Free Wicked Nights by Lexie Davis Page B

made her way down the hall and saw tall flames covering most of the living room and kitchen areas. She found a jacket from the hall closet and made her way outside, the fresh air hitting her like a two-ton Mack truck.
    She took a few deep breaths as she watched her house burn. Everything she had went up in flames. Her phone rang and she saw Mason’s name pop up on the screen. Of course he’d call. After she’d refused to allow some prospect guys from the club linger outside her house, she could only imagine how he knew about this.
    “You okay?”
    “No, not really.”
    He blew out a pent-up breath. “I’m on my way.”
    She hung up and glanced to the side when she heard the sirens getting closer. She didn’t think she really needed protection in her own home, but evidently she did. She didn’t want his protection, though. She didn’t want to be caught up in this mess with him playing with her feelings either.
    The fire truck parked in her yard and the men rushed out to do their job. Addison spoke with the captain and he informed her that they’d do the best they could to save the rest of her house. She sat with her jacket over her legs, part of the bandage covering her thigh showing from her sleep boxers. It was a perfect reminder of who she was dealing with. She knew the Skulls were behind this. It only made it Mason’s true reason for being in her life clearer, regardless of her feelings about it.
    His truck pulled into her drive moments later and he parked off to the side, out of the way. She didn’t even look up at him when he came to her then sat beside her.
    “I told you that you couldn’t control everyone.” Addison stared at the flames licking up the walls of her living room. “They weren’t kidding that the next time would be worse.”
    He brushed his fingers along her spine. “You’re going on lockdown with me.”
    She glanced over at him. “Do you not get that I’ve just lost everything? I don’t even want to be around you right now, much less on ‘lockdown’ with you.”
    He held her gaze with a pointed stare. “The more you’re away from me, the more they will attack you. I told you that I’d protect you if you’ll fucking let me. I can’t protect you when you get huffy and throw a bitch fit, storming out of my house in the middle of the fucking night.”
    “I don’t want to do this right now.”
    “Too bad.” He sighed. “I’ve already got Lila shopping for you again. You’re staying with me at my place.”
    She shook her head. “No. The more I’m with you, the more I’m involved in this war you’ve got going on. No. I don’t want to be around you. I don’t want to be with you.”
    “You were involved the first fucking moment you took my case. I’m sorry they’re targeting you, but you’re mine, and I protect what’s mine. You don’t have an option anymore.”
    “I’m not yours.” She shook her head. “Nowhere close.”
    “You are.” He pulled his jacket off and wrapped it around her arms. “You’re just mad at me right now, but you’ll get over it. You’ll work through your hissy fit and reason will eventually enter your brain. Then you’ll see that I’m right and you do need me to protect you.”
    She shook her head, furious at the whole situation. Her heart ached at the thought of losing everything she had. It ached even more at the thought of moving in with someone she had mixed feelings about. Mason’s jacket smelt like him, and the warmth from his body comforted her. Tampa usually had the good weather, but it was one of those rare nights, usually leading to a storm, when the temperature dropped to lower degrees. She didn’t plan on sitting outside in her little tank top and boxer shorts.
    “Do you even know why I’m mad at you?”
    He chuckled. “Yeah, Addy. I’m the one ruining your life in more ways than one.”
    She shook her head. “Don’t play the martyr. There is a big fucking problem known as your rival MC and you’re not doing