The Summer Getaway: A Novel(110)
“Of course, but what about letting Mason tell him? He spent two years as a drill sergeant. I’m pretty sure he can handle Kip.”
Harlow nodded. “If you think he wouldn’t mind. I don’t want to see Kip again. I was so wrong.”
Tears trickled down her face. Robyn ached for her and was furious with Kip. Emotion on emotion, she thought, wondering how they would all get through this. She’d felt that Harlow and Kip were moving too fast and that they should wait on getting married, but she hadn’t wanted it to end like this.
“You believed what he told you,” she said. “You trusted him, and he betrayed you.”
“I keep wondering how much else he’s hiding,” she admitted. “Now I’m doubly glad I’m moving to Key West. I don’t have to worry about running into him.”
Robyn texted Mason, asking him to come to Lillian’s office.
Less than a minute later, he was striding toward them, his expression quizzical.
“What’s up?”
Robyn looked at Harlow, who stood and squared her shoulders.
“Kip and I broke up. He wasn’t happy that I wanted to end the engagement, and he kind of lost it when I told him I was moving to Key West.” She swallowed. “He raised his hand and I thought he was going to hit me.”
Nothing about Mason changed. Not his body language or his expression. Robyn marveled at his self-control.
“He was going to go home tomorrow,” Harlow continued. “But I want him to leave now. I’m scared of him, and I don’t want him in the house.” She twisted her hands together. “I know I should be the one to tell him, but I can’t.” She looked at the ground, then back at Mason. “Mom suggested that maybe you—”
Mason nodded. “Of course. Give me thirty minutes. I won’t leave him alone until he drives away. Do you want me to beat him up first? I can do a little damage or a lot. Up to you.” One shoulder rose and lowered. “It’s not much of a challenge. Kip won’t know how to fight back.”
Harlow looked at her, then back at Mason. Robyn had a feeling she appeared as stunned as her daughter. Not just at the offer, but at the matter-of-fact way he made it and his assessment the situation.
“Getting him out of the house is enough for now,” Harlow murmured. “But thank you.”
Mason’s gaze sharpened. “Did he hit you, Harlow?”
“No. I’m not lying.”
“Victims often don’t want to get—”
“I’m not a victim,” Harlow said, interrupting him. “Not ever.”
Mason smiled. “No, you’re not.”
He left. Harlow returned to the sofa and leaned against Robyn.
“This has been a very sucky week.”
“It has. I’m sorry about Kip.”
“Me, too.”
Robyn put her arm around her daughter and kissed the top of her head. “I do love you, and I’m very proud of you. Austin and I will be going back home in a few days. I need to get the house ready to sell, and he wants to pack up his stuff. How about if the three of us take a couple of days to drive down to Key West and help you find a place?”
Harlow straightened and looked at her. “I appreciate that, Mom. I want to say yes, but I think I need to do this on my own.”
Robyn felt a rush of pride. “I’ll be around if you need me.”
Her daughter smiled. “I know. Just like always.”
* * *
The first time Mason had visited Gregory’s law office, he’d been more concerned about what the attorney was saying than interested in the surroundings. Now, as he walked in for the reading of the will, he found himself aware of the wood paneled walls, the elegant fixtures and the quiet air of wealth and security.
He’d driven over with Robyn and her kids. Austin and Harlow looked as nervous as he felt. They were shown into a large conference room with a table for thirty and a view of a walled courtyard filled with stone benches and flowering trees.
Salvia was already there, as were several people Mason didn’t know. He supposed some of them represented charities Lillian had supported over the years. Austin and Harlow sat on either side of their mother, and Mason settled across from them.
Since discovering the value of the house, he’d done his best not to think about his inheritance. It was too much for a guy like him to believe was real, and as it came at the price of losing someone he’d grown to love, he was fine not claiming any of it for decades. But now, waiting for Gregory to join them, Mason found himself wondering how much of this was real.
Had Lillian really left him a house he would sell for twelve-point-seven million dollars? No one should have that much money. It bordered on obscene. All he wanted was a nice little house and his military pension. That was plenty for him. Only what if it wasn’t just him?
His gaze drifted to Robyn. She was so damned beautiful. He still couldn’t believe she was willing to sleep with him and, in fact, seemed to enjoy his company. He knew every inch of her body and what her face looked like when she came. He knew what made her laugh, her favorite wines and that she loved deeply, from the soul.
Robyn deserved more than a little house and a guy with a military pension—not that he was assuming anything. Still, he also knew that she wouldn’t care what any man brought to the table financially. She couldn’t be swayed by money or power—she was interested in the essence of a person.