Hit on you
Hera POV
My calls go through but Mason shows no signs of answering.
Left with no choice,I keep my pace, following him closely.
The highway stretches out like eternity, dark and empty. The night seems to be swallowing everything, except my pain.
My hands are sweaty on the wheel, my heart pounding as I keep my eyes on Mason’s bike.
The tears I was trying to keep at bay earlier now keep blurring my vision and I hate it that I am feeling this way.
I blink them away, trying to focus. He bypasses the road that heads to his residence and takes a turn to the docks.
Then I remember a confession he made one day. The docks are his escape zone. That place you go when you feel overwhelmed or just want to think without interference.
I keep seeing his face, the hurt in his eyes, the way he looked at me like I was a disappointment .
I’ve always been the one to dive into trouble, to take risks, but this time I broke something I don’t know how to fix.
Mason’s is more than my lover,he is my family, and I betrayed him. The guilt is like a weight on my chest, making it hard for me to breathe.
My phone buzzes on the passenger seat, and I glance at it, hoping it’s Mason. It’s not—its another message from my contact
“Kade’s crew near the docks. Watch your back.” My stomach drops. The docks are too close to where I think Mason’s headed. If he’s going there, he’s in danger, and it’s my fault for pushing him away.
I press the gas harder, the engine roaring as I speed through the empty roads. The docks tend to be deserted at this time of the night. Businesses here close when the sun takes a dip into the horizon, leaving it deserted.
Mason is ahead of me,speeding as if trying to shake me off. When I spot an animal crawling past the road,I am forced to apply emergency brakes,the car skidding to a stop inches away from the terrified little opossum. I turn the lights off and only then does the animal skip away, clearing the road.
I curse when I realize that in those seconds of stopping,I have lost Mason.
I keep driving though and in no time,I arrive at the docks.
I spot his Phantom parked near a warehouse, its chrome glinting under a streetlamp. My heart leaps with relief, but it’s gone fast. The docks are too quiet, the air heavy with the promise of trouble. I park my car, my hands shaking as I grab my gun. The smell of salt and rust fills my nose, the river just beyond the warehouses, its dark water lapping against the docks.
“Mason?” I call softly, my voice trembling. No answer. I move toward the warehouse, my boots quiet on the cracked pavement. The door is open a crack and darkness spilling out. My heart’s in my throat as I push it open and step inside.
The warehouse is huge and full of shadows. Crates are stacked high, the air thick with dust.
My eyes adjust to the dim light from broken windows, and I see him—Mason, leaning against a crate, his head down, hands in his pockets. He doesn’t move as I get closer, but I know he hears me. My chest aches with how much I’ve hurt him.
“Mason,” I say, my voice soft, breaking. “We need to talk.”
He doesn’t look up, but his voice is cold, like ice. “You had your chance, Hera. You chose to lie.”
Tears spill down my cheeks, but I swallow hard, trying to keep it together. I can't afford to show weakness,not now.
“I know I messed up,” I say, my voice raw.
“I took the hit without knowing it was you. When I found out, I couldn’t do it. I’ve been chasing leads, digging into Kade, trying to stop this. I should’ve told you. I’m so sorry.”
He finally looks at me, his eyes dark, full of pain. “You took a job to kill me. That's okay because that's what you guys do but why keep the truth from me,Hera. You betrayed the trust between us or did you not stop to think how I would take it?” He snaps.
“I’d never meant to hurt you, believe me. I’ve been trying to protect you. I thought I could handle it without you getting hurt.”
He shakes his head, his jaw tight. “You and Zero decided I couldn’t handle the truth. Like I’m some kid who needs protecting.” His voice cracks, and I see tears in his eyes, the hurt I caused. “I thought we were family, Hera.”
“We are,” I say, crying now. “I messed up, but I’m here now. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right. We’ll find Kade, find the traitor, together.”
“ That's not even the problem…”Mason starts,but I cut him off before he can say whatever he wants to say.
“ I made a mistake because I was worried about you. If you were in my shoes you would have done the same thing. This is not a question about trust or anything. It is about protecting the people we love. Keeping them out of danger and letting them walk free without having to worry about someone going after them.” I counter, voice raised.
For a second, I think he might listen. His eyes soften, just a little, like he wants to believe me. But then his face hardens again. “I need time,” he says, turning away. “I can’t do this right now.”
“Mason, wait,” I say, my voice desperate. “It’s not safe. Kade’s crew is—”
A sound cuts me off—engines, low and rumbling, getting closer. My heart stops. I grab Mason’s arm, pulling him behind a crate as headlights sweep across the warehouse windows. Tires crunch on the gravel outside, and voices;low and sharp,carry through the night.
“They’re here,” I whisper, my voice trembling with fear. Mason’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the anger’s gone, replaced by focus. He pulls a knife from his boot, and I draw my gun, my hands shaking but steady enough to aim.
The warehouse door creaks open, footsteps echoing inside. A voice—gruff, familiar—cuts through the dark. “Spread out. They’re here.”
It’s Jace, the scarred guy from Chinatown. My heart’s pounding so hard I can barely breathe. We’re trapped, outnumbered, and Mason’s still looking at me like he’s not sure he can trust me. But there’s no time for that now. Kade’s crew is closing in, and if we don’t fight, we’re dead.
“Stay hidden,I will distract them. When you get a chance, leave here without looking back.” I instruct Mason.
He gives me a look of 'have you lost your mind?’
“They are after you. There's a chance for me to get out of here unscathed.” I try to reason with him. Mason doesn't seem to agree with anything I say.
“You think I am going to leave you here all by yourself fighting these men to save my ass? What do you take me for,Hera?”Mason whispers back, looking offended.
“I swore to protect you and I am going to do that even at the expense of my life.” He adds, that familiar look back in his face.
I find myself smiling and nod in agreement.
“Okay. Then we will fight this together. It's either we live together or die together.” I announce and he smiles at me,agreeing to my proposal.