I'm going to go grab a beer," I told them as I turned to head towards the backyard.

"Me, too," Aiden added.

The twins showed off identical dimpled-smiles as Michael said, "We're going to head over to the liquor section of tonight's festivities."

I smirked and shook my head. "Alright. Catch us out back once you get your fill."

Aiden and I bobbed and weaved our way straight through the living room, passing up all the handshakes and 'what's up's, until we reached the patio off the back of the house. I've partied at this house plenty of times, so I knew my way around. I knew there'd be a pool and that the odds were that there'd be naked chicks in it. I also knew there was a small change room that held the dirtiest of secrets within its walls.

We made our way to the kegs and ice chests and, as always, I plucked a capped beer out of one of the coolers. I never drank a beer that I didn't open personally. None of us did.

I had just handed off Aiden's beer to him when I felt the weight of some store-bought tits on the back of my left shoulder. I stepped back and turned around to see Amber, a fellow business and finance major student, smiling up at me. "Hey, Mason," she cooed.

I took in her look for the night, and even I had to admit that Amber Bell was the complete package. She had perfectly highlighted blonde hair that went with her cornflower, bright blue eyes. Her tits were fake, but whoever her surgeon was, he had done a fantastic job creating an hourglass figure for her. Her tits showcased the width of her hips and she was always put together.

Too bad for her, she did nothing for me.

"Hey, Amber," I greeted back.

She gave me-what I presumed-was her version of a sexy smile and said, "So, all four Buchanans at one party. No wonder it's a packed house."

"It makes me wonder," I said honestly.

"Oh, come on, Mason." She put her hands on her hips. "Even if you weren't the heir to a multi-billion-dollar empire, you can't tell me you don't own a mirror."

I knew my brothers and I didn't fall short of good looks, but I learned early on that anyone willing to suck my dick because I had money or good looks was, more often than not, willing to suck someone else's dick if they were just as good-looking or had just as much money.

I didn't need my dick sucked that badly.

"Thanks for the compliment, Amber. I'll be sure to pass it along to my brothers," I told her, wondering if she could register the sarcasm in my voice.

Evidently not, because she stepped towards me again and continued, "You know, Mason, we've known each other for three years and we've yet to spend time together. Alone."

"In case you haven't noticed, Amber, I don't spend time alone with anyone," I pointed out to her.

"But I'm not just anyone, Mason," she replied, confident in herself and of her worth. Good for her.

"Oh, really? And what makes you so special, Amber?" This I had to hear.

She leaned in closer, and I let her. "Once I get in your bed, Mason Buchanan, there's not anything I won't let you do to me," she promised.

I stepped back to make sure I could look her in the eye when I said, "That doesn't make you special, Amber. That makes you desperate." Her face turned red, and it surprised me she didn't slap the shit out of me. Especially, when I added, "I'm not interested in desperate," then walked away.
Chapter 7

_Shane~_

Two tequila shots and two beers later, I was feeling absolutely no pain.

I mean...No. Pain.

Why have I never partaken in this bubbly of goodness before? I have no idea.

As I stood on the fringes of the group of people Viola was talking with, I took notice of how my body felt absolutely no stress. There was no tightness in my shoulders, no weight across my shoulder blades, no tension behind my eyes.

Nothing.

Nothing, but languid muscles and relaxed body parts.

It felt amazing.

I think this is the first time I've ever just felt the life around me and my mind wasn't constantly spinning with school, work, or my future.

No wonder people turned to alcohol and drugs to make their problems go away. If two beers and a shot or two of tequila was making me feel like this, I couldn't imagine what drugs did for a lost soul.

Not that I had any plans to turn to alcohol or drugs to relieve my future stress, I was just saying I get it. I get the allure.

Viola was in an animated conversation with her boyfriend-not-boyfriend, Micah, and while I liked Micah, we never really chatted. However, he was kind enough to bring me a beer when he brought another one for Viola. And the beers hadn't been opened. He scored major points with that one.

I was two drinks into my new beer when I noticed the surrounding crowd fall into a quiet lull. I scanned their faces to see what had captivated them, but before I could gander at a guess, I felt a heavy, masculine arm fall around my shoulders. It was paired with another masculine body flanking my other side and I immediately knew the reason for the sudden hush.

The. Goddamn. Buchanan. Twins.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here, Pretty Girl," said...well, I'm not sure which one he was, but when I turned my face to look at him, I noticed a very faint scar slashed right underneath his right eye. I made a point to study the mark, so I could tell the difference between them in the future.

I cleared my throat, very aware that everyone was witnessing the exchange in rapt fascination. "I came with my friend, Viola," I said, nodding in her direction.

Twin #...well, I still didn't know...looked over at her and gave her a quick jerk of his chin in acknowledgment. "You having a good time?" he asked me.

I had to clear my throat again. This kid was making me antsy and super killing my buzz. "I am." I glanced over at the other identical face of perfection paying attention to me and asked, "Are you guys?"

The non-hugging twin said, "Sure are. It's our first college party, you know." He winked at me and my alcohol addled brain was trying not to swoon.

These kids were military-grade lethal.

The arm around my shoulders gave me a quick squeeze. "You going to introduce us to your friends, Pretty Girl?"

I gestured towards Viola and Micah. "That's my best friend...well, my only friend, Viola Banks and her boyfriend, Micah Bentley." I scanned the other faces of the group and I didn't know not a one. "I don't know who everyone else is," I mumbled.

"Awe, now," Flanked Twin said, "she's not your only friend, Shane. You've got us now."

I gave Viola a helpless look, but I almost snorted out a laugh at her expression. I knew I would have to do some serious explaining later. "Viola, Micah, I'd like you to meet..." I swiveled my head back and forth between them. I didn't know who was which. I just knew their names like everyone else on campus did. One was named Michael, and one was named Gabriel.

Arm Twin leaned into my ear and whispered, "Mason's favorite color is blue. Aiden's favorite color is orange. My favorite color is green. And Gabe's favorite color is black."

I leaned my head back to look at him and said the first thing that popped into my head. "Who in the hell has the favorite color orange?"

Gabriel (his shirt was black) threw his arms up, causing my head to turn, and he looked at me incredulously. "Right? I mean, who in the fuck likes orange as their favorite color?"

It was a legit question.

I blinked at him and finally snapped out my musings. "Viola, Micah, I'd like you to meet Michael and Gabriel Buchanan," I said, gesturing to each of the guys as I said their names.

Micah head nodded at them, while Viola was more vocal, "Nice to meet you both." I could tell the rest of the group was put out that I hadn't included them, but they weren't too worried about including me before the twins had arrived, so screw them.

Wow...alcohol sure had a way of making a person grow a pair of balls.

"Well, we're off to mingle and make things right with the world," Michael said, finally removing his arm from my shoulder. "We'll be seeing you around, Shane." He winked at me before he and Gabriel walked away.

I downed the beer in my hand, so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone, and as soon as I heard the beat of Britney Spears' Circus blare through the speakers, I grabbed Viola by the arm. "We're going to go dance, Micah. Is that okay?"

He smiled. "Sure. Just as long as she's dancing alone," he stipulated, and I didn't blame him. Viola was too stunning for words. However, Micah wasn't a slouch in the looks department, either. He was touching an inch, or so, over six-foot and his body was lean and cut to perfection. He had kind brown eyes, and he looked every bit the big, strong, confident Black male.

He and Viola made a striking couple, and he was crazy about her. I couldn't figure out what made her hesitant about making it official with him.

I dragged Viola to the makeshift dance floor, but before I could let the music push my alcohol relaxed body into motion, she hissed, "What the hell, Shane? How in the hell do you know the Buchanan Twins?"

My expression dropped. "I'm sorry, Vi. I promise to tell you everything later, but can we just dance and forget all about the Buchanans for right now?" I implored her. "Please. Pretty please?"

Vivi studied me for a few seconds before conceding. "Fine. But you had better come clean tomorrow, young lady," she scolded.

"I promise," I agreed. She finally smiled and started moving to the music.

We danced for a couple of songs before Micah couldn't take Viola's tantalizing moves any longer. I let my body sway to the music as I watched him come up behind her and take his rightful place next to her. His hands fell onto her hips and his body moved in time with hers like they'd been dancing together all their lives. God, they looked so perfect together.

I suddenly felt envious of her connection to him.

I didn't know what it felt to be so in sync with another human being that actions and words weren't necessary. I imagine that level of comfort must feel so soothing.

The fast beat of Rhianna's Rude Boy segued into the slower, more sensual sounds of Katy Perry's E.T. and I knew I needed to get off the dance floor. I had no problem swaying my body to the sounds of lively, upbeat music, but I was out of my element when it came to slow dancing or anything sexual.

I was about to make my great escape when, suddenly, I felt a pair of masculine hands encase my hips. My entire body jerked, and I swung around to see who on earth would ever approach me to dance. I mean, except for Satan's Evil Twins, Viola and Micah were the only people at this entire party who even knew my name.

Who in the hell would want to dance with me?

I had to drop my head back to get a look at the guy, since he was dwarfing my five-two, and when my gaze finally landed on his, I was staring into a pair of bright, blue eyes. Once my eyes processed the rest of his face, I realized the hands on my hips belonged to Branson Morgan, and my steps faltered.

Why in the hell would Branson Morgan want to dance with me?

Holy Bejesus Jesus!

He smirked down at me, never removing his hands from my hips. "Looking good out there, Shane. Do you mind if I join you?" he asked.

Shane? He knew my name.

Branson Morgan knew my effin' name!

My alcohol-fueled brain slipped into action. "Why? I...I mean...why would you want to dance with me?" I asked befuddled. Branson was good-looking guy. He could pick any girl to dance with at this party. Why me?

This time his lips curled into a full-blown smile. "Because you're hot as hell, and this is the first party I've ever seen you at." I blinked up at him as he spoke. "You ignore everyone during class, and so, if this is my one chance to get you slipping and sliding under me, then I'm going to take it," he answered boldly.

Slipping and sliding under him??

Oh, damn.
Chapter 8

_Mason~_

Three beers down and Aiden and I were about as relaxed as we would allow ourselves to be at these sorts of parties. With social media recording and immortalizing everything a person did on the internet for life, we tried to be as careful as possible. None of us kids wanted to be on the receiving end of a phone call from our dad about something stupid that may have been captured on film, ending up all over the place.

I knew now wasn't the time or place, but the fanfare had become super ridiculous. I turned to Aiden and said, "You know next year, it's going to be you in charge of the twins, right?"

He smirked at me. "I'm very aware," he acknowledged. "Don't worry, Mase. They'll be fine. We'll be fine." I let out a deep breath. I knew he was right. "The twins aren't like other eighteen-year-olds, Mason. Hell, none of us are like other people our age." He clapped me on my back. "By the time you graduate, college will have lost its shine for the guys, and it'll be like high school all over again."

I gave him a pointed look. "I know. But some of these bitches are professionals, Aid. I mean, Dad's a world-class prick and everything, but he's not wrong about some of these women," I reminded him.

"True," he agreed. "But the twins have been dodging gold-digging bitches since they were fourteen-years-old, Mase. They know the score."

"It's those goddamn dimples," I chuckled.

Aiden laughed. "Yeah, it must be. Because it can't be their sunny personalities."

Gabriel and Michael didn't mean to be, but they were a deceitful duo. People took one look at them and made up all kinds of assumptions based on their looks and the way they played off one another. But they were almost always wrong about the twins. People liked to believe that, since they were the youngest, that they were spoiled and flighty.

They weren't.

Gabe and Mike were sharp, assessing, and analytical. And just when someone thought they were getting over on them, the twins would show their teeth, and the bite was often swift and brutal.

Especially, Michael's bite.

I figured I must just still be annoyed by my earlier encounter with Amber. Sometimes it felt like we were being attacked from all sides. If it wasn't our mother's neglect, it was our father's abuse. If it wasn't random guys trying to be our best friends, it was random bitches trying to trap us. If it wasn't someone kissing our asses for future favors, it was someone hating us without even knowing us. Someone always wanted something from us and the constant need to keep my guard up for myself and my brothers became exhausting at times.

I needed my degree, so I could ignore my mother and, finally, tell my father to go get fucked.

We each had a trust fund set up by our grandfather that ran into the millions, but we couldn't access it until we each reached the age of thirty. The theory behind the wait was that, by the time we hit thirty, we should be old enough to handle that kind of money responsibly, and not go off the rails and begin snorting our weight in cocaine or lose all sense of morality with hookers and whores.

And I suppose I could have floated around until I had access to my money but, for better or worse, my father didn't raise lazy, entitled assholes. We weren't scared of hard work and we weren't scared of carving out our own paths if we had to. We were sincere in our want to keep the tradition of Buchanan Industries alive and fruitful for the generations after us. But not one of us would put a bullet through our brain if we couldn't be a part of the Buchanan Industries' legacy.

My father had sought to raise each of us to be aggressive and ruthless. The poor fuck just didn't realize how aggressive and ruthless we'd turn out to be.

"Need another beer?" Aiden asked.

"Yeah. But the way I'm feeling, I might venture into the house later for some shots," I answered. "I'm feeling...off."

Aiden cocked his head at me, trying to read me, but I doubt he could get anything. Not that I was trying to mask anything from him, I just didn't know what was bothering me. I could just feel something in the air that carried a hint of...uncertainty.

"Okay. I'll be right back," he said looking concerned.

He returned a couple of minutes later with beers in hand and some redhead by his side. "I said I just wanted a beer," I droned sarcastically.

"Mason meet Jessica," he said, ignoring my sarcasm.

I took my beer from Aiden's outstretched hand and nodded towards Jessica. "Hi, Jessica," I greeted as cordially as I could manage.

Aiden smirked. "Jessica wanted to meet you," he explained.

"Well, okay. It's nice to meet you, Jessica."

"Hi, Mason," she tittered. "It's just...you're the only Buchanan brother I haven't met yet."

I could feel a headache forming behind my eyes. "Well, now you have," I stated the obvious.

She fidgeted when she realized I wasn't going to say anything more. She cleared her throat and glanced at Aiden, but when he didn't try to fill the silence, she finally caved. "Uh, okay. Well, it was nice to meet you. I think I'll just..." she trailed off, then turned, and headed back to the house.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered, rolling my eyes. Aiden just laughed.

The fucker.

I was just starting on my fourth beer when I caught sight of the twins sauntering over towards me and Aiden. I finished my first swallow before asking them how it was going so far.

Michael's face looked too serious for my liking as Gabe answered, "Not bad. Great, even. Except for one thing."

My brows shot up. "Oh, really? And what's that?"

"We just ran into your girl, Mase," Michael answered.

My entire body locked up.

My girl?

Shane was here?

Shane was fucking here???

"Are you sure it was her?" I asked, trying to calm my racing heart. "I mean, maybe, you saw some-"

Gabriel was already shaking his head at me. "We're not mistaken, Mason. We walked up to her and talked to her for a bit. It's definitely Shane, bro."

"No fucking way," I said, still in denial.

"She's here, man," Gabe insisted.

What in the ever lovin' fuck was Shane Slaughter doing here? She wasn't a partier. I have never seen her at a college party or have ever heard of her attending a college party.

So. Why. In. The. Fuck. Was. She. Here?

"Was she alone?" That was the first thing I needed to ask. If she wasn't, shit would not end well tonight.

"She was talking with her friend and her boyfriend wh-"

My brows drew down. "Whose boyfriend?" I asked, interrupting Michael, fists already balled up.

"Her friend, Viola's, boyfriend," he clarified.

I could feel my heart trying to beat out of my chest, but the pit of my stomach relaxed once Mike explained that the guy in question was Viola's boyfriend and not Shane's. "What the hell is she doing here?" I asked, but it was more of a confused mumble to myself.

When Gabe's voice reached me, I was ready to tear the party apart. "I don't know, Mase. But she's been drinking, and she's dressed to fucking kill." My head jerked in his direction and the regret on his face told me he was not exaggerating about the way she was dressed. Shane's entire wardrobe comprised of jeans and t-shirts, so what the fuck was she wearing?

I didn't say a word as I made my way up the backyard and through the patio doors. I knew my brothers were right behind me as I stormed through the twists and turns of the house. And I don't know what look I had on my face, but people were clearing the way for me as soon as they noticed me coming their way.

I scanned the rooms and hallways and searched random faces, and it wasn't until I reached the den, that had been made up to be the dance area, that I spotted Shane. She was dressed in a snug, white tank top and blue skirt.

And she wasn't alone.

She stood standing next to motherfucking Branson Morgan, and the motherfucker had his hands on her.

He had his goddamn hands on her.

Red spots danced on the edges of my vision and the blood in my veins bubbled to a white, hot boil. I'd never felt a rage like this before, in all my life. And that's saying something considering what a ruthless bastard my father was.

I've known hatred and I've met rage, but that was nothing compared to what I was feeling in this moment seeing some guy with his hands on my woman.

I was going to fucking kill Branson Morgan.
Chapter 9

_Shane~_

My mind was still a little shell-shocked over what Branson had said, but before I could form a response to his words, I felt a hand latch onto my arm and yank me backwards.

But if I thought I had felt shell-shocked before, that was nothing compared to what I was feeling when I looked up to see that it was Mason Buchanan with his hand wrapped around my arm.

Mason fucking Buchanan.

First it was Michael and Gabriel acting weirdly, now Mason?

Mason shoved me behind him, putting me in a pocket of surrounding Buchanan men; Aiden behind me and the twins on either side of me.

What in the hell?

Mason was taller than Branson, so he was peering down at him when he asked, "Do you want to tell me why in the fuck you had your hands on my girl, Morgan?"

Holy. Crap.

His girl??

His. Girl????

Apparently, Branson wasn't as smart as his education suggested, because he puffed his chest up and snapped back, "Since when is Shane Slaughter your girl, Buchanan?"

Mason growled-and full disclosure here-it made my lady parts tingle a little. "Since always, you asshole, so stay the fuck away from her."

Since always?

What the in the name of all that's holy?

How much did I drink?

Then suddenly, I wondered if someone had spiked one of my beers, because...come oooonnnnnn...

I leaned my head to the side to get a peek and Michael graciously allowed me a little room. I could see a couple of guys line in behind Branson, and I supposed those were his friends.

This was not good.

No bueno.

No bueno, at all.

"If that's true, then why haven't I ever seen you with her? Don't get all fucked in the head because she obviously turned you down but had no problem letting me put my hands on her," he smirked, and that's when I realized he was basking in the idea that he upped one over on Mason.

I didn't understand what was going on, but I wasn't going to stay silent and let Branson throw out skewed versions of the truth. I stepped to the side, so they could hear me. And while all three Buchanan brothers stepped with me, I could still stand next to Mason. "It's not true," I clarified for anyone who could hear the exchange between the two men.

Branson looked at me. "What's not true?"

I didn't dare look at Mason as I addressed Branson. "I was just dancing, and you came up behind me and put your hands on my hips. That's all that happened. I turned around and asked you what you were doing, and you just kept your hands where they were." I cleared my throat and spoke louder. "You're trying to make it sound like something it wasn't."

Branson's lip curled in disgust. "Oh, so you get caught with me, and now, you're trying to save face in front of your boyfriend," he accused.

"Mason's not-"

"I'd think carefully about what you're planning on saying or doing next, Morgan," Mason snapped out, interrupting me. "Because if it's not an apology, or if it's not to get the fuck away from Shane, I will kick your ass until your buddies, over there, have to carry you home."

My eyes widened as Branson gave Mason an evil smile and said, "Bring it, Buchanan. All these other people might think the sun shines out of your ass, but I know you're nothing but a bitch. And once Shane realizes it, too, I will be balls deep in her pu-" I felt two hands snatch me by my upper arms, and haul me back, right before Mason's right fist pulled back and landed with a sickening crack against Branson's face.

That was all it took.

Next thing I knew, Mason and Branson were throwing punches at each other as the surrounding crowd screamed and chanted, egging them on.

Why wasn't anyone stopping this?

I felt someone put a light nylon jacket over my shoulders and I looked up to find that Aiden was draping me in his jacket. "Aiden?" His focus was entirely on his brother, ignoring me completely. When I saw him wince, it made me turn my attention back to the fight.

Back to Mason.

Sweet Baby Jesus.

Mason was winning, and it looked like he would not stop until Branson was dead.

I whirled around towards the three non-fighting Buchanans. "Aiden, you have to stop him," I begged. "Please! Aiden!" I could feel adrenaline coursing through my blood. "Michael! Gabriel! Please!" My hands tangled themselves in Aiden's t-shirt. "Please, Aiden. Please," I kept begging. I didn't know a thing about Mason, and Branson was turning out to be a jerk, but I didn't want to see either man hurt. And I definitely didn't want to see anyone get hurt over me.

He finally looked down at me and I knew he could see the sheen glistening in my eyes. Aiden searched my eyes for a few more seconds before pushing me behind him. He rushed forward, and the twins joined him in pulling Mason off Branson.

"Mason, that's enough!" Aiden barked.

It took all three brothers to restrain Mason, and once they did, Branson took that as a chance to charge him and get in a punch to his stomach in. But as soon as it landed, Branson's friends grabbed him and pulled him back. At least they knew enough to know that going up against Mason was a bad idea.

Branson wasn't backing down, though. "Fuck you, Mason!" Branson's nose was bleeding and blood was dripping from his mouth. His face was going to look awful in the morning.

Mason had a little bit of blood on the corner of his lip, but other than that, he didn't look bad. It was clear, though, that his brothers had better not let him go. "You can motherfuck me all you want, Morgan. Because I don't give a fuck about you. But you had better stay away from Shane, you piece of shit!"

Branson was either, very drunk, very high, or very stupid, because he shouted back, "Make no mistake, Buchanan. I will be balls-deep in your bitch, eventually."

The crowd gasped.

Viola began yelling.

Mason got loose.

And I did the unthinkable.

I jumped in between two raging, angry males.

I planted my hands on Mason's heaving chest and hoped my voice would reach him. "Mason, please..." He looked down at me and his silver orbs were swirling with hate, rage, and heat. The heat surprised me. There was so much goddamn heat in his eyes, and I didn't understand why or how there could be any when he was in the midst of a freakin' fight.

I mean, I've heard that lust and violence often went hand-in-hand, but I couldn't fathom Mason feeling any lust for me.

The music was still playing in the background and Viola was verbally assaulting Branson while I could hear Micah telling her to calm down. So, I was the only one who could hear Mason say, "You will never go near him again, Shane."

My Independent-Woman wanted to tell him to go to hell, but Sensible-Shane knew that if I didn't agree, Mason might very well murder Branson by the end of the night. "I promise, Mason. I promise I'll stay away from him," I assured him, feeling like I was sealing my fate. I also noticed Mason wasn't addressing how my hands were running up and down his chest in a calming fashion.

After a few seconds of searching my eyes, Mason must have felt I was telling him the truth, because he wrapped his arms around my body, pulling me to him, as he looked over at Branson and said, "This isn't over, Morgan. But I promise you this, if I find out you go anywhere near Shane, I will fucking kill you."

I could hear Branson spit on the floor before saying, "Whatever, Buchanan. There's plenty of other pussy without all this drama."

If so, then why provoke Mason?

I kept my face hidden in Mason's chest, but I could hear the rustle and movements of Branson's friends dragging him away. I suddenly felt heat surrounding me on all sides and I knew Aiden and the twins had rounded around me.

What the hell was going on?

It wasn't until I heard Viola's voice that I pulled back from Mason. He let me step away from him, but he made sure he was right behind me. "Are you okay, Shane?"

Micah was standing behind her, much like Mason was standing behind me, and I realized how much of a protective stance it was. "I'm fine. I'm okay. Are...are you okay?"

She huffed. "I'm perfectly okay. But I can't say the same for Branson Morgan if I ever see hi-"

"Stow it away, woman," Micah commanded. I looked up at him and he was looking directly at Mason as he said, "Buchanan has it under control, I'm sure."

I twisted around and looked up at Mason. He still looked spitting mad, but I could tell he'd calmed down. When my eyes darted around at the scene all around me, I notice Aiden, Michael, and Gabriel still flanking Mason's space and the crowd waiting for what was coming next.

I finally threw my arms up in the air and asked anyone...everyone, "Can someone, anyone, tell me what the hell is going on?"
Chapter 10

_Mason~_

I almost laughed at Shane's outburst, but I was fairly certain she'd get violent if I did. It's not like I could blame the girl. I'd be confused, too, if I were her.

So, instead, I grabbed her by her hand and dragged her behind me, in search of an empty room upstairs. Having partied here before, I knew there were a shitload of spare bedrooms on the second floor.

She didn't object as I dragged her behind me until I came upon an open, empty room. Once we were inside the room, I locked the door behind me. The room was dark, except for some light coming in through the window from outside, but I could see her entire body freeze at the sound of the lock.

I didn't care, though.

It might not have been how I had planned it, but I finally had Shane alone, and I would not let her leave until we settled a few things between us. Especially, being dressed the way she was.

And I would never let her go once we did.

She stood in the middle of the room and wrapped her arms around her waist as she said, "You have some blood on the corner of your lip."

I lifted my hand and used my thumb to wipe the blood off. It wasn't much, but it still stung a bit. We were silent for a few seconds before I asked, "What are you doing here?"

Shane cocked her head to the side and her brows furrowed. "It's a party. I came to have a good time," she answered, like it was so obvious.

"Since when do you party?"

Her arms fell away from her waist and I could see her tiny hands ball up into fists at her side. "Since none of your business, Mason," she snapped, and I'd never wanted to kiss someone so badly in my life.

"That's where you're wrong, Slaughter. You are my business," I replied, finally letting the cat out of the bag. Everything about her was my business.

I stepped towards her until I was looming over her and her beautiful hazel eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "Since when am I your business?" she asked, throwing my words back at me.

I reached up and cupped her jaw, brushing my thumb back and forth over her chin. "Since the first day I ever laid eyes on you, Shane," I confessed, causing her to gasp. "You've always been my business. You've just never been stupid enough to push me before."

Outrage replaced shock. "Stupid enough to push you?" she screeched. "Going to a party is pushing you? Are you insane? Do you take medication or something? Is that it?"

I smirked. I couldn't help it. She was just so entertaining. "No, Shane. I'm not medicated," I reassured her.

"Then you should be, Mason. You really should be," she replied, a might bit hysterically.

"Shane-"

She stepped away from me, and then, paced the room. "I don't understand," she mumbled, and not necessarily to me. "I don't understand," she repeated. "I don't get it." She whirled around towards me. "You've got to give me something, Mason. You have got to tell me what is going on. Everyone and their mother will be asking me what's going on, and I'm not going to be able to tell them anything, because I don't fucking know!" Her voice was a high-pitched squeal by the time she was finished with her breakdown.

"What exactly are you confused about, Shane?"

She shot me a look so lethal, if looks could kill, my brothers would be sweeping up my ashes right now. "Why don't we start with why you've hated me all these years?" She cocked her hip out and placed her hands on her curves. "Or maybe, we can start with the visit to the bookstore. Or maybe, why you would start a fight with Branson Morgan just because he was talking to me."

I could feel my blood ice over at her mention of Morgan. "He wasn't just talking to you, Shane. That sonofabitch was trying to dance with you." I leaned down into her. "That motherfucker put his goddamn hands on you," I seethed.

Shane wasn't backing down, and I was momentarily surprised. She was always so quiet and demure. She didn't engage, and she went out of her way to keep her to herself. She didn't speak unless spoken to. She basically did her best to be invisible.

I never imagined she'd have a temper or balls big enough to stand up to me.

Guess I was wrong. Who knew?

Maybe Gabriel was right about the quiet ones and dead bodies.

"I have an idea," she spewed sarcastically, "why not start with how do you even know my name, Mason?"

Jesus Christ. Where to start?

All her questions were valid and deserved answers, but I didn't think she'd believe me and voicing it out loud would make me sound super unhinged.

But she deserved some kind of answer...

I shrugged a shoulder and went for the partial truth. "I've never hated you and I've always known your name," I answered lamely.

That look? The lethal slaying one? Yeah, she was looking at me like that again. "Really? That's it? That's what you're giving me?" she spat, pissed all to hell. "Are you fucking kidding me, right now?"

I crossed my arms over my chest. It was hard to stare someone down who was in the right, but I did my best. "Look. All you need to know is that I don't hate you and you belong to me now," I informed her, wondering how much more she could take before she bashed my head in with a lamp or something.

Her gasp nearly knocked me over. She took a step back, and God, I want to take a picture of her face. She looked absolutely bewildered. "Belong to you," she repeated.

"Yes, Shane. You. Belong. To. Me," I repeated back to her, pronouncing each word like she was a person who had trouble grasping the English language.

I honestly was expecting her to reach for the nearest object handy and bash me in the head with it, but instead, the strangest look came over her face. And I could swear on my left nut that her eyes were glossing over, but maybe it was just the light from outside dancing in the darkened room.

Then she really fucked me up when all the fight left her, and she dropped her ass down on the bed, and hung her head in her hands. I could hear her mumbling, but I couldn't make out any of the words.

God, I hope she wasn't losing her mind.

I could play this, one of two ways. I could ignore the mini, little meltdown she was having and just proclaim my words as law, or I could hear her out and make her think she had a choice. It was a no brainer, even if I really wanted to go with the proclaiming thing.

I walked over and dropped on my haunches in front of her. I placed my hands on each of her knees. "Talk to me, Shane," I said, questioning if I really want to hear what she was mumbling about. This was not how I planned our first interaction to be. It wasn't like I was her favorite person, right now.

Hell, I wasn't sure if I'd ever be her favorite person.

Period.

Shane lifted her head from her hands, and the look on her face was so sad, if I hadn't already been knelt down in front of her, her face might have brought me to my knees. "That's all I wanted, Mason," she whispered, like I knew what the hell she was talking about.

"What was all you wanted?"

She shook her head and her eyes fell back down towards her lap. "Viola convinced me to come to this party and I just..."

Okay. That answered my question of what was she was doing here. "You just what, Shane?"

Her sorrowful, hazel gaze returned to mine, and what she said next almost did knock me on my ass. "Once I accepted the idea of coming here and...and trying to get out of my comfort zone, I figured...I figured I'd have a few drinks, loosen up, dance, mingle, get rid of my virginity, and just have an all-around good time, you know?"

I had a low opinion of people, and because rarely did I feel any empathy or sympathy, it wasn't often that their behaviors or words shocked me.

But I was shocked.

I was shocked that Shane Slaughter had just confessed to being a virgin. How in the fuck could she look like she does and still be a goddamn virgin?

And then, ever so slowly, that shock gave away to fury and incredulousness as the realization of her words hit me. Shane came to this party planning on fucking some random guy.

She had planned to give her fucking virginity to any random motherfucker who made a play for her. And then, I really saw red when I thought about how Branson Morgan might have been that motherfucker.

I stood up, stepped back, and yelled loud enough to make her flinch, "You were going to do what?!"
Chapter 11

_Shane~_

Mason yelled so loudly, I could feel his words dancing across my skin.

I winced.

I hadn't meant for all that to come out, but I was still a mess over everything that had happened, I hadn't guarded my words as carefully as I usually did. But if I was being completely honest, it was Mason's words of belonging to him that had me really screwed up.

I've never really belonged to anyone before.

No one's ever really wanted me before.

Even Adam and Maggie hadn't really wanted me. They just wanted to help children in need, and foster children who were alone in the world. They hadn't necessarily wanted me.

And now, Mason Buchanan was standing before me, declaring that I belonged to him.

I knew his question was regarding what I had said about losing my virginity, but I played dumb. "I had planned to come here and have a good time," I repeated.

His silver gaze cut towards me. "You know, damn well, that isn't what I was referring to, Shane," he snapped, his voice sharp and rugged.

My gaze held his and I couldn't help but take this man in. He was just. So. Damn. Beautiful. Hell, all the Buchanans were. But there was something about Mason that held him at a level above his brothers.

His hair was all black thickness and style. His grey eyes were more silver than your normal grey and they were always so...observant. And his face was all masculine warrior, but that was probably because I've never seen him smile or laugh. I've seen him smirk, but that was a far cry from a genuine smile.

I decided to try to be all nonchalant like, so I shrugged a shoulder before saying, "I've never slept with a guy. So, I figured I could knock that off my bucket list tonight before school started and all my time would be focused on school and work."

The sound of his voice would have sent a lesser person screaming out of the room but growing up in foster care had strengthened me more than most. "Are you seriously sitting there, telling me you were just going to pick up some random asshole, and ask him to rid you of your virginity?"

I cocked a brow. He had no right to be angry. "Of course not," I bit out. "I was hoping to mingle first, and if a guy decided to talk to me, or whatever, and suggest we...you know, take it further, I would ha-"

"Stop," he barked out. "Just stop before I lose my fucking mind, Shane."

You know what?

To hell with this shit.

To. Hell. With. This. Shit.

I stood up, planted my hands on my hips, and I told Mason Buchanan exactly what I thought of him and this entire situation. "You know what, Mason Buchanan? You can kiss my ass." He looked taken aback, but he didn't interrupt me as I let loose on him. "You haven't uttered one single, solitary word to me in three years and, suddenly, you decide you have the right to stand before me and have an opinion on who I sleep with! Well, I have news for you, the rest of the school might quake and quiver in your presence, and hail you as an all might god. But, to me, you're just some jerk who took pleasure in throwing me dirty looks and making me feel insignificant when I never did a thing to you!" I stepped into his space, feeling braver than I normally would, but I'd had enough of Mason Buchanan. "I don't care what your last name is, how much money you have, or how good-looking you might be. I value respect and decency over all those things. So, you can take your dictations, your declarations, and your half-ass explanations and shove them up your ass!"

I was so proud of my bravery, I took off towards the door on a mission to find someone guy to go through with my plan. His voice reached me but didn't stop me. "Where do you think you're going?"

I had one hand on the doorknob as I turned around to face him. "I'm going to go do what I set out to do, Mason. I'm going to find me a kind, sweet guy and take him home." The door had just cracked open when a big, masculine hand came up from behind and slammed it shut. The force of it made the wall shake and stole the breath from my lungs.

It's crazy how bravery can whither into a quick death when someone crazier makes an appearance.

Mason planted his other hand on the other side of the door, and I suddenly found myself caged in between Mason's arms, and his body was completely towering over me, completely covering my back.

My body felt cold and hot all at the same time. I recognized the fear and the uneasiness of having him cage me in, but it was the heat of lust that was making me question my sanity.

I could feel the deep breaths in his chest on my shoulder and the whisper of his breath in my ear. My entire being shuttered when he spoke. "I'll kill any motherfucker who touches you, Shane." His lips touched on the column of my neck before they went back to my ear. "You're mine. You're mine, and mine alone, Shane. So, do you know what that means?"

I closed my eyes and all I could feel was the beating of my pulse between my thighs. My breathing sped up, and my body started to clench and unclench. I may have never kissed a guy before, but I wasn't so naïve that I didn't know what this was.

This was lust, pure and simple.

My voice was a weakened version of my bravery earlier. "What?"

Mason pressed his body closer to mine, and even though we were fully clothed, the heat radiating from his body had my body yearning for more of his touch. "It means that virginity you're so eager to part with is mine." My lips parted and I couldn't contain the low gasp that escaped. "Like I said earlier, Shane. You belong to me. I own all of you. That means from that dark brown silk on the top of your head to the tips of your toes." My heart unexpectedly lurched at his words. He kept saying I belonged to him and that was making me wish for dangerous things.

It made me want to belong to him.

His lips went back to dancing across the skin of my neck and my body broke out in goose bumps. I'd never really experienced human affection before, and I never imagined a guy's lips on my neck would feel so good.

I had just closed my eyes to the sensations when he instructed, "Turn around, Shane." I swallowed and did my best to wrestle my emotions under control. I turned around in the cocoon that comprised of his arms and body, and when I looked up into his eyes, heat slithered throughout my body at the blatant need swirling in his eyes.

His eyes held me captive as he asked, "So, I know you've never had sex before, but just how virgin are you, Slaughter?"

The rose-colored hue that encompassed my entire body had to be a sure giveaway of how inexperienced I was. But I didn't want there to be any misunderstandings between us regarding my level of sexual interaction. I made sure my eyes were open and honest when I answered. "Wh...when Branson put his hands on my hips...uh, uhm...that was the first time a guy has ever touched me."

His face went from heated lust to white-hot fury. "I'm going to fucking kill him," he growled out.

"For Christ's sake, Mason, all he did was touch me," I tried to reason, before adding, "Over my clothing."

Mason opted for rage instead of reason, though. "All your firsts should have been mine," he barked.

I shook my head. "That doesn't make any sense, Mason."

"Now that I know you're a virgin, and you've never even been touched by a man, that means the first hands that touched your body should have been mine!" he bellowed in my face.

I could stop my eyes from widening in astonishment. I mean, who knew that Mason Buchanan was a nutcase? "You're not making any sense, Mason," I pointed out again. "You...we...you...oh, god, I'm so fucking confused..."

His chest was heaving, and his eyes were shooting fire. He was legit pissed off. "Then let me un-confuse you. You were always meant to be mine, Shane. But from the moment I kicked Morgan's ass, you became mine, officially. That means, you are my girlfriend and I'm your boyfriend. That means, I'm the first, last, and only guy who will ever touch you. Do you understand?" I could only stare at him and nod mutely. I didn't know what to say.

How in the hell did I go from wanting to lose my virginity to some nice, random guy to being Mason Buchanan's girlfriend?

He wasn't done with his demands and proclamations, though. "Only my lips will ever kiss your lips or brush your skin," he said, but this time his voice was low, soft, and rugged. "My hands will be the only hands to ever caress your body and hold you," he promised, right before he got really aggressive and demanding. "Only my tongue will lick and taste that sweet, untouched pussy of yours, baby." My breath caught and I could feel every inch of my skin prickle at his dirty words.

Holy. Hell.

"My fingers will be the only fingers that will ever sink inside that tight cunt." I had to close my eyes against the assault of his words. "Only I will ever know what your sweat tastes like. What your cum tastes like. What your kisses and your pussy tastes like. And make no mistake, Shane, my dick will be the only one you will ever see, touch, taste, or ride." He removed one of his hands from the door and cradled my jaw with it. "I can't wait to make you bleed all over my cock, baby."

Holy. Mary. Mother. Of. God.
Chapter 12

_Mason~_

I knew this was insanity at its finest, but I wanted nothing more in the world than to go back in time and keep Branson Morgan from ever touching Shane.

Once she said no man had ever touched her before Branson, I had irrationally wanted that to be mine, too. And that irrationality was making it imperative I fuck her tonight.

Branson's hands may have been the first to be on her body, but she was right. It had been over her clothes and it meant nothing. That was the only thing keeping me from killing the sonofabitch. But to make sure everything she had to give was mine, and mine alone, I was going to get her naked and underneath me tonight.

In hindsight, I guess it's a good thing she wasn't overly sentimental about her virginity. I mean, I'd wait for her if she had been, but I wouldn't have liked it.

And now, looking down at her, seeing how flustered she was over the filth that just left my mouth, it was all I could do not to take her right now. But even if she wasn't overly concerned about losing her virginity at a house party, in some random bedroom, it concerned me.

Our first time would be private and uninterrupted.

I leaned down and started dropping kisses along the delicate skin of her jaw. In between kisses, I said, "Tell me that's what you want, too, Shane. Tell me you want me to take you back to your apartment and fuck you all night long."

Her voice was shaky and heavy with desire. "I...ca...can't think when y...you're doing that," she stuttered.

I knew I could be arrogant at times, but I couldn't help the smirk that appeared. It made me feel like a warrior conqueror to hear her admit that. I trailed my lips down her neck and the shivers that took over her body were killing me. She wasn't trying to hide any of her reactions and that openness had my dick harder than it's ever been.

"Good," I said, smiling against her skin. "I don't want you to be able to think. I just want you to feel."

"Mason..." she whispered, sounding resigned to her situation.

"Say the words, Shane." I stopped kissing her and pulled back to look into her face. "Open your eyes, look at me, and tell me, baby"

Shane's hazel eyes popped open and the second they connected with mine, I knew I had her. I knew she was going to give herself to me and I knew I was going to keep her for-fucking-ever. "Wh...what you said...about me belonging to you..."

Those weren't the words I was expecting...but... "What about it?"

"What did you mean by that? What exactly does that mean?" she asked.

"I already told you," I pointed out.

"I...I know...but..."

I stared down at her and, suddenly, I could see how very important this was to her. I also knew my next words would determine how she'd end up feeling about me. About us.

In all my life, I'd never been more nervous than I was in this moment. All my father's beatings and beratings, my mother's neglect...none of it made me felt more anxious than I felt right now. I mean, my words would not change the outcome of our situation; Shane was mine, end of story. But I wanted her to want to be with me. Her wanting to be with me would cement her to me more than threats would.

I cupped her face in my hands and told her the truth. "It means you are mine to protect, please, cherish, and satisfy. It means anything and everything you do, from this moment forward, will not be done alone. It means I will never let anyone hurt you. It means I will always have your back and I'll never lie to you." Her eyes started leaking big, fat, heart-thudding tears, and it was almost my undoing. And even though I knew it was too soon for her, and it would make me seem completely unreasonable and impractical, those tears of hers demanded more than just some pretty words to get her into bed. They demanded the complete and utter truth. "It means no one will ever want you the way I do. And no one will ever love you as much as I do." Her eyes widened to an impossible size at my words, but I kept on. "It means I will kill any sonofabitch who tries to take you from me, Shane. It means I own you and you own me." I wasn't used to emotions, and this shit was wearing me out. "God, do you own me," I admitted.

It was a full two minutes before she spoke, and if you've ever timed two minutes doing nothing, you know that two minutes of waiting, of anticipation, felt like fucking forever. "Okay," she whispered, but then, in a much stronger voice, she said, "I'll be whatever you want me to be, Mason. I'll be whatever you need me to be. I'll give you every piece of me, but..." She took a deep breath but kept her gaze steady and sure when she continued speaking. "But the second I feel that being with you isn't making me a better version of myself...the second I feel like being with you is beginning to feel toxic, I'm walking. And you're going to let me."

Like hell I'd let her walk away from me, but I didn't say that. Instead I said, "Fair enough. But the second you start to feel that way, you have to talk to me about it and give me a chance to fix it. You can't just walk away from me over what might just be a misunderstanding, Shane."

She nodded. "Okay, I can do that," she agreed.

I looked into her eyes for a few seconds longer before finally moving things forward. "Let's get out of here," I said, right before I kissed her on her forehead, making my heart skip a beat. Being able to finally touch her was fucking with me. I was all ten million ways of confused.

Emotions fucking sucked.

"Okay," she agreed. I took a few steps back to give her room to move away from the door. I turned the knob, opening the door for her, and pressed my hand against the small of her back to usher her out of the room.

The party was still in full swing and going strong, despite the fight and gossip running wild, but none of it registered. Even all the eyes that were on us didn't pause my steps in any way. All I cared about was getting Shane home and doing what I've jacked off to for the past three fucking years.

We were walking down the stairs when Shane twisted her head back to address me. "I have to find Viola and let her know I'm leaving," she voiced over the music playing. I nodded to let her know I heard her. I didn't mind because, once we found Viola, I would have to find my brothers and let them know we were leaving.

Ignoring the lingering looks-some kind, come curious, and some mean-I scanned the living room and kitchen for signs of the only people at this entire party I gave two fucks about. I was searching the kitchen when Shane's voice rang out. "I see Viola," she sort of hollered, and took off toward her friend.

Fuck.

I chased after her, not wanting her out of my reach. As long as Morgan was here, and this party was crawling with catty, vicious bitches, I didn't want Shane anywhere away from me.

I was fast on her heels when she reached Viola, but I only caught the tail end of what she was saying. "...okay?"

I had to give it to Viola. The girl had balls. She eyed me like she didn't trust a single bone in my body. Keeping her gaze on me, she said, "Okay. Just be careful and I will be over in the morning to check on you, Shane."

Shane looked back and up at me and just tilted her head in a what-can-you-do fashion. But before I could comment, I felt a hand clap my back and a recognized a voice I would know even in death. "What say you, big brother?"

I turned my head towards Aiden. "We're leaving," I answered. "I'm going back to Shane's." Aiden smirked, but didn't comment. I watched as he pulled out his phone to text the twins, no doubt.

Shane's sweet voice pulled my eyes towards her. "Oh, Aiden," she smiled as she removed his windbreaker from her shoulders. "Here's your jacket. Thank you for...uhm...letting me borrow it?" She voiced it like a question when she realized she had no idea why Aiden had draped his jacket over her.

"He was covering you the fuck up, Shane," I informed her. "That tank top shows everything."

She turned from Aiden to me and arched a perfectly groomed brow. "It's a completely acceptable and appropriate article of clothing, Mason," she replied condescendingly.

"Not anymore, it is," I threw back at her. But before she could tear me a new one, Gabriel and Michael joined us from out of nowhere.

Michael threw his arm around Shane's shoulders and I had to grit my teeth at the site. "How you faring, Pretty Girl?"

"I'm fine," she answered softly.

"So, I hear we're bouncin'," Gabe asked.

I tugged Shane from Michael's embrace and wrapped her against my body. "Yep. I've had enough of this place."

All three of my brothers nodded in agreement just like I knew they would, and Aiden already had his phone out, using his Uber app, as we headed towards the front yard, bypassing the inside of the house.

We waited on the sidewalk for our ride and the wait was, almost, enough to drive me insane.
Chapter 13

_Shane~_

We waited the ride to my apartment out in complete silence. But that silence was so loud, it was deafening. It had been okay until the Uber had dropped off Mason's brothers and it had been just us two in the car. My heart had been pounding so hard, it was all I could hear.

And now, that I was opening the door to my apartment with Mason right behind me, I felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack.

I had never been overly nervous or concerned about losing my virginity, but then, I never imagined I would lose it to Mason freakin' Buchanan.

What in the hell was I thinking?

What the hell was I still thinking?

Even after everything he said, a part of me was terrified to think this was now my reality. Mason had made some serious declarations and the insecure little foster girl in me was petrified to believe him.

I mean, why would he want me? How could he possibly claim to love me when he knew nothing about me? He could have his pick of any female on the planet and he wanted a nobody foster kid?

It didn't make sense.

Since I lived in a tiny, one-bedroom apartment, you could see right into the opened door of the bathroom and bedroom. So, it didn't mean Mason was an evil genius when he took my hand and guided me directly into my room without me having to point it out to him.

As soon as we entered the bedroom, Mason sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me to stand in between his legs. He was tall enough that, even sitting down with me standing up, his face reached my chest.

He placed his hands on my hips, and when he looked up at me, I thought my knees were going to buckle. For three years, his face gave nothing away, save for what I thought was his contempt for me. But now...now his face was so full of emotions that I wasn't sure I was prepared to handle them all. Mason had no plans to make love to me if the look on his face was any sign.

No.

No. Mason was going to fuck me. And my virgin status made no difference.

The warmth that flooded my panties had me shocked at how much I was looking forward to it.

"Take everything off, until you're standing in front of me in just your bra and panties, Shane," he instructed, his voice dark and heavy.

I couldn't disguise the nervousness in my voice. "Mason..."

"Shane, I know you're anxious and I don't blame you," he interrupted, as his hands ran up and down my hips. "But I've waited over three years to have you, so get rid of any hope of this going nice, slow, and tender, because it's not." I gasped as he continued telling me his plans for me. "By the time the sun comes up, I will have touched and tasted you everywhere, baby. I will have kissed your lips, licked your skin, left my marks on you, sucked your tits, eaten your pussy and fucked you, balls-deep, as hard as you can take me."

I could feel heat crawling up from my neck to my face in embarrassment. How could he be so comfortable saying things like that when he hardly knew me? "Mason, you-"

He smirked. The bastard smirked at my embarrassment. "Shane, baby, you need to get over any shyness you have and just trust me. I promise you will love everything I do to you. In fact, you're going to be begging me to fuck you raw and dirty every chance we get after tonight."

I lifted a brow. "Cocky much?"

The edge of his lip lifted. "Confident. Now, strip, baby."

It took me all about five seconds before my shaky hands started pulling the tank top over my head. I could hear Mason let out a low hiss and it gave me the confidence to continue. I knew I wasn't much to look at, but Mason's reactions were making me feel positively beautiful and foolishly brave. I reached back and unzipped the back of my skirt, and Mason's hands fell away, so that the fabric could fall to my feet. Then I kicked off my sandals, so that I was standing before him in just my bra and panties like he had requested.

Mason's eyes scanned my body, and I almost covered myself with my arms and hands at his scrutiny. But then, he said, "You're the most perfect thing I've ever laid eyes on, Shane." And with no preamble, whatsoever, he placed a hand on the inside of my thigh and ran it upward until his fingers made contact with my soaking wet panties.

He rubbed me over my panties, and it was unlike anything I'd ever felt. I couldn't contain the moan that left my lips, "Oh, God, Mason..."

He kept my gaze prisoner as he said, "I can smell how wet you are for me, Shane." I closed my eyes, trying not to burst.

Oh, God, how embarrassing.

And then, right before I could die from humiliation from my lack of experience, Mason's finger slipped inside my panties and his touch was singeing my heated slickness.

My hands fell to his shoulders and all I could do was hold on for dear life as he expertly ran his finger back and forth through my folds, bringing on sensations I never knew could exist. I could feel my knees threaten to buckle and I didn't know what to do about it.

"Jesus Christ, your pussy smells so goddamn sweet, baby." I didn't know what to say to that, so I kept silent, relishing in the way he was making my body feel. But his next question snapped my eyes open to look at him. "Are you on birth control, Shane?"

"Wh...what?" Mason hadn't stopped playing with me when he spoke, so I was still a little foggy.

Mason's eyes were locked on mine as he went beyond rubbing me and finally slid a finger inside my body before saying, "I plan on giving you something I've never given anyone else. And I need to know if you're on birth control, so I know what I'm getting myself into."

I wasn't sure how I was even managing to hold a conversation with Mason fingering my pussy, but I tried my best. "What...what are you...what...oh, god...what are you going to give me?" I asked, finally getting the words out.

He added a second finger, and I thought I was going to combust. "My cum, Shane. I plan on covering you in it," he announced and the ache that consumed by body became painful. "I'm going to cum in your mouth, on your tits, on your ass, and deep in that pussy, baby. So, not that I give a fuck if you become pregnant or not, but I'd still like to know how this might play out."

He didn't care if I got pregnant or not?

Who the hell says stuff like that?

We were one year away from getting our degrees, from starting our lives. Our real, grownup lives. Hell yeah, he should care if I got pregnant, because I cared.

I cared.

A. Lot.

"I...I get...th...the shot every three months," I answered, hoping to end his crazy talk, but then, he did something that completely floored me. Mason removed his fingers and, never breaking eye contact, he put them in his mouth and licked them clean.

Oh, for the love of God.

I was every bit the virgin I was in that moment. I mean, hearing him say what he was going to do to me differed greatly from actually seeing it-experiencing it.

Sweet Baby Jesus, what was I doing??

"Remove your bra," he instructed right before he reached for the waistband of my panties and pulled them down. My hands were trembling so much, it took a couple of tries for my fingers to unhook my bra. But I finally managed it and my bra dropped to join the pile of clothing pooled around my feet. Mason jerked his head. "Go lie on the bed, Shane." I immediately ran for the bed, hoping for a reprieve from his intense gray eyes, but I didn't get one.

Mason stood up, and holding me prisoner on the bed by his piercing stare, began removing his clothes. With each discard of clothing, I was presented with what a magnificent being Mason Buchanan really was.

His arms were big and muscular, defined by strong sinew of corded muscles. His chest was wide, cut, and hairless. It tapered down to a six-pack that flowed into a deep, sharp V. I took in the vision before me and, surely, he had to be able to see my heart trying to beat out of my chest even from at the foot of the bed.

It wasn't until he removed his jeans and boxers that I lost all sense of reason. Every synopsis in my brain misfired, rendering me stupid and utterly useless.

Granted, I was a virgin, but even I knew Mason Buchanan's cock was way larger than the average male's penis was. And it looked painfully hard and aggressive.

My entire body shook as Mason climbed on the bed and crawled over my body. But once he propped himself on his elbows and dropped the weight of his lower body on me, I almost fainted.

In all my life, nothing had ever felt as good as Mason's body weight covering me. It felt like I'd been enveloped in a cocoon of warmth and shelter. It felt...I felt...I felt consumed.

"Spread your legs for me, baby," he coaxed as he started peppering small, delicate kisses along my jaw.

"M...M...Mason..." I knew he could hear the quivering in my voice.

He leaned up to look into my face. "Trust me, Shane," he implored. "I promise you'll never be sorry." I stared back into his eyes and, just like that, opened my legs because I trusted him.

I had no reason to...but I did.
Chapter 14

_Mason~_

I wasn't going to last much longer.

It was a miracle I've lasted this long.

The second I tasted her cream on my fingers, I knew I was thoroughly fucked. Shane tasted like I was going to drag her to the Justice of the Peace tomorrow and force her to marry me. Her cream tasted that delicious.

Not to mention how utterly sexy she looked standing before me naked. Shane clothed was a vision to behold but seeing Shane naked was worth selling your soul to Satan for. She was all delicate, feminine curves. She didn't have huge tits or exaggerated hips or ass. Every piece that made up her luscious body was in perfect proportion to make her mouthwatering.

Shane opened her legs up hesitantly, but that was enough for now. And as much as I wanted to kiss every inch of her skin, that would have to wait until I took the edge off of this animalistic need to rut her. And I really didn't care if she got pregnant as a result.

I should...but I really didn't.

I would still take the time to taste her, though. The little tease of a taste on my fingers wasn't nearly enough to sate my appetite. Plus, I wanted her completely drench, so there was as little pain as possible.

She was a shaking mess, but she didn't protest when I started kissing my way down her body. Even when I stopped briefly to suck her pretty, pink nipples into my mouth, Shane had kept quiet, except for the soft moans that had escaped through her parted lips.

When I finally reached her honeyed centered, my shoulders were too wide for me to settle in. "Spread your legs wider, Shane," I instructed right before I gave her pussy a quick swipe of my tongue.

Shane yelped, "Oh, god..."

I blew onto her delicate flesh. "Come on, Shane. I need you to spread your legs, drop your knees back, and open for me, baby." She was shaking and whimpering at my words, but she listened and opened those pretty thighs as wide as she could, and I almost lost my load on the goddamn bed comforter.

Shane's untouched pussy was spread open for my viewing pleasure and what a sight it was; perfectly pink and glistening with her arousal. She was completely bare, except for a nicely trimmed triangle sitting above her hard, little clit. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to stop eating out her pussy once I got started. And knowing my tongue, fingers, and cock would be her first was goddamn intoxicating.

I couldn't wait any longer. I leaned my face into her center, took one long, deep breath, soaking in her sweet smell and flick my tongue out and caressed her in long, slow stokes.

"Mason..." Shane's hands dug into my hair instantly, and the pull was stinging my scalp, but I didn't mind. In fact, I loved the pain. It meant she was so lost in how I was making her feel, she couldn't control herself.

I place a hand on each of her thighs, forcing her legs to stay open and my tongue licked and teased every fold. I licked her from clit to hole and I knew I wasn't going to ever want to stop. She tasted delectable, and I wanted her taste on my tongue every fucking day.

"Oh, god...Mason," she cried out. "I'm...I...what's...it's too much...what..."

Holy Fuck.

Not only was Shane a virgin, but from the way she was flipping out, I'd say she's never even had a fucking orgasm. If I felt like a king before, knowing I'll be the only man to ever touch her...well, fuck me...I felt like a motherfucking god, knowing I would be her first orgasm.

"Let go, Shane," I encouraged her. "Give it to me. Cum all over my fucking face, baby. Cover me like I'm going to cover you." I slipped two fingers in her slick, tight cunt and swirled enough pressure on her hard nub to finally push her over the edge.

"Mason!" I had to hold her hips down as her body bucked up to ride my face. And hearing her scream my name was everything I ever imagined it would be.

I wiped my face off on the inside of her right thigh, and then, made my way back up her body. And it was a journey I wanted to keep making for the rest of my life. I had wanted to spend more time tasting and teasing her, but my dick was about to burst open. I couldn't wait any longer.

Shane's body was trembling in waves of aftershock and she was covered in a light layer of sweat. Her chest was heaving, and her lips were parted, trying to catch her breath. And, I swear to God, I'd never seen a more beautiful site.

And because, apparently, I was an insecure bastard when it came to Shane, I said, "Tell me the first orgasm you've ever had was just now, all over my face."

I was covering her body completely as she looked up into my face and tried to focus. I loved that she looked high out of her mind. Her hands slid underneath my propped-up arms and came around to my shoulder blades as she held me to her. "Mason...that was..." She couldn't even finish her sentence, and I wanted to howl at the moon and beat on my fucking chest.

In my head, what I did next, made total sense. Shane was feeling loose and languid and I figured now would be the time to breach her virginity before she got nervous and tensed up again. So, while she was still basking in the aftermath of her climax, I pulled my hips back, and because her legs were still spread wide open, I slammed my cock home.

"Mason!" Her scream was so loud and piercing, I was sure someone was going to call the cops.

But I didn't give a fuck.

The pleasure of being inside her was so great, I thought I was going to pass out. The only thing that was keeping me conscious was the stinging pain emitting off my back from the groves her nails carved down my back. I could actually feel little trickles of blood oozing from her marks. However, turnabout was fair play. It only seems right I should be in pain when she was withering beneath me from it.

When her back fell back down onto the bed from her bowed screaming, I saw that she had tears streaming down the side of her face. I felt like shit, but her pain was so fucking breathtaking that a sick, dark part of me wanted to keep hurting her, keep marking her and ruining her.

But my conscience got the better of me. Still propped up on my elbows, I used my free hands to wipe away her tears. "I know, baby," I tried to reassure her. "I know. But I need you to relax for me, Shane."

"Mason, it...it hurts so bad," she sobbed.

I never thought there'd ever be a day when I would curse my luck in having a big dick, but that day was here wrapped around in all the pain in Shane's eyes. "I know, baby, but listen to me, okay?" I waited until she gave her chin a small jerk and begged, "You need to relax your body, Shane. I know it hurts, and I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry. But there's nothing I can do about the size of my dick. So, you have to relax, so you can take me, and I can make it feel good for you." I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'm begging you, Shane, please relax, so I can make the pain go away."

I made sure I held her gaze to mine as I gave her all the time she needed to relax her muscles, and give my cock some breathing room. Her hands found my biceps, and she held on as I slowly started moving in and out of her body.

I had to grit my teeth and use every ounce of self-control I possessed to not cum after only a handful of pumps into her tight as fuck pussy. It felt like her body was strangling my cock and the anticipation of how it would feel when she came all over me had me on the edge of insanity.

It wasn't a few moments later that the sounds of her first moan reached my ears and it was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. I picked up the pace, and soon, Shane was spreading her legs wider to accommodate my thrusts and we were steadily fucking.

Little bits and pieces of my mind and soul were destroyed with every push into her body. I was going to give this girl every single piece of me. "God, you feel so fucking good, baby," I hissed out, as her snug cunt squeezed me.

Her head was thrown back and her eyes were closed, but she was coherent enough to reply, "Mason, I...I think it's...it's happening again."

"Fuck yeah," I bit out as I really started fucking her pussy. "Cum all over my cock, baby." I looked down at where our bodies joined and with each pull of my cock, I could see it covered in her blood and the sight made me positively feral. "Cum for me, Shane. I want my cock soaked in your blood and your sweet cum, baby."

Her tiny hands clenched around my arms and her body tightened as she came all over me. "Mason...oh, god, Mason..."

I kept pumping into her, riding her through her orgasm and it wasn't until her body collapsed that unloaded everything I had inside her sweet, tight body. "Jesus fuck, Shane," I grounded out.

She took all of my weight as we laid there silently trying to collect ourselves. After a moment or two, I pulled out of her body and rolled over, gathering her up in my arms, ignoring the sting on my back.

Nothing could ruin this moment.

The room was silent except for our heaving breathing and the only movement in the room was my hand running up and down Shane's arm as she was cuddle next to me. I was still reeling from being inside her when she whispered, "Everything was perfect, Mason. Even the pain."

I stilled, then replied, "Good. Because, by the time I'm done with you, that's all you're going to feel."
Chapter 15

_Shane~_

My eyes fluttered open, and all I wanted to do was close them again and sleep the entire day away. I could feel soreness radiating all over my body.

Even my toes hurt.

Mason hadn't been kidding when he had told me that, by the time he was done with me, I'd be a ruined mess and feel nothing but pain.

But, Sweet Jesus, what a way to be ruined.

After the initial excruciating pain of his invasion, the rest of the night had been nothing but unimaginable pleasure. He pleasured me in ways that never crossed my mind whenever I had thought about sex. Mason kept true to his word, and by the time he let up on me, the sun had been coming up and he had kissed and licked every inch of my skin.

His possession of me had been a constant shock to my system all night long. And he'd had no regard for my modesty. He hadn't given me time to get comfortable around him or with the things we were doing. Mason had gone for it all and I hadn't protested once.

After our first time, we had showered, and I'll never forget the look on his face as he had washed my virginity's blood off his dick. He had looked like he wanted to leave it there. I wouldn't have been surprised if he had snapped a picture of his blood-covered dick and used it has his phone's screen saver, that's how forlorn he had looked as he washed me away.

Little had I know that would not be the only shower of the night, either.

Once we were both clean, Mason had pushed me to my knees and talked me through my very first blow job. And he hadn't been polite about it at all. He had been very vocal about how he felt in my mouth. By the time he came, I had felt as if I had been pleasuring him for years. And I'll never forget how turned on I got when he had pushed my face back and uttered the most filthiest things as he came on my face.

After he had washed my face, he had carried me back to the bed where he had licked and teased my center again, before making me straddle him and ride his cock. Mason had never given me a chance to be embarrassed or let my bones settle in apprehension. He had been a fury of uncontrolled craving, from missionary to ramming into me from behind. He had taken me four times last night, and it felt as if each time got better. I had finally passed out around 3am, and a small part of me wished I'd had the stamina to stay up longer.

Finally, making the decision that I couldn't stay in bed all day long, I sat up, and cursing my aches and pains once again, I noticed that there wasn't any evidence of Mason anywhere.

He left.

He freakin' left me.

The swift kick of abandonment paralyzed my mind. I felt bereft. But before I could cry, panic, rage, or throw myself out the window in a four-story drop, Mason came walking through the bedroom door, fully clothed, and looking like he's been awake for hours.

He took one look at my face and knew something was wrong. He rushed over and sat down next to me. "What's wrong, baby? Are you...did I...are you hurt?"

I shook my head, and even though my eyes were dry, you could hear the brokenness in my voice. "I...I thought you left me," I admitted unabashedly.

But instead of tender sympathy, Mason smirked and said, "That's pretty stupid, considering how obsessed I am with you." I just stared at him, at a loss for how to respond to that. He sighed and placed a hand on my thigh over the sheet. "I do have to go, though. I texted Aiden and he should be here any minute. I was just coming in here to kiss you goodbye."

And then, my brain started working again. "You can't kiss me, Mason. I have morning breath," I pointed out, completely mortified.

He snorted at that. "Like I give a fuck, Shane."

Before he could make contact, I jumped out of bed and ran-naked-to the bathroom. No way was Mason Buchanan going to kiss me while I had after-party morning breath. I could hear the bastard laughing on the other side of the door as I brushed my teeth. I had noticed that he had placed another toothbrush from my value pack in my toothbrush cup, and while I probably should have felt upset that Mason, so obviously, made himself at home, I wasn't. Instead, I felt...like I was a part of something.

I went pee-and that was a nightmare after the abuse my lower half had taken last night-and put on my robe that hung on the back of the bathroom door. I found Mason in the living room, his arms crossed over his chest, looking at me with the most stunning smile I had ever seen on a human being. My steps faltered and I almost face planted at the sight.

Mason Buchanan's smile turned his beauty into...well, I didn't know what. What's the word that transcends beautiful, stunning, magnificent???

He uncrossed his arms and held them open for me to step into. "What's wrong?"

I remained where I stood, still a little shell-shocked. "Your smile...it's...Jesus, Mason, you have got to be the most beautiful person on the planet," I told him honestly.

Mason rolled his eyes. "Come here," he replied. I walked into his arms and as he wrapped his arms around me, he said, "It's just looks, Shane. And they're nothing compared to yours." I straight up snorted into his chest at that. His arms tightened. "It's true. When I look at you, all I see is the rest of my life. And it looks fucking perfect, baby." A knock on the front door stopped me from bawling like an emotional fool.

I turned to head towards the door, but Mason pulled me back. "You're not answering the door for my brother naked underneath that robe, Shane," he explained casually, as if he were discussing the weather. A small smile touched my lips at his possessiveness. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get used to the feeling of belonging to someone.

However, when Mason opened the door, it wasn't Aiden standing there, it was Viola standing on the other side and she was on a mission. She walked right past him, forcing him to step back or be trampled. She was deep into my personal space when she asked, "Are you okay?"

Before I could answer, Mason's phone chimed. He took a quick glance at it and said, "That's Aiden. He's here." He walked back over towards me and kissed my temple. "I gotta go, but I'll call you later."

"Call me?"

He kissed my temple again, like he couldn't help himself. "I programmed our phones with our numbers while you were sleeping." And before I could even comment, he nodded at Viola and walked out of my apartment, locking, and shutting the door behind him.

Viola's screech snapped me out of my stupor. "What in the hell, Shane?"

"I need to sit down," I uttered, and blessedly, Viola followed suit and dropped onto the couch with me. Actually, what I needed was probably to get dressed, but I was so exhausted.

"I'm dying here, Shane," she groaned with exaggeration. "Did you sleep with him last night? Is he really your boyfriend? How did you guys meet? How do you know his brothers? How, what, when, where, why, Shane?" she asked all dramatically.

I had to laugh at her theatrics. "Okay, okay. Calm down, Vi," I said, lowering my hands flat in a calming down gesture.

She huffed. "I will not calm down," she retorted. "You are the only girl to ever fall into the folds of the Buchanan brothers, Shane. Whether you realize it or not, this is a big deal. You are, now, a big deal." Viola kicked off her flip-flops and cuddled her legs underneath her body as she got comfortable on the couch. "So, what's going on?"

I took a deep breath and told her everything, from the first time I ever saw Mason to when he walked out of the door this morning, and her face conveyed every shock and awe I was feeling from the entire ordeal. I kept the details about our sexapades to just telling her that we slept together last night, but Viola knew I was a virgin, so she knew last night was pretty significant. I also left out Mason's speech about belonging to him and how he said no one would love me as much as he would, because I felt that was private and I wasn't about to share Mason's business with anyone.

Viola let me talk uninterrupted, and when I finally finished, she asked for clarification. "So, you're dating Mason Buchanan? You're his official girlfriend?"

I nodded. "It seems so, Vi."

She took a moment to absorb this, and then, her face lit up with one of her captivating smiles. "Oh, my God, Shane! I'm so happy for you," she gushed out.

I snorted. "Why? Because I finally got a boyfriend after twenty-two years?"

Her smile dipped and her face was all compassion when she said, "No. Because you're the best person I know, and you deserve someone like Mason Buchanan."

"Someone like Mason? Meaning?"

"Oh, Shane, babe," she breathed. "Mason Buchanan is going to give you everything you've ever dreamed of."

It was my worst fear hoping for that. "How do you know?"

"That man has reputedly gone twenty-two years without a girlfriend by choice. Now that he's finally named one, that makes you more special than you could even imagine."

I wanted to believe her, but what happens when he realizes that I'm not all that special?
Chapter 16

_Mason~_

I heard a long, low whistle as I walked into the kitchen shirtless and barefoot from the shower. "Goddamn, Mase. What'd you do to the poor girl that she had to fight for her life?" Gabriel remarked dryly.

"Fuck you, Gabe," I replied as I grabbed a bottled water from the fridge. I knew he was referring to the scratches on my back, but it couldn't be helped. The wounds were deep, and I needed to air them out, so they'd dry and heal.

"Seriously, Mason. Those look fucking brutal," he added, now joining me in the kitchen.

I didn't feel comfortable telling Gabriel Shane's business before she had a chance to fully comprehend what it meant to be with me, but I trusted my brother-all my brothers-with everything I had. "She was a virgin," I replied, explaining the gouge marks.

His brows pulled together. "What? She didn't tell you before...well, before?"

I looked at my brother and let out a sigh. I knew where this was going, and while it wasn't his business, we didn't make it a habit of keeping shit from each other. "No, she told me-"

Gabe scowled. "And you decided to tear into the girl regardless?" he barked out.

"No!" I barked back. What the fuck did he take me for?

Our raised voices brought Michael and Aiden out from their rooms. "What's going on?" Aiden asked as soon as he and Michael reached the kitchen.

Gabriel was still scowling. "Ask Mason," he spat.

I closed my eyes and prayed for patience and Divine intervention. But, apparently, God wasn't in an accommodating mood, because when I opened my eyes, all three of my brothers still stood before me, awaiting an explanation. I sighed and went to get this over with. "Gabe's concerned about some marks on my back-"

"Some marks?" Gabriel challenged. "Turn around, Mase, and let Michael and Aiden decide for themselves if those are just some marks." I hung my head down, let out a deep sigh, and did as he asked. I wasn't surprised at the vocal reactions that came from Aiden and Mike.

"What the fuck happened to you?"

"Jesus Christ, Mase. What the fuck?"

I turned back around and addressed Aiden first. "Nothing happened to me."

"What the fuck, Mase?" Michael asked again.

"Apparently, Shane was a virgin before last night," Gabriel bit out, cluing them in on the conversation we'd been having.

Aiden looked murderous, and I knew I was going to have to rein him in. While we all were vehemently opposed to violence against women, Aiden always went off the deep end when the subject was harming a female. Like I said, Aiden's weakness was how much he loved women, and it showed when an innocent woman was being mistreated.

"Look, I appreciate the concern you guys obviously have for Shane, but she's fine," I said, looking at Aiden. "The sting of her first time was unavoidable, but she is fine." I nodded towards the end table in the living room. "Call her if you guys don't believe me."

And Michael-the little shit-trotted off, grabbed my phone, and he fucking called her, putting her on speaker as he made his way back to the kitchen.

Her voice came over the phone, and I was immediately hit with how much I already missed her. "Hello?"

"Hey, Pretty Girl, how are you?" Michael said into the phone.

"Michael?" she asked, confusion lacing her voice. I had programmed my number in her phone under 'My Man', so her confusion was comforting to my pockets of insecurity.

"Yeah, and I'm here with Gabe, Aiden, and Mase," he informed her.

"Oh...uh, okay." We could hear her clearing her throat. "Uh, what's up?"

This time Gabriel spoke up, but I think that was because Aiden was choking on his misguided anger. "Mason has some pretty serious battle scars, and we were just wondering if you were okay?"

She started coughing and sputtering-in shock, no doubt-and I had to smile. Her naivety was so endearing. "They think I hurt you, Shane," I said, clarifying their concern.

"What?" she screeched. "Good God. Of course, you didn't hurt me. Of course, Mason didn't hurt me," she repeated.

"Are you sure?" came three Buchanan voices simultaneously.

This time she scoffed, completely offended on my behalf, and I loved her a little bit more for it. "It was the best night of my life. Is that what you guys needed to know?"

"Yes," came those same three Buchanan voices simultaneously again.

"You guys are so incredibly ridiculous," she uttered right before she hung up on us.

I waited until each of my brothers' faces looked up at me and asked, "So, do you believe me now?"

"Awe, come on, Mase," Michael groaned. "What did you expect?"

I could feel spikes of anger needling at me. "I expected you guys to not think I'm a piece of shit who gets off on hurting females," I spewed.

"We know you're not like that, Mason," Gabriel chimed in, looking regretful. "It's just that..." He trailed off, and I suddenly felt out of the loop.

"It's just, what?"

"Shane's special, Mase," Michael said, picking up where Gabriel left off.

I couldn't control my scowl. "I know she's special. Why the fuck-"

"No, Mason. We mean she's special," Aiden added this time.

What in the fuck?

I crossed my arms over my chest and demanded, "One of you motherfuckers better start explaining what you mean, and you better do it fast." I knew Shane was special. I couldn't pinpoint what it was about her, but she called to everything that I was. I was very aware of how she made me feel and how special that made her in my eyes. But I had no idea what point my brothers were trying to make.

Michael let out a deep sigh. "I know you don't see it like we see it, because you're in love with the girl and all, but that girl has a broken soul, Mason."

I knew that. Even if I hadn't known about her childhood, I knew Shane felt deeply.

"Yeah, and because she's yours, that makes her all of ours to protect and heal," Aiden added.

"And that means protecting her from even you, if we have to," Gabriel informed me.

Michael's next words kept me from going after Gabe. "Mason, Shane's strong, but she is one hiccup away from shattering from whatever is weighing on her soul. Anyone could see it if they just took the time to look into her eyes and see. She's beautifully broken on the inside, and the fact that she's yours, just makes her that much more exceptional to us." And just like that, all my anger dissipated, because they were right.

I knew that Shane grew up in foster care. The second I knew she was it for me, I had a thorough background check done on her, and while it told me a lot, it hadn't told me everything. She may have suffered evils that hadn't been logged on the report. I was counting on her opening up about her life, eventually, but the guys were right. Until I knew what I was dealing with, she needed all of us.

Before I could concede, Aiden was following up on Michael's point. "She's the first and only girl to mean something to you, Mase. That means guys and girls, alike, will be going after her. We're going to have to make sure she's strong enough to stand up to how catty the girls are going to be and how forward the guys will be. She's going to have to know that we all have her back."

"She matters because she's yours, Mason. And she will be the one to test what we're really all made of," Gabe chimed in. They were right, of course. Girls would be jealous or try to use her to get to us, and guys were going to be curious about what's so special about her that she got me to come to heel.

But, more importantly, Gabriel was right about her significance in our lives. She was going to be the catalyst that would determine my future and, in turn, determine theirs. My father was going to lose his shit when he found out about her, and if it happened before we graduated, it would shift everything.

Shane was special. She was an extraordinary kind of special.

I hated the idea of lying about her and trying to keep our relationship a secret, but I knew my demon of a father, and I knew him well. If he couldn't control me, he had no conscience about trying to control me using Shane. I could see him threatening to ruin her chances at a degree or making it hard to find a job after graduation. He possessed that much money and that much power.

"Yeah, okay," I relented. "You guys are right. She is...fuck..."

Michael clapped me on the back and it stung "It'll be okay, Mase." He jerked his head at Gabe. "We're going to go get some last-minute shit before school starts on Monday. Do you guys need anything?" As soon as Aiden and I said no, the twins took off.

"You know that fact that she was a virgin changes shit, right?" Aiden asked.

All I could do was nod. "I know, Aid."

"She has no experience with assholes hitting on her, Mason. We-"

I pierced my brother with a heated glare. "I'll kill anyone who touches her," I hissed.

And I would.

And I knew they would, too.
Chapter 17

_Shane~_

If a paparazzo jumped out of the bushes and snapped my picture, it wouldn't surprise me. Apparently, being Mason Buchanan's girlfriend came with superstar status.

Mason had spent the rest of Saturday texting me and Sunday had been pretty much the same, except for a brief phone call in the evening. Everyone had been too busy trying to get all their last-minute things together for the start of school, that I hadn't seen any Buchanans for the rest of the weekend.

But that has all changed this morning when Mason had pulled up to my apartment to drive me to class. He knew-and I didn't ask how-my school and work schedules, so he knew how limited my free time was. His solution was to be my chauffer. Since I still didn't have a car, I couldn't argue much, and if that was the only way I could see him, then that worked for me.

Because I really, really wanted to see him.

When my mind wasn't on work or school, I was thinking about Friday night. I had never expected to lose my virginity to Mason, but now that I have and know what he's capable of doing to my body...well, let's just say, it was everything I could do not to jump him when he knocked on my door this morning.

And that's bad.

Very bad.

I was so close to getting my degree, I couldn't afford to let Mason Buchanan's body and magnificent penis deter me in any way.

But it would seem that it wasn't just Mason I had to compartmentalize. After that bizarre group phone call where I assured them I was fine, Mason's brothers had randomly texted me throughout the weekend, as well. It was almost like...we were all friends.

Weird.

And now, I had people eyeing me like a science experiment gone wrong.

Mason was walking me to my first class of the day, and he was holding my hand for God and all to see. That one little boyfriend/girlfriend act was garnering looks left and right. "Mason, everyone is staring," I stated the obvious as we got closer to my class.

He just snorted, completely unaffected. "Fuck 'em," he so eloquently instructed.

"Mason..." I chastised.

He stopped me and pulled me into a small alcove entering the east building. He caged me in between his arms and peered down at me. "I will only say this once, so I need you to listen and absorb what I'm saying, okay?" I nodded. "Anyone who didn't speak to you before Friday night, but tries to speak to you now, is a user and an opportunist, Shane. Do not, and I repeat, do not befriend them."

Like I didn't know that. "Oh, really?" My sarcasm unmistakable.

He tried but failed to hide the smile that crept on the edges of his lips. "Don't be a smartass, babe."

My body instantly warmed at his endearment. "Mason, I'm not stupid. I know who my real friends are...well, friend. And it's always just been Viola. Besides, between work and school, I don't have time for new friends."

"Aiden, Michael, and Gabriel."

"Huh?"

He leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose. "Your friends are now made up of Viola, Aiden, Michael, and Gabriel, baby." Before I could reply, he pulled on my hand. "Come on, let's get you to class."

Mason walked me to the door of my first Econ class of the day and kissed my temple before ushering me into the classroom. I was very aware that every eye was on me as I made my way to a vacant seat. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever been, and that's saying something considering how many foster homes I was shuffled through.

I found a seat in the back, and I was pulling out my laptop when a very well put together and pissed off Amber, from Friday night, approached me. And she sure didn't waste any time. "So, is it some kind of joke or something?" she asked insultingly.

I straightened my spine, but I didn't stand up. I would not let her think she was intimidating me. "I'm not sure what you mean, Amber."

She placed her hands on her hips and anger radiated off her stance in waves. "I'm talking about the fact that, out of all the girls on campus, Mason Buchanan chose you to be his girlfriend."

I lifted my chin. "No joke. Mason's my boyfriend," I answered, my words chilly. It also wasn't lost on me that we had the attention of almost everyone who'd been seated.

And in a voice loud enough to carry a few seats down, Amber scathingly spat, "So what? Do you take it up the ass or something? Because I can't imagine any other reason that Mason Buchanan would be interested in a nobody like you."

I could hear both, shocked gasps, and catty snickers, all around us, but it was the rumbling of murmurs that gave me pause. And when that voice reached us both, I almost felt sorry for Amber.

Almost.

"What in the fuck did you just say?"

Amber whirled around and I looked up into the furious face of Aiden Buchanan. "Aid...Aiden..." I said, trying to calm him.

The look he shot me reminded me so much of Mason, I wisely quieted down. He looked back at Amber and I knew this would not be good. "Care to repeat what you just said to Shane? Because it sounded a lot like you were accusing her of being a whore, Amber," he addressed her, his voice smooth and lethal.

I could see Amber visibly shaking and I knew she knew she had just fucked up big time. She started her best to backtrack, but I was fairly sure the damage had already been done. "Aiden...I...I just said..."

And in a voice and volume he didn't try to disguise at all, Aiden said, "I heard what you just said, and it seems as if you've forgotten yourself, Amber."

"Aiden-" I tried again, but Aiden went right on ignoring me.

"Because if memory serves me correctly, wasn't it your sophomore year at Blaineview when you let Beckett Miles, Carlos Montegue, and Tim White plug up all three of your holes at the same time after the football championship win?" He leaned in closer to her and completely discounted the shock on her face. "Do you really want to be the one talking about anyone taking cock up their ass, Amber? I mean, really? Because there's more where that came from."

You could hear a pin drop.

I'd heard rumors that the Buchanans were ruthless, but I never imagined anything like this.

It was only a handful of seconds before Amber shrieked, "You bastard!" She pushed Aiden aside and ran down the steps and full on out of the classroom.

And before I could fully register what the hell had just happened, Aiden turned and addressed whoever could see or hear him. "Anyone one else have anything to say about my sister?"

My heart dropped.

His sister.

Aiden had just claimed me as his sister.

It was all I could do not to burst into tears. Instead, I called out to Aiden. "Aiden, what are you doing here?"

He turned back around, looked down at me, and had the audacity to smile. "This is my first class of the day, too." He sat down next to me and went about pulling his laptop out as if nothing had just happened. With all the drama over, everyone else turned back around in their seats as the professor entered the room and got ready to begin class.

I leaned over to Aiden and whispered, "You don't think that was a little harsh, Aiden?"

He snorted and smirked. "Fuck no, I don't. That little bitch is lucky it was me and not Mason who overheard her bullshit. I just ran her out of class. Mason would have run her out of school. Hell, he might still."

"Aiden!"

Then he turned to me, and focusing his emerald green gaze on mine, he said, "No one is going to ever fuck with you, Shane, and think they can get away with it. Whether it be dicks or tits that shit ain't happening on our shift."

"Our shift?"

"Yeah, our shift; mine, Mason's, Michael's, and Gabriel's," Aiden clarified before sending me a saucy wink. "That shit isn't going to fly now that you're a Buchanan and everyone needs to know it."

Now that I'm a Buchanan.

"But...but I'm not a Buch-"

Aiden turned away from me, setting up his laptop, but said, "Make no mistake, Shane. You're a Buchanan now. If Mason could marry you tomorrow, he would. So, when I said you were my sister, I meant just that." I had nothing to say to that, so I powered up my laptop and got ready for class.

I spent the next hour doing my best to concentrate, but Aiden's words kept ping ponging around in my head. He just claimed me like Mason had. Hell, just like the twins had. I went from only having Viola to, suddenly, having...brothers? In a matter of three days, I went from being a nobody to a Buchanan.

I went from having no family to having an unconditional one.

Holy Crud.
Chapter 18

Mason~

I was doing my best to take things slow, but it's been a long fucking week.

I've always known that all Shane did was go to school, study, and work. But now, that it's affecting how much time I can spend with her, well...her dedication is fucking me up. I wanted, so badly, to pay all her bills for her from my inheritance allotment, so she didn't have to work so much, but I was pretty sure she'd tell me to go fuck myself if I offered.

In a nice, polite, refusal kind of way...but still...

So, yesterday, I spent a good portion of my day in between my classes, her classes, and her jobs convincing her to spend the weekend at my house, so I'd at least get her nights. Even if we just slept because she was so exhausted, I'd take it.

I walked into my bedroom and took in the sight of how perfect she looked sitting down on my bed studying. "You about ready to go to bed?"

She looked up at me and smiled. "I need about thirty more minutes, and then, I'm all yours."

My dick twitched at her words. We hadn't had sex since our first night together and it was taking everything I had to not just kidnap her and keep her tied to my bed forever. "Good," I said, already undressing. "I know you have to be up early for work tomorrow, but I'm still going to steal an hour of your sleep, regardless."

Her eyes dilated, and surprise, surprise, she set her books and laptop aside. "Does...does that mean...you want..."

"Does that mean I'm going to fuck you raw?" I asked, smirking. Her cheeks bloomed, but her eyes were all lust and need. "You're lucky I know you're still new to this, Shane, or I'd be fucking you in school restrooms and libraries in between classes with how much I fucking want you."

Shane stood up off the bed and slowly began undressing. "But if I let you do that, then doesn't that make me the slut Amber accused me of being?"

I wasn't sure what was in her voice, but it wasn't fear or shame. And her words were in contrast to her stripping. When Aiden had called me and told me about Shane's showdown with Amber, I had wanted to seek, kill, and destroy. The only reason I hadn't was because Aiden assured me the set-down he had given her was significant enough to put everyone else in check.

No one would bother Shane ever again.

I was stripped down to my boxer briefs when Shane made her way over to me in her bra and panties only. I cradled her jaw in my hand and answered her honestly. "It makes you my slut, Shane. It makes you the hot, little whore everyone else wished was theirs."

Her voice was a low whisper, but fuck, if it wasn't filled with flames and flickers of white-hot need. "Is that what you want me to be, Mason? Would you prefer it if I were dirty?"

My grip on her jaw tightened. Hearing her talk like that, knowing she'd been a virgin before me and that she would never know any other cock besides mine, had me at full fucking mast. Our first night together had me teaching her how to take and suck my cock, and I had blown my stacks all over and in her body. But the night hadn't been nearly as dirty and depraved as it could have been or will be in the future.

It was my responsibility to guide her into being the best lover she could be, so I went for complete honesty. "Yeah, that's what I want," I groaned at her shocked face. "I want you to want me so badly that you don't care where or how I'm giving it to you, Shane. Anytime, anywhere, anyway...whenever your pussy's wet and begging for my cock, I want you telling me and bending over for it."

Her hands went to my waist. "You won't...you won't think badly of me?"

I threw my head back in a ridiculous laugh. When I looked back down at her, I said, "Shane, baby, the dirtier you are for me, the more I will want you. You want to know why?" She shook her head. "Because it's a special kind of high to know that whatever you let me do to you, you've let only me do it to you."

She hooked her fingers around my boxers and started to pull them down. I took her cue and reached around to unhook her bra, and then, moved to her panties. All the while she's asking questions. "So, if I asked you to go down on me in the library..."

"I'd drop to my fucking knees where we stood, Shane," I assured her.

She looks back up at me and I could see her questions on her face. "I...I think about things like that," she confessed. "I don't know what I'm doing, Mason." She shrugged a dainty shoulder. "Sometimes I wish you'd just make it happen without me having to say anything."

I could feel my throat dry up. "Do you want me to take you or force you?" I asked, completely lost, because there was a difference.

A big difference.

She leaned in and placed a small, sweet kiss on my chest. "Both," she whispered. "I know I'm new to this, but...oh, god, Mason, I want you all the time."

I snapped.

I grabbed her by her forearms and threw her on the bed. She was on all fours, trying to get her bearings, when I came up behind her, and spreading her ass wide and open, slammed my cock into her pussy in one thrust.

No foreplay, no love, no affection, no coaxing...nothing.

" _Mason!"_

My hands held onto her hips with so much force, there'd be bruises in the morning. "Is this what you meant?" I started railing into her. "Is this what you want from me? To bend you over and fuck you whenever I want?" Christ, her pussy was just as tight as it was the first time.

I could see her hands fist the comforter. "Yes."

I showed her no mercy. I was fucking her like she was a meaningless slut, and I was losing my mind in the process. "Be careful, Shane, because it'll cost you your jobs and your degree if you leave it up to me. Because I'll be fucking you every-fucking-where. Here, your place, your work, school, on the motherfucking sidewalk. Every. Fucking. Where. Shane."

"Yes, yes, yes. Oh, Mason, please..."

I pushed into her like she hadn't been a virgin just last week. And, Holy Jesus, she was taking it as brutally as I was giving it to her. I would never have imagined she would crave this. She was just so quiet and demure. "Tell me you're mine, Shane," I demanded. "Tell me that this sweet pussy is mine."

She could barely get the words out from the banging she's taking, but she did. "It's yours, Mason."

"You're mine, Shane," I clarified.

"I'm yours," she immediately agreed.

I picked up the pace and my thrusts were hard and brutal, but she wasn't asking me to stop or let up. No, she was actually moaning and begging for more. Shane was taking the assault on her body like she couldn't get enough. "God, baby, I will never get tired of being inside your hot, tight pussy."

"I'm going to cum, Mason," was her quick reply.

I dug my fingers tighter into her hips and I fucked her deep and relentlessly. There was no give at all. I was forcing her to take every inch of cock I had. "Cum all over my cock, baby," I panted out, not sure how much longer I was going to be able to hold out. Shane's pussy was like a vise and it played hell on my stamina.

"Mason..."

Thank fuck.

I felt her body constrict around mine and it was only seconds later that she flooded my cock with her cream. I fucked her through her orgasm and finally let the tingles at the base of my spine take over and I shot my load as deep inside her as I could. "Fuck!" We both collapsed on the bed and I reached over to pull her into my arms. I know, call me a pussy, but whatever.

After a few moments of silence, Shane asked, "Is it always like that?"

"Is what always like that?"

"When people have sex, is it always intense like that? Does it always feel that addicting?" she asked in an awed whisper.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "I can only speak for myself and the answer is no. My father's control over us growing up was absolute, so we didn't party and fuck around like most teenage boys." I hated talking to her about other girls, but she needed to know where she stood. "My experiences have been more of a...uh, mechanical release than anything else." I tightened my arm around her and pulled her closer. "Nothing has ever felt so good and so right as being inside you, Shane."

She snuggled closer in my hold. "This is all so new, and it feels like it's all moving so fast, but...but I'm glad it is and that it's happening with you."

The tightness in my chest and shoulders, and the weight of all my responsibilities dissipated. And it felt like I could breathe for once. "It was always going to be with me, Shane."

I could feel her lips curve against the skin of my chest. "Arrogant much?"

I chuckled and closed my eyes against everything except the feel of her, the scent of her, and the peace she brought me. "Get some sleep, baby. Some of us have to work in the morning."

Shane let out tired laugh. "Yeah, you poor thing, you."

I fell asleep with her sweet laugh in my ear and all was right with the world.
Chapter 19

_Shane~_

What the hell kind of alarm was that?

Was that even an alarm?

My eyes struggled to open, and even though I knew I was short on sleep last night, it couldn't possibly time to get up already. I mean, come on...

As my eyes struggled to stay open and my ears struggled to comprehend why Mason would use such a weird alarm for his phone, I reached over and that's when my hand hit cool sheets.

I jackknifed, and blinking away the fogginess, I realized that what woke me up was not a ridiculous alarm, but the sounds of an actual shouting match coming from somewhere in the house.

Someone was arguing, and it surprised me at how much it bothered me to think Mason or his brothers might be fighting. And then, it really upset me when I wondered if they were fighting over me spending the night over here. As much as I wanted to spend time with Mason, this wasn't his house only. It was their house. If Aiden, Michael, or Gabriel didn't feel comfortable having me here, they had a right to say so.

I jumped out of bed and scrambled for my clothes. After getting dressed, I darted into the adjoined bathroom and washed my face and brushed my teeth. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was quite possible they might be arguing over me spending the night.

I quickly gathered all my books and papers and stuffed them in my backpack. And gathering my laptop off the dresser, I was prepared to leave. Even if they weren't arguing over me, I didn't want to intrude on a family matter. Besides, I wasn't sure if I wanted to witness four, three, or even two Buchanans in a heated argument.

Not after seeing what Mason was capable of.

Granted, his brothers weren't Branson Morgan, but still. All four Buchanans came across as intense.

I walked over to the door, and as ninja-like as I could, I turned the doorknob and cracked open the door. And it amazed me that the words that hit my ears hadn't dropped me to my knees.

"I've already told you, she's not important," Mason's voice thundered, clear and precise.

"And I already told you, I'm not buying that bullshit, Mason," countered a voice I didn't recognize. All I knew was that is definitely didn't belong to one of the guys. This voice sounded older and harder.

"Well, then, I don't know what else you want me to tell you, Dad, since you won't believe me."

Holy shit.

Mason's father was here.

Mason's father was here, and they were in the middle of a heated argument. How in the hell was I going to sneak the hell out of here? I'm not sure if I was ever meant to meet Mason's parents, but I sure as hell knew I didn't want to meet his father while shit was going down.

"How about you tell me the goddamn truth?! There's a video of you beating the shit out of Branson Morgan on the fucking internet!" his father raged. "You're going to stand there and tell me you got into a fight with a Morgan over a girl who doesn't mean anything to you? Bullshit, Mason!"

A girl who doesn't mean anything to him.

"Well, it's true," Mason hollered back, and my entire chest felt like someone had kicked it in. "Morgan was harassing her, and I put a stop to it."

"You're on the video, clear as day, telling everyone she's your girlfriend, Mason!"

"What would have had me do, Dad? Announce to the entire party she's just someone I'm fucking?" Mason asked and the door of his bedroom took all my weight as my body gave out on me. "I wasn't going to put her on blast like that, so I called her my girlfriend."

Oh, God. Oh, Jesus.

What was he talking about?

Mason wasn't making any sense. We hadn't even slept together when the fight happened. So, why was he lying to his dad?

He told me he loved me.

He told me I belonged to him.

Why? Was it all one big ruse just get me to sleep with him? Was this one big joke? Oh, God...was it an ugly bet or something?

What would Mason get out of making a fool of me, though?

How could Mason say all those things to me, do all those things to me, and then, turn around and tell his father that I don't mean anything? That I'm just some piece of ass he's fucking?

It wasn't like I had been attached to my virginity in the first place. I wouldn't have had any problem handing it over to him. He didn't need to string me along with whispers of love and belonging.

Mason's father's voice pulled at my attention. "I don't care what you call her, Mason, as long as she's just a piece of ass and you're not letting her distract you."

"She's not distracting me, Dad," Mason replied.

"I'd believe you if it weren't for that fucking video, Mason. She's already a goddamn distraction if she's causing you to get into fistfights," Mr. Buchanan reasoned.

"Shane didn't cause that. Branson Morgan caused that by being an asshole," Mason threw back.

"Goddamn it, Mason!" his fathered bellowed, back to yelling. "This is not a fucking joke! I didn't work my ass off and invest in you boys my entire life for you to fuck it up over some pussy!"

"And I'm telling you, I'm not going to fuck anything up for a quick lay!"

"You already are!" his father shouted. "My P.R. office was running amok with removing that goddamn video and laying out scenarios explaining it!"

"I don't need your P.R. office doing fuck!" Mason shouted back. "It was a fight at a college party. It happens every weekend at colleges all over the country!"

"But not everyone going to those other colleges is a fucking Buchanan!"

"No, they're not," Mason agreed. "But they've got just as important names as we have."

I didn't know how much more I could listen to. I had to get out of here, and I seriously contemplated crawling out the window when Mr. Buchanan's next words froze my blood.

"Well, while my P.R. department was trying to clean up your mess, they did a background check on your girlfriend," he said, sneering the word 'girlfriend'.

"Oh, yeah," Mason replied, his voice challenging.

There was nothing to drown out the sounds of his father's words. No outside traffic. No radio music. No T.V. background noise. Nothing.

Mr. Buchanan's words came through loud and clear and they hollowed out my insides with each syllable he uttered. "You're immortalized on the internet for life defending a goddamn scholarship student who was raised in the foster system, Mason. Are you telling me you couldn't find a more suitable female to get your dick wet with? You had to stoop to slumming it with a fucking scholarship student?!" He was back to screaming by the time he was done.

Slumming it?

He didn't even know me. How could he...?

"And, for the love of God, Mason, please tell me you're using protection with this girl," his father continued. "Do not tell me you've been fucking this girl without protection."

I couldn't hear anymore.

I turned to actually climb out of the window when I heard the front door open and Mason's father's voiced boomed throughout the living room, once again. "And where in the fuck have you three been?"

I heard the door shut, and then, Aiden's voice answer, "Uh, we went out to pick up breakfast." I heard the faint crinkling of a paper bag and I imagined he was holding up the evidence for his father.

"Oh, that's just fucking great," he responded. "You guys are out getting breakfast while your brother is getting into fights over scholarship whores."

"What the fuck?" Gabriel (I think) replied incredulously.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Aiden asked, his voice sounding murderous.

"Don't start with me, Aiden," his father said. "I know you seem to think women matter as the most precious things on earth, but they're not. They are a piece of the puzzle only. A small fucking piece. They are not part of the big picture. They're here for us to fuck and to give us children to carry on our legacies. Nothing fucking more."

Jesus Christ. Who was this man?

"Not to me," Aiden responded. "And you would do well to remember that, Dad."

There were a few seconds of silence before his father really lost all control. "I can't believe this!" he started. "I have spent years teaching you guys how to be men-successful men-and how to avoid getting caught up in the trap of thinking with your dicks, and here you guys all are, letting Mason fuck his way into a disaster! How many times do I have to warn you four to stay the fuck away from women?!" None of the boys commented, and so, he just kept going. "I've showed you how and where to go to take care of this shit. There's no excuse for this. None!"

"You're overreacting," Michael said, finally entering into the conversation.

"I'll show you overreacting, Michael," his father threatened.

I couldn't listen to anymore. I had to get out of here.
Chapter 20

_Mason~_

I wanted to kill my father.

I wanted to kill him, and then, kick my own ass.

With every hateful word he spewed about Shane, I could feel my balls shriveling up and the feeling of emasculation was drowning me with each moment that I didn't defend her.

When I had gotten out of bed this morning, it had surprised me that the guys were already up, and so, I had sent them out to grab some breakfast, so that Shane would have something to take with her to eat before she started her waitressing shift.

I knew she was going to be tired, and it was my responsibility to take care of her the best I could. When the door to the house had opened, I had expected it to be my brothers. I had never imagined it would be my father, and he'd be here because of that stupid fight. I should have known better than to think it wouldn't have been videotaped or put on social media.

And now, we were all paying the price for it. For my hotheadedness.

"Don't threaten me, Dad," Michael said, replying to my father's threat, and everyone in the room knew that tone.

My father cleared his throat and backtracked as best he could. Even he knew Michael's temper was deadly. "I'm not threatening you. I'm remind-"

Whatever bullshit he was about to spew was interrupted by the sound of a door shutting down the hallway.

Shane was awake.

Fuck.

All our attentions centered on the opening from the hallway into the living room and within seconds, Shane appeared in all her morning-after glory.

Hers eyes scattered throughout the room, landing briefly on each of one of us and, for some reason, her gaze remained on Aiden as she finally spoke. "I...uhm...I'm sorry," she said, her voice firm but small. "I...didn't me...mean to...intrude, but...your voices were carrying..." she uttered, this time her voice softening towards the end. She nodded towards the front door. "I'll just be on my w...way. I...you guys are...private. Uh, family...I...uhm..."

"Shane-" Aiden began, but got cut off by my father.

"Are you fucking serious?" I turned to face him. "That's her, right? You're telling me she means nothing to you, but the entire time we've been talking, she's been in your fucking bed, Mason? You actually brought a fucking girl here?!"

"This is none of your business!" I thundered.

"Like hell it isn't!"

My retort was halted when Shane's voice broke through our shouting match. "I...I'm sorry."

My father turned to her. "What?"

This time Shane's eyes were focused on my fuck of a father when she spoke. "I'm sorry, Mr. Buchanan. I'm sorry if my...if I'm...if there are problems stemming from my rela...from knowing Mason."

"Shane-" This time it was Michael addressing her.

She glanced at him really quickly before returning her attention to my father. "I'm sorry about the video, but there's nothing that can be done about that now." Shane readjusted her backpack strap around her shoulder, and then, hugged her laptop to her chest tighter. "But you don't have to worry about the...the rest. Mason and I are just frien..." Her face flushed as she scrambled on. "We just know each other. He wasn't lying when he told you we're not..."

That answers that.

She overheard enough, and she overheard all my responses to my dad's accusations.

I had to avert my eyes, even though she was focusing on my father, because I couldn't look at her.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Michael bit out.

Shane ignored him and kept addressing my father. "Please don't fight on account of this...me. We were just having a little fun, Mr. Buchanan. I'm sorry," she apologized again before walking towards the front door.

"Having fun?" Gabe asked incredulously.

I couldn't stand it any longer. I couldn't have her believing the shit I said. "Shane." She froze for a second but snapped out of it and turned the doorknob to open the door.

"Bye, guys," she mumbled, opening the door.

I was across the room and slamming the front door shut in front of her before she knew what hit her. My back was covering her, and my lips were at her ear. "Shane, please listen-"

I wasn't expecting her voice to sound so strong and resolute when she said, "If you have, even an ounce of respect for me, you'll let me walk out this door and not subject me to anymore of your father's verbal abuse, Mason."

Well, fuck me.

What the fuck was I supposed to say to that?

I didn't want to let her go, but she was right. She didn't deserve to be subjected to the venom my father was emitting. My brothers and I were used to it, but she wasn't.

Or worse, she was.

Either way, she was right, and she didn't need to be here for this. "I'll call you later. After your shift, okay?" Shane just nodded, and I stepped back to let her leave.

She was halfway out the door when Aiden's voice reached her. "Do you need a ride home?"

Without looking back at him, she shook her head. "No, thank you, Aiden," she replied, and then, shut the door behind her. The second the door clicked shut, I knew I had fucked up.

I should have told her all about my family and its fucked-up dysfunction. I should have gone after her freshman year and said to hell with my father and Buchanan Industries. I should have done a lot of shit differently.

I could only pray now that she'll hear me out and forgive me my stupidity.

"You went after her mighty fast for someone who doesn't matter to you, Mason," my father said, his voice smug as if he won some side bet or something.

I turned to him and I had never felt hate for another human being as I did in that moment towards my father. "No matter who or what she is, she didn't deserve your scorn," I pointed out.

He just shrugged a shoulder. "Can't say I care, son." He headed towards the same door Shane had just walked out of. My father took a second to stare each of us down before saying, "Now that that's taken care of, I expect the rest of you to have learned something from this. Either get your dick sucked by a professional, or at least a girl of good breeding." And then, he was out the door before I could murder him.

It wasn't a full minute before Michael lost his shit. "What the fuck, Mason? How could you just stand there and let him talk about her like that?"

Gabe joined in. "Yeah, Mase. What the fuck was that all about?"

I ran my hands through my hair and just pulled. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. "He blindsided me," I answered pathetically.

"And, so, what?" Aiden asked. "That's reason enough to let him talk to her like that? Talk about her like that?"

I knew Aiden was pissed, and I didn't blame him. "No! No, it's not, but...fuck!"

And then, I knew I was really fucked when Gabriel voiced his disapproval. Gabriel was always loyal to us, no matter what. "You should have left her the fuck alone, Mason," he seethed. I looked over at him and I knew he was struggling. "We told you she was special. We warned you," he reminded me. "You should have left her the fuck alone and let her give herself to someone who would be man enough to choose her." He crossed his arms over his chest before delivering the final blow. "She's been rejected enough times in her life, Mason. She didn't need to experience it again from you."

Gabe's aim was perfect and deadly. I just stood there staring at my brothers, knowing I fucked up beyond a simple 'I'm sorry'. But Gabriel's words, though true, weren't enough to make me walk away from Shane. "She's mine, Gabe." I looked at all my brothers and said, "She's fucking mine. And I know I fucked up, but that doesn't change anything."

"It's not us you need to convince, Mase," Michael said, calming down.

"She doesn't get a choice," I snapped. "And fuck Dad. I'll do this without him or his money if I have to."

"Mason, you need to go after her," Aiden advised.

I shook my head. "I can't."

"Why the hell not?" Gabriel barked out.

"Because she's going to work and I know how important work is for her," I explained. "If I showed up, and caused a scene or got her fired, then I'll really be fucked."

But I had a feeling I was already way fucked.

I failed my first test where she was concerned.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do if she didn't forgive me.
Chapter 21

Shane~

All these years, work has kept me fed and sheltered and, apparently now, it's keeping me sane.

I wasn't too proud to admit I had been a mess when I had left Mason's and I hadn't sure how I was going to be able to get through the day. The pain of his betrayal had been that crippling. I had felt nothing like it before in my life.

The first time someone claimed to have wanted me and it was all a lie. His professions of love and declarations of belonging to him had all been bullshit. And I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Luckily, my shift at the diner had flowed right into my shift at the bookstore and I was too busy to cry myself into heartache. Well...cry much into heartache. My breaks had been brutal and spent in the bathrooms throughout the day.

I had gotten home, showered, cried in the shower, and now, I was sitting in the living room, books scattered all around me with my laptop propped open, and not getting a damn thing done. I couldn't concentrate and my heartbreak wasn't limited to Mason, either.

For some reason, I felt the loss of Aiden, Michael, and Gabriel, too. It felt as if I had finally had friends besides Viola, and now, those had been taken from me, along with my faith in belonging.

I wasn't sure how long I sat and stared at my laptop, but I was brought out of my daze when a knock sounded at my door. I stood up and prayed it was Viola as I walked over to open the door. The door had a peephole, but I never used it because no one ever visited me, except for Vi. I swung the door open and found a very stoic Mason Buchanan standing on the other side.

And I had never felt so much anger for another human being as I did looking at him now.

All the beatings I endured as a child, all the neglect, all the abuse, and all the loneliness didn't compare to the absolute anger I felt towards Mason right now. No one else had ever made any promises to me, so I never expected much. But I believed Mason. I believed him when he said I belonged to him. I believed him about everything.

"What are you doing here?"

"May I come in?" he asked, not answering my question.

I shook my head. "No." His jaw tightened, and I knew he was struggling to remain calm. He was probably fighting his instincts to just move me aside and come in anyway. I didn't imagine that many people told him no.

"We need to talk," he said. "And I don't think it's a conversation that should be had in the doorway of your apartment, Shane."

My gaze didn't waver from him as I corrected him. "We have nothing to talk about, Mason. So, if you don't mind, I have a lot of studying to do-"

"Bullshit!" he barked. "We have everything to talk about!"

I was so irritated, I put my hands on my hips, not realizing that it left the door unsecured for him to just swing open and walk in. I turned, my eyes following him as he walked into my living room. "Get out of my house, Mason."

He whirled around on me and his face was all anger and his eyes were all steel. "The fuck I will, Shane. We need to talk," he said again.

I couldn't believe his nerve.

How could he stand there and not see how I was crumbling apart inside? How could he not feel the pain radiating off me? "What exactly do you want to talk about, Mason?" I asked. "You want to talk about how I'm not important to anyone?" He flinched, but I didn't care. "Do you want to talk about how I'm just a convenient fuck? How about how I'm poor scholarship trash?"

My words must have hit their mark, because he seemed to deflate right in front of me and said, "None of that is true, Shane."

My anger gave way to hurt. Just like that, I went from spitting mad to horribly pained. The tears started, and I didn't care. I've never been prideful; I couldn't afford to be. I ate scraps and wore hand-me-downs. I've lived most of my life at the level of most people's shoes. I didn't care if he saw what he did to me. I didn't care if he won. I didn't care, because I would pick myself back up and move forward just like I always have in life.

I didn't have a fear of being alone. I just didn't want to be alone. But if I had to be, I was okay with that. Yeah, Mason might have used me for his own entertainment purposes, but I was the one who rushed into believing the words of a boy I didn't know.

This was on me.

But I wasn't strong enough not to beg. I ignored the tears and said, "It's all true, Mason." I held up my hand to stop is objections. "I'm not important. I never have been. I never will be," I said truthfully. "And because of that, I probably always will be just a quick fuck to someone. And there's no denying that I am poor and here on scholarship."

"Sha-"

"And I'm okay with all of that, Mason," I went on, ignoring his attempt to...well, I don't know. "But what I'm not okay with is lying. I'm not okay with being lied to and manipulated. If this were a bet or a joke, it could have been all that without you throwing out declarations of love. You didn't have to make me believe I belonged to you."

"You do belong to me!" he snapped at me.

I opened myself up to him. I showed him everything I was feeling in my eyes and body language. I wanted him to know how serious I was when I said, "If this morning is an example of what it means to belong to you, then I want to belong to someone else, Mason."

He was across the room with his hands on my arms and my back pressed up against the wall before I could blink. His silver eyes were swirling with anger, regret, shame, and a whole host of other things. He pierced me with his stare as he said, "You will never fucking belong to someone else, Shane."

I broke.

I broke down completely.

I started sobbing, and the tears felt like they were being ripped out from deep inside of me. "Please, Mason. P...please, just leave me alone," I begged, not taking my eyes off his. I had to show him how serious I was. How serious this was to me. How serious my life was to me. "All I want is to go to school and work. I just want my degree, so I'm never homeless again and you...you're jeopardizing my one and only chance here." Mason let go of my arms and took a step back from me. He looked torn, but I didn't care. I didn't owe him anything. "I can't study, work, or concentrate in class if I'm too busy crying over you or feeling like I should just walk away from all my goals and dreams just to avoid you."

"Shane-"

"I am begging you, Mason," I said, knowing I would use everything in my power to manipulate this situation to come out in my favor. "I am begging you. Forget love and respect. If you have even an ounce of basic human compassion for me as a person, you'll leave me alone and not destroy everything I've been working towards for the last six years." My sobs were real and painful. "Oh, God, please. Please, please..."

His hands turned into fists at his side and his face was pure anguished fury. "I can't, Shane. I love you. I love y-"

"No, you don't!" I screamed in his face. "I may have grown up without it, but even I know that this morning wasn't love!"

"This morning was love!" he roared back. "It was just cowardice, too! Cowardice on my part!"

"And I won't love a coward, Mason!" How could he expect me to? "I have nothing and no one, don't you get that? I have fucking nothing!" I yelled again. "I want someone who is strong enough to be with me even if it means we'll have nothing together. I don't want someone who needs or wants money, status, or power more than they want me with my nothing."

"Goddamn it!" he shouted to the ceiling.

"Leave, Mason," I begged again. "Don't ruin the only chance I have at a good life. Please."

He looked back down at me and the look on his face almost dropped me to my knees. I was the one falling apart, but he's the one who looked like he was about to crumble. His voice sounded rough and ragged. "I can't, Shane. I admit I handled shit wrong this morning, but I meant every word I said to you."

That was my chance. "Well, if it's true that you truly do love me, then love me enough not to destroy my dreams and ruin my life, Mason."

A few seconds went by before he stormed over to the wall next to the front door and slammed his fist through the drywall. I stood there in shock as I watched Mason lose it.

After enough hits to render his fist bloody and bruised, he turned the doorknob to the front door and swung it open. He was out the door, but not before he said, "I'm leaving, Shane, but this isn't over. This is not fucking over."

My body slid to the floor, as the door shut, and I cried until I couldn't anymore.
Chapter 22

_Mason~_

I probably should have been concerned that the bottle of whiskey on the coffee table was damn near empty and it wasn't even nine in the morning, but I wasn't.

It wasn't like I was even going to get drunk. My mind was so fucked-up over the shit with Shane, I was barely buzzed right now.

The only reason I had left her apartment last night was because she was right, and while I wasn't going to leave her alone, she deserved some space.

So, that's what I was doing.

I was giving her space.

Because I sure in the fuck wasn't going to let her go.

Not now, and not fucking ever.

Especially, now that I've had her. She was out of her mind if she thought I'd be okay letting someone else take care of her, love her. And over my dead body would I let another man fuck her.

I heard footsteps behind me, and I immediately knew it was Michael. Aiden and Gabriel liked to sleep in during the weekends. Even if they hadn't partied the night before, they were big fans of sleeping in.

My assumption was confirmed when I felt the couch give next to me from Michael's weight. "Can't say I've ever had that for breakfast before. Is it hitting the spot?"

I grunted and poured myself anther tumbler full. I took another sip before answering my brother. "Yep." Michael let out a deep sigh.

All three of them had been awake when I came home last night from Shane's. And all three had witnessed the mess I was. I had left our south side wall in a tattered mess of falling drywall and debris. Once the storm had passed, Aiden had commented that he'd get it taken care of later today. I made sure to let him know to send someone over to Shane's to take care of her wall, too.

"Come on, Mase. You've been in tight spots before. Hell, you've been handling the pressures of being the eldest Buchanan for years, juggling the abuse, school, girls, mom, us...what's got you falling apart now? We both know you're not going to let that girl go, so what's going on?"

Mike was right. I wasn't going to let her go and I've handled all kinds of problems with ease before. The only difference was that, aside from my brothers, Shane's feelings have been the only ones to matter to me and I couldn't control them. My brothers were stuck with me, so no matter how heated a fight, we'd always be tied together by blood. But I had nothing tethering Shane to me permanently.

Maybe I should get her pregnant. Then she'd never be free of me and she'd have to always forgive me when I acted like an asshole.

Fuck. The whiskey must be hitting me finally.

"So, what is it, Mase?"

"She thinks I'm a coward," I finally admitted. "Even if I force her to stay with me, she'll never trust me to take care of her. She might be with me, but she'll believe she's alone." The honesty in my words felt like I was being sliced open. "Jesus, Mike, you didn't see her tears. I can't get the sound of her sobs and her begging out of my goddamn ears."

And I couldn't.

It was one of the most excruciating experiences of my life, having to witness how much hurt I caused the woman I loved. A man who can turn his back on his woman in tears isn't really in love with her. Because, your woman's tears, especially if they've been caused by you, is damn near debilitating.

"Do you want us to talk to her?"

I let out a pitiful laugh. "Hell, no. She already thinks I'm a coward. All I need is for her to think I'm a fucking pussy, too. I can't handle it, so I send my brothers to fix it for me? Yeah, no thanks," I huffed out.

"What do you need us to fix?" Gabriel asked from behind us. Christ, they must really be worried about me if they're getting up early on a Sunday morning to babysit me.

"Shane thinks Mason's a coward, and that he's not strong enough to choose her above everything else," Michael so helpfully answered.

Gabe plopped himself on the armchair nearest to Michael, and then, let out a low whistle when he saw the very used bottle of whiskey. "Are you?" he asked, and I wanted to smash the bottle upside his skull.

"No," I bit out. "I'm just giving her some space, while I figure out how I'm going to pay for school on my own." I took another swig of liquor. "Maybe I can go back for my degree after she gets hers," I mumbled to myself.

"I say you call Dad's bluff," Gabe suggested as he pulled the bottle out of my reach.

I gave him a pointed look. "He knows I don't care about myself. The second I call his bluff, he will go after you guys. You're sitting there telling me you don't care if he cuts you off from every luxury you've ever known?" I challenged.

"It's not like we're helpless, Mason," Michael answered instead.

"No, but you're only eighteen," I reminded him.

"Do you really think if it came down between you or Dad, we'd pick Dad?" Gabriel asked.

I let out a deep breath. "The point is that I don't want you guys to have to pick, Gabe. Our futures are tied together and I'm not going to make a decision about it without contemplating all the outcomes."

"You're a stupid fuck," came Aiden's voice from behind me.

I twisted around to face him. "Is that so?"

Aiden made his way around the couch and took up residence on the coffee table. He took notice of the whiskey bottle before saying, "Yeah, that's so."

"I totally agree," quipped Michael.

I scanned the faces of my three brothers. "Okay, then explain it to me."

Aiden rested his elbows on his knees and lean forward, making sure he had my complete attention. "You're right, Mase. Our futures are tied to each other's and Buchanan Industries has been reorganized to have four heads instead of just one. However, none of it will work if one of us abandons ship."

"I don't want to be at BI if I have to do it under Dad's rule," Gabriel chimed in. "I won't do it."

"Neither will I," Michael added.

Aiden sat up straight and shrugged a shoulder. "We go wherever you go, Mason. Fuck Dad."

I dropped my head in my hands and ran my fingers through my hair. I appreciated everything they were saying, but could I really ask my brothers to risk their financial futures because I fell in love? Because of my selfish wants and needs? "And if we all end up out on the streets?" I asked.

Michael's dimples came out. "We won't end up on the streets, Mase. We'll all just shack up with Shane."

I let out a huff. "Right now, I think she'd rather see us homeless."

Michael scoffed. "Puhlease. She might want to see you homeless, but she likes me."

Gabriel got back to being serious. "Look, Mase, it's not like we're destitute. Everything we have is paid for, so our allowances have been doing nothing but growing in a bank account. Yeah, Dad can cut us off from any future monies and kick us out of this house, but the bank accounts were turned over to us the second we each turned eighteen. He can't touch them," he reminded us all. "We can live off that until we find jobs or whatever."

"We can even still afford to go here if we're careful," Michael added.

"They're right, Mase," Aiden joined in. "The one thing Dad can't take away from us is our last name. Even without Dad supporting us, doors will open for us using our last name alone."

I dropped my head back and closed my eyes. No matter what happened, I'd never be able to repay them this moment in time. "What if she doesn't forgive me?" I asked, voicing my real concern. "It's important to me that she's happy. What if I can no longer make her happy?"

"She'll forgive you, Mason," Aiden replied. "Once she sees you've given up everything you have for her, she'll forgive you."

"I wish it were that simple, Aid," I said. "I let her down like everyone else in her life has. I'm just like everyone else now."

They all remained silent because they knew it was true. I made her feel worthless, and that knowledge was gutting me wide open. I felt like I was being eaten alive with self-loathing and regret. I should have told my dad to go fuck himself. She should have witnessed how much she did matter, but instead, she saw another foster family sending her back.

Fucking Christ.

I could feel the heat begin behind my eyes and I was pretty fucking sure my brothers were going to witness me cry for the first time in their lives. "For the first time in my life, I don't know what to do," I admitted.

"Let me think," Michael whispered to himself mostly, and we all stayed silent as he did his thing. Like I said, Michael could assess calmly when everyone else around him panicked. After a lot of mumble utterances none of us could make out, Michael looked up at us with a smile on his face. "Let's head home this Friday, after classes, and tell Dad to go fuck himself. It'll give Shane all week to calm down and it'll give us all weekend to come up with a plan if all else fails."

Gabe looked over at him as if he'd lost his mind. "That's your plan?"

Mike rolled his eyes. "We tell him in front of Mom, Gabe. We make sure to tell him in front of Mom. It'll be her one chance to do the right thing, and if she doesn't, then we kill two birds with one fuck-off stone."

"Do you really think, after all this time, Mom will actually stand up for us," I asked skeptical.

Michael smiled. "Oh, yeah."

I narrowed my eyes at him. He knew something. I just hoped whatever it was worked in our favor.
Chapter 23

_Shane~_

I had to be the most pathetic person on the planet.

Once a doormat, always a doormat, I supposed.

It was Friday night, and I was a few minutes away from my shift ending at the diner, and all I felt was a deep sadness that I was going home to an empty apartment.

I hadn't heard from Mason all week and I never imagined how lost I'd feel over that. I know I was the one who told him to leave me alone, but a small part-okay, a large part of me was hoping he'd ignore me and fight for me.

I hoped he'd prove that I wasn't an unwanted, worthless case.

As devastated as I had been over everything that had happened, by the time Wednesday had rolled around, I started thinking about Mr. Buchanan. Hearing the things he had said to Mason and his brothers had been unimaginable. He had spoken like he had been training soldiers. He had spoken to them like they were supposed to be unfeeling robots and not young men with their own thoughts and ideas.

The one thing that had really taken me by surprise had been his reaction to Michael. Mr. Buchanan had actually seemed afraid of him. It made me wonder at everything I didn't know about the guys. I mean, sure I'd heard the rumors, and since meeting them I've seen small glimpses of their personalities, but I really didn't know them.

I didn't know them, but I knew I missed them. Michael had sent me small, random texts throughout the week asking how I was, but other than that, they'd all been scarce.

My shift was finally over, and I grabbed my jacket and started my walk home. I usually took the bus, but this week, I looked to the long walks to help stave off the inevitable of walking into my lonely apartment. The night air was cool, but I didn't mind. I had been walking around all week in a numb state, anyway.

My phone rang, and as I pulled it out of my pocket, I saw that it was Viola. "Hey, lady."

"Hey, back. What are you doing?" she asked.

"I just finished my shift at the diner. I'm headed home."

"Have you thought anymore about what I said?" she asked, not pussy footing around.

When I had broken down Saturday night, I had called Viola, and she had come over and held me as I shattered to pieces. She hadn't judged and hadn't said anything negative. She had actually encouraged me to hear Mason out and weigh his words before making a final decision. Viola was positive that Mason's feelings for me were the real thing and she didn't think I should let my childhood insecurities wipe out any chance of repairing things with Mason.

"I have, Vi, but I think it's too late," I answered, thankful that the streets were quiet. People talking loudly on their cell phones in public was a pet peeve of mine.

"Why do you say that?"

I wrapped my jacket tighter around my body. Not sure if I was warding off the chilly night or the depression from my next words. "I haven't heard from him all week, Vi."

She was silent for a few seconds before she said, "Okay, but that could be because he's waiting for you to calm down, Shane. I bet if you called him, he'd rush right over."

"I'm scared," I whispered honestly.

"I know you are, babe. But don't let Mason Buchanan become one of your greatest regrets in life," she whispered back. "I know it feels all too good to be true, but Shane, you don't see the way he looks at you the way the rest of us do. That man loves you. I'd bet my degree on it."

"This is so ridiculous, Vi. It's only been two weeks. How can this be such a disaster after only two goddamn weeks?" I spent a lot of this week wondering how Mason and I went from not speaking for three years to professions of love and eternity.

"Love doesn't work on a timeline, babe," she said sagely.

"Okay, Vi, I'll...Hey! Ow! Wha-" Suddenly, I felt a pair of strong hands grabbing me from behind and dragging me down a closed off alley. It all happened in a matter of seconds when I was thrown up against the brick building that housed one of the many business down this street.

I looked up to find Branson Morgan holding me in a stinging grip against the wall, my purse and phone falling to the ground. "Branson, what in the hell are you doing?"

He smirked, and it was evil looking. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I knew this was going to be bad. I had managed to avoid Branson since his fight with Mason, but apparently, he wasn't trying to avoid me.

He removed one of his hands off my arm and reached up to caress my cheek. "I heard Buchanan dumped you."

I closed my eyes briefly. That was another thing that had made this week hellish. Because everyone noticed everything about the Buchanans, they noticed right off when Mason was no longer walking me to class. The girls snickered, and the guys got predatory. There were smug smiles, whispered innuendos, and outright hostility.

I missed being invisible.

"He didn't dump me," I fired back.

His hand kept tracing my face, but I didn't knock it away. I didn't want to antagonize him. "Oh, really? Then why haven't I seen him tagging along after you all week?"

"That's none of your business."

Branson went on as if I hadn't spoken. "See, my guess is that he popped that sweet cherry of yours and moved on." He leaned into me, and I shuttered as he sniffed my skin. "And I know he popped it, because you smell used, Shane."

I wanted to punch him in his face. But if he could last long enough to go a couple of rounds with Mason, I knew I was no match for him. "My relationship with Mason is none of your business," I repeated.

He planted both hands on either side of my shoulders, trapping me. "Here's the thing, Shane. I don't really care if you're a virgin or not. Now, don't get me wrong. I would have loved to make you bleed all over my dick, but just because Buchanan got that honor doesn't mean I don't still want to fuck you."

I cringed. The thought of being with anyone, besides Mason, made my stomach turn. It's funny how, two weeks ago, I was willing to hand over my virginity to any random guy who had shown me any interest, but now that I've been with Mason, I couldn't imagine being with anyone else. I supposed that was another reason to take Viola's advice.

"It doesn't matter if you want to sleep with me or not, Branson," I snapped back. "I'm not interested in you, with or without Mason in the picture." I had expected him to get upset, but instead, he threw his head back and laughed.

And it wasn't a good laugh.

Branson looked back down at me and his words had me frozen to the core. "You think I give a fuck what you want, Shane?" My eyes widened at what he was insinuating. "Even if I didn't want in between your legs, I'd still force my way in them just to show Buchanan that he ain't shit."

I didn't care if it seemed premature. I started screaming, and his startled shock at my unexpected screams gave me the opportunity to push him away. I took off running, but I didn't get very far before I felt a tug on the back of my jacket, and I went careening to the ground. The impact of the fall stole my breath and my screams came to an abrupt end.

Before I could get my bearings, Branson had me turned over onto my back, holding me prisoner by his weight on my body. "Just for that, I'm not going to stop until you're so torn apart, they're not going to be able to sew you back together," he snarled. "Let's see how much Mason wants to fuck you then, when you're split from pussy to asshole, you uppity bitch."

"Get off me!" I screamed as soon as I got my breath back.

His hands started roaming and his breath reeked of alcohol. "I can't wait to send you back to Mason covered in my fucking cum."

His touch was making me want to vomit with each caress. I couldn't let this happen. And I knew...I knew that no matter what was going on with me and Mason, he wouldn't want this for me. "Mason's going to kill you," I threatened.

"Maybe," he cackled. "But, while I might be dead, he'll have to spend the rest of his life knowing he wasn't the only one to cum inside his precious pussy."

The fear his words instilled was real.

I punched.

I kicked.

I screamed.

I fought.

God, how I fought

I scream and fought with everything I had. I ignored the tearing sound of my clothes. I ignored the crushing weight of his body. I ignored it all as I fought to save myself. When the blow to my face turned everything dark, my last thought was of Mason.
Chapter 24

_Mason~_

Not a lot rattled me, but I had to admit being here, knowing it was going to change my world-our world-had me anxious. I wanted to get this over with and run back to Shane and beg her forgiveness.

It's been only one week, but that was enough to tell me that there was no way I'd be able to spend the rest of my life without her. I had been climbing the walls after only two days. Seven days later, I felt like I was losing my grip on reality.

My father walked into his study with my mother falling in his wake. When Aiden had called him and told him we were all coming home because we needed to talk, he had let him know that we demanded our mother's presence, as well. My father had tried to protest, but when Aiden had mentioned that my mother's attendance was insisted upon by Michael, he had caved. Harold Reginal Buchanan might be a world-class bastard, but he wasn't stupid. And even he knew enough to be wary of Michael.

After all, he's the one who created him.

His strides were purposeful, and he looked every bit the billionaire devil he was as he went to stand behind his desk. My mother chose to stand next to the bar in his study while Aiden, Mike, Gabe, and I took up the center of the room.

My father wasted no time. "So, what's all this about?"

"Shane's my girlfriend," I answered easily. Now that I was here, doing this, the words were easy. "Everything on that video is true. I beat the fuck out of Branson Morgan because he had put his hands on what's mine."

His face took on a horrible hue of red. "I knew it," he spat. "I fucking knew you were lying to me about her." I didn't reply to the truth of his words. "Well, I won't have it, Mason. Do you hear me?" He fisted his hands at his side. "I will not have my firstborn son getting in bed with a nobody!"

I crossed my arms over my chest and stare him down. "It's not up to you, Dad. Shane's mine and I'm not giving her up. Period."

His fist rained down on the surface of his oak desk. "Yes, you are!" he bellowed. "You are going to finish with that tramp. And if you need a girlfriend that badly, then find someone worthy of standing by your side."

I uncrossed my arms and stalked toward his desk. I placed my palms down on top of the desk and leaned into him. It never sat well with him that we had all surpassed his height, and it was a petty advantage. "You have it all wrong," I replied. "I'm not worthy to stand next to her."

My father's anger was all over his face and in every nerve of his body. Nobody defied him, least of all, his sons. He ruled his family with an iron fist, and he wasn't about to lose control of us now. "You walk away from that girl or I will make sure you lose everything, Mason. Your house, school, your degree, your money, Buchanan Industries...I'll take it all away! You'll be left with nothing but a whore wh-"

"Call Shane a whore or a nobody in front of me one more time, Dad, and see what happens," Aiden's voice cut through the room. I don't think I have ever felt so much love for my brother as I did in this moment where he's defending his sister; the woman I loved.

Dad's head shot over in Aiden's direction. "What? Are you guys all fucking her?"

I heard my mother's gasp, and as much as I wanted to fly across the desk and beat my father to death, I knew I had bigger issues to handle at the moment.

I twisted around just in time to step in front of Michael as Aiden and Gabriel did their best to restrain him. He was pointing at my father as we all held him back. "I'll fucking kill you, I swear to God!" he thundered. "Say one more thing about her and I will fucking kill you!"

"Michael!" I yelled, trying to draw his attention. It took a lot of manhandling and shouting, but he finally stepped away from the edge and focused on me. "I got this, Mike." I patted his chest, trying to snap him out of his emotions. "I got this, okay?" He gave me a small nod, but I noticed Aiden didn't leave his side and Gabe kept his arm around his shoulder.

Jesus Christ, Michael was going to kill someone one day.

I turned back to my father, and I noticed his pallor had whitened a bit. I'm not sure if that's the first time Michael's ever went after him, but like I said before, my father was no fool. He knew Michael was a tad unbalanced.

I got back to the issue at hand. "You can have it all. If it means giving up Shane, then I don't want any of it."

"You'd throw away your entire future for her?" he asked incredulously.

I laughed. "She is my future," I replied. "That's what you're refusing to see."

He lifted a brow and sneered, "Fine. Go be with her, then. I have three other sons wh-"

"Not exactly," Aiden interrupted.

My father turned to him, shock clear on his face, no matter how hard he was trying to conceal it. "And what does that mean?"

"It means where Mason goes, we go," Gabriel answered.

"It means if you cut off Mason, then you cut all of us off," Aiden clarified.

My father barked out a laugh, calling our bluffs. "Do you think I care?"

Michael's voice sounded like the crack of a whip. I knew he was still enraged. "I think you'll care when word gets out that all four Buchanan sons jumped ship," he said. "I think you'll care a lot, and I think your recent contracts will care when they start to wonder who the hell will run Buchanan Industries in the future, and what's so bad about BI that all four sons chose to be poor and start over, rather than work at BI. I'd think about that if I were you."

"You wouldn't dare," my father seethed, spittle flying from his mouth.

"Enough!" All five male Buchanan heads turned towards my mother, but she only had eyes for me. "Do you love this girl, Mason?"

"With every fiber of my being," I said, no hesitation, whatsoever.

She turned to my father and said, "I've been a neglectful mother, but...but I thought sons were supposed to be brought up by their fathers. Clearly, I was wrong."

"Natalie-"

"Shut up, Harold!" she snapped out, surprising the hell out of all of us. "If Mason wants to be with this girl, then he's going to be with her, and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it." She straightened her spine and looked down at my father, something I've never seen her do before. "You've seemed to have forgotten that you're not the only one who came into this marriage with money. And if I have to give up every cent I have, to ensure my sons have a successful future, I will." She walked towards my father and took my place in front of him, across his desk. "And I will gladly watch, as they build their own empire, while they tear yours apart."

We were all stunned speechless. None of us said a word as my mother turned her back on my father and walked out of his study. All these years we thought she didn't care, but maybe she was just as much a victim of Harold Buchanan's as we were.

"I guess The Queen has spoken," Gabriel chuckled dryly.

My father's look was sharp and definite, but it was no longer deadly. He lost, and he knew it. "Get out of my house," he fumed.

I was about to flip him off when my phone rang with a ringtone I had specifically assigned to Viola. I had gotten her number the next day after my first night with Shane in case of emergencies. I ignored my father and answered my phone. "Viola?"

"Oh, my god, Mason! Oh, God!"

The fear in her voice was turning my blood cold. "What's wrong? Where's Shane?"

She was crying, but through her sobs, she managed to get the story out. "I was talking to her on the phone, and then, I heard her scream," she cried. "I couldn't make out much because she dropped her phone, but I heard her say Branson's name and...oh, god. She was walking home from work, so I called the police and-"

"Where the fuck is she, Viola?!"

"She at County Memorial, Mason. He...he beat her up pre-"

I hung up on her and ran out of the house with Aiden, Michael, and Gabriel hot on my heels. Once we were all buckled in and I was tearing out of the driveway, Aiden asked, "What's happened, Mase?"

The words tearing out of my throat felt like shards of metal coming up. "Morgan attacked Shane on her way home from work. She's at the hospital." I was speeding down the road at such a reckless pace, I could only hope I didn't kill us all. "I'm going to fucking kill him!"

"Just worry about Shane," Michael said. "We'll take care of Morgan."

"She'll be fine, Mason," Aiden said, trying to calm me down. I didn't respond. I had nothing to say. My only concern was Shane. I had no doubt that Branson Morgan would be taken care of one way or another. At this point, he could only pray that Shane came out of this okay. If she didn't, I was going to go to prison for murder.

And I didn't care.
Chapter 25

Shane~

I had never felt more worthless as I did now as the officers were trying to convince me not to press charges against Branson Morgan.

He had attacked and almost raped me, but his last name meant something, and his family had money, so why don't I just be grateful that the cops got to me in time. And as a thank you for not pressing charges, maybe the family would set me up comfortably?

I wanted to throw up.

Yes, I was extremely grateful that Viola had called the police as soon as she realized what was happening. And, yes, I was extremely grateful that the police had shown up just in time to pull Branson off me before he could do anything life changing. But to suggest that I not press charges because his family was important...what kind of bullshit was that?

I was sitting up on the gurney, giving him the most disgusting look I could muster. "All I'm saying, ma'am, is that this would be very hard to prosecute," Officer Munfred explained-yet again.

"I don't see how, Officer," I retorted. "My friend heard the attack on the phone, so that's one witness. Two officers pulled up and actually witnessed the attack, having to pull Branson off me, so that's two more witnesses." I pointed to my face. "My injuries have been treated and documented, further evidence of the attack. I fail to see the complications of charging him and making the charges stick?"

He cleared his throat, and I had to give him points for honesty. "He's a Morgan, Ms. Slaughter-" His excuses were interrupted when the hospital curtain swung open and four very pissed off Buchanan men stormed in, along with a very worried Viola, and crowded the bed.

Before I could say a word, Mason's voiced went to cutting the officers to shreds. "And she's a Buchanan," he snarled. "And before you say another fucking word, I know exactly what you meant when we overheard you tell her that piece of shit was a Morgan. And so, I want you to think long and hard about which last name holds more influence in this town."

I didn't say a word as Viola's arm came around me and she cried into my shoulder. I probably should have tried to console her, but I couldn't turn away from Mason's showdown with the cops.

"But...but she said her last name was Slaughter," Officer Munfred stuttered.

"Right now, legally, it is," he answered. "But it will be Buchanan as soon as she heals from her injuries." My gasp wasn't the only one that rushed throughout the room. Viola's was also a contender for the gold.

"Where is Morgan right now?" Michael asked the officer.

Officer Peetle answered him. "He's in custody, but I imagine his family is in the process of bailing him out. The family lawyer was called as soon as he made his phone call."

My gaze never left Mason's as Michael was the beacon of calm, cool, and collected. "Okay, well, here's what's going to happen, Officers. My brother is in a highly emotional state right now and I'd hate for him to say some shit he can't take back involving murder and mayhem, so let me be frank here. You will charge Branson Morgan with..." he paused, and when I looked over at him, he was looking at me and waiting.

I knew what he was waiting for, and I knew it might push Mason over the edge, but I wasn't going to lie. "He, uhm...he hit me a...and...he ripped my clothes and tou...touched me. He was threatening to rape me as his hands..." My eyes found Mason's and I stopped talking. He looked like he was one more descriptive away from tearing the place apart.

Michael cleared his throat. "So, you're going to charge Branson Morgan with assault, sexual assault, and attempted rape."

Gabriel spoke next. "If you don't, we'll use every dime our family has to burn down this town, the police department being the first to go up in flames."

I tore my gaze from Mason's and saw the officers exchange a look. Officer Peetle cleared his throat and said, "Of course." He looked at me. "We'll be in touch, Ms. Slau...uh, Mrs. Buchanan."

Mrs. Buchanan

Christ, this was all too much by half.

The second the officers disappeared behind the curtain, Viola gasped. "Oh, Shane, babe, are you okay?" Her tears had stopped, but she still looked devastated.

I hugged her. "I'm fine, Vi. I look way worse than I feel, honestly."

Michael's hand clamped around my ankle. "You're still pretty, Pretty Girl."

I laughed. "You're such a horrible liar, Michael."

"How the hell can you tell them apart," Viola asked, shocked.

I looked over at her and smiled. "It's a secret."

Aiden scooted Viola out of the way and kissed the top of my head. "Glad to see you're okay, Sis." My stomach hollowed out at his endearment, but I didn't comment. I just nodded my head.

Gabriel flat out came in for a hug. "Never again, Shane. Never again."

I held onto him a second too long. While I appreciated them all being here, I needed to talk to Mason. I scanned their faces before I said, "Do you guys think you can give me a minute with Mason, please?" There were a couple of head nods, but no one said a word as they filed out to the other side of the curtain.

As soon as they left, Mason reached over and plucked me out of the bed. He wrapped his arms around me and held on as if he was never going to see me again. And I hugged him back even though my body hurt like hell.

After a few silent moments, he finally pulled back and looked at me. I thought he was going rant and rave and make threats about Branson, but he surprised me when he said, "I will never let you down ever again, Shane."

"Ma-"

He didn't let me speak. "I fucked up," he continued. "I fucked up and I will regret it for the rest of my life. You were right. I was a coward and nothing with you means more than everything without you." He cradled my face in his hands. "I'm so fucking sorry, Shane."

I started crying. "I'm sorry, too, Mason. I should have given you a chance to explain-"

"I'll tell you everything you want to know. I can explain about my dad an-"

I shook my head. "No...no, Mason. I..." I searched his eyes. "Do you love me?"

He huffed. "You're going to be Mrs. Mason Buchanan by the end of the week, Shane. So, yeah...yeah, I love you."

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "Oh, yeah?"

Mason smiled, and it warmed my heart. "I'm never going to give you space ever again, Shane."

"What about-"

"Let's just get you out of here and we can talk at home, okay?" I nodded and went into his arms.

Because they had already discharged me before the police came in to speak with me, I was able to leave without having to notify anyone. We met everyone in the waiting room, and it was hard to keep my eyes from misting over.

I knew Mason and I had a lot of things to discuss, and I wasn't too sure about my upcoming nuptials, but seeing Viola, Aiden, Michael, and Gabriel all stand up as we walked into the open space, I realized I wasn't alone anymore.

I finally had a family that chose me specifically.

And I realized I could finally let Adam and Maggie in. I realized I wanted to learn how to trust.

As soon as we approached them, Viola busted out with, "Are you seriously getting married next week?"

"No, we-"

"Yes, we are," Mason spoke over me. "As soon as her bruises can be hidden by makeup, we're getting married."

"Mason?" He couldn't be serious. We've only been together two weeks!

He looked down at me, and in front of anyone who could hear, he said, "I've been in love with you since I first saw you freshman year. I was stupid in thinking I needed to follow a plan before I could make you mine. Well, I'm done being stupid, Shane." The tears started again. "And you can love me back or not love me. It doesn't matter because I love you and I'll take you anyway I can get you, baby."

I threw my arms around his neck and jumped into his arms. "I love you, Mason," I whispered for only him. "I love you, so much."

"Shane Buchanan. It sounds perfect," Viola announced.

We were all far from perfect, but that was okay. I had my best friend, my soon-to-be husband, and my brothers in my life now, and that was just perfect enough for me. And when I had the chance, I was going to call Adam and Maggie and, hopefully, I'd have real parents, too.

I turned away from Mason and I smiled as I scanned everyone's faces. "I love you, all, and I'm so glad you guys never gave me a choice to have you in my life." They each gave me a hug and whispered words of love and affection.

When I found myself back in Mason's arms, I knew it was where I belonged and where I was always meant to be.
Epilogue

Shane – (Two Years Later)~

My head jerked up at the sound of a heavy envelope being dropped on my desk. I peered up at Mason and asked, "What's this?"

"Open it," Mason instructed, instead of answering. We've been married two years, and he was still as demanding as he ever was. But shadowing his father to take over Buchanan Industries in the near future couldn't be easy.

I opened the envelope and documents as thick as my arm slid out. Mason took a seat on the edge of my desk as I scanned the papers. "Mason, what in the hell is this?"

"The Morgan Corporation is now yours, Shane."

I looked up at him, my eyes as wide as saucers. "What?" I screeched.

"BI ran it to the ground, until they had to sell it to us," he explained. "Now, it's yours."

"Mine?" I had gotten a job with a small accounting firm shortly after we had graduated, but the job only lasted a year. While I wanted nothing to do with Buchanan Industries, Mason had insisted on me working for him because he didn't like going all day without seeing me. It was ridiculous, but because I missed Mason terribly because of his long days of learning the ropes, I had caved. I had gone to work for their accounting department, which Aiden was expected head up soon.

"Yeah, yours."

"But...how? Why?" I asked.

"Even though Branson got the book thrown at him, it still wasn't life in prison," he said. "I was never okay with that. So, I made sure that, whenever he gets out, he has nothing to come home to."

The implications of what he was saying weren't lost on me. "But, Mason...that means you destroyed his entire family's livelihood and legacy." The idea was shocking. "You don't think that's a little harsh? He didn't actually rape me, you know."

Mason's jaw clenched as he planted his hands on my desk and lean into me. "I don't give a fuck if he had only moved one hair on your head out of place, Shane. I want the sonofabitch dead. So, no, by comparison, I don't think this is harsh at all."

"Mason, what am I supposed to do with this?" I should be chastising him about the severity of his mental issues, but his gesture was kind of sweet in that you're-crazy-but-I-know-you-mean-well sort of way.

He stood tall again and shrugged a shoulder. "You can do whatever you want with it. Take over the business, sell it off, or let it rot into the ground," he answered. "I really don't care."

I leaned back in my chair and regarded him. "You know, most husbands just give their wives flowers or candy," I grimaced.

Mason smirked. "Most husbands don't know how lucky they are to have a wife who's you."

I stood up out of my chair and walked over to my husband. His arms were already opening for me and I glided into his embrace the same way I've been doing for the last two years.

Harold Buchanan had crumbled under the threat of his sons and the backing of their mother, so Mason was able to continue school, and when he had gotten his degree, he had gone to work for his father immediately. It hadn't taken much for Mason to incorporate himself into the routine of things since his father had been training his sons in the business since they were little boys.

Harold and I didn't interact often, but when we did, he was cordial, if a little reserved. But I didn't mind. He was a horrible man who raised his sons under the umbrella of abuse and intimidation; I didn't really care if he never spoke another word to me ever again.

Mason's arms tightened around me. "I love you, Shane."

My arms tightened around him. "I know you do, Mason. I love you, too. So much." He still hasn't forgiven himself for the attack, and I wasn't sure if he ever would, but I would not let him make us live in the darkness of that time in our lives.

Our lives have been two years of unparalleled love and explosive sex, and that's where I wanted to be. "What would you say if I told you to go lock the door?"

"I'd say it's already locked, baby."

I pulled back and looked up at his handsome face. I lifted the corner of my lip. "Hmm, pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"

He smiled. "When it comes to you, I've never been more sure," he replied, his face full of love.

I smiled back as my hands started working on the buttons of his suit jacket, knowing I was going to spend the rest of my life being loved by this man.

The End.
Playlist

Mason & Shane

Tattoo – Jordan Sparks

Hysteria – Def Leppard

I knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift

Nobody's Fool – Cinderella

I'm A Loser – Three Doors Down

Never – Heart
About the Author

M.E. Clayton works full-time and writes as a hobby. She is an avid reader and, with much self-doubt, but more positive feedback and encouragement from her friends and family, she took a chance at writing, and the Seven Deadly Sins Series was born. Writing is a hobby she is now very passionate about. When she's not working, writing, or reading, she is spending time with her family or friends. If you care to learn more, you can read about her by visiting the following:

Smashwords Interview at:

https://www.smashwords.com/interview/MonClayton

Bookbub Author Page at:

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-e-clayton

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/MEClayton
Other Books

Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by M.E. Clayton:

The Seven Deadly Sins Series (In Order)

Catching Avery (Avery & Nicholas)

Chasing Quinn (Quinn & Chase)

Claiming Isabella (Isabella & Julian)

Conquering Kam (Kamala & Kane)

Capturing Happiness

The Buchanan Brothers Series (In Order)

If You Could Only See (Mason & Shane)

If You Could Only Imagine (Aiden & Denise)

If You Could Only Feel (Gabriel & Justice)

If You Could Only Believe (Michael & Sophia)

If You Could Only Dream

The How To: Modern Day Woman's Guide Series (In Order)

How to Stay Out of Prison; A Modern-Day Woman's Guide (Lyrical & Nixon)

How to Keep Your Job; A Modern-Day Woman's Guide (Alice & Lincoln)

How to Maintain Your Sanity; A Modern-Day Woman's Guide (Rena & Jackson)

The Enemy Series (In Order)

Facing the Enemy (Ramsey & Emerson)

Engaging the Enemy (Roselyn & Liam)

Battling the Enemy (Deke & Delaney)

Provoking the Enemy (Ava & Ace)

Loving the Enemy

The Enemy Duet (In Order)

In Enemy Territory (Fiona & Damien)

On Enemy Ground (Victoria & William)

The Holy Trinity Series (In Order)

The Holy Ghost (Phoenix & Francesca)

The Son (Ciro & Roberta)

The Father (Luca & Remy)

The Redemption (Nico & Mia)

The Vatican (Francisco Phoenix Benetti & Luca Saveria Fiore)

The Eastwood Series (In Order)

Samson (Samson & Mackenzie)

Ford (Ford & Amelia)

Raiden (Raiden & Charlie)

Duke (Duke & Willow)

Alistair (Alistair & Rory)

The Pieces Series (In Order)

Our Broken Pieces (Mystic & Gage)

Our Cracked Pieces (Rowan & Lorcan)

Our Shattered Pieces (Molly & Grayson)

Standalone

Unintentional

Purgatory, Inc.

My Big, Huge Mistake

An Unexpected Life

The Heavier The Chains...

Real Shadows

You Again
Contact Me

I really appreciate you reading my book and I would love to hear from you! Now, unfortunately, because I do have a full-time job, and a family I love spending time with, at this time, I'm afraid it would be very hard for me to maintain a multitude of social media sites. However, for the sites I do participate in, here are my social media coordinates:

Favorite my Smashwords Author Page:

https://www.smashwords.com/interview/MonClayton

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