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Mark’s offer does little to comfort me, instead conjuring more disturbing images of what might be in store for us. “Can you tell me anything else?” I ask.
"There's not much, but he’s been talking to some of the guys from the old unit. He seems... I don't know, obsessed? Like he's got his mind set on something and he can't let it go."
A knot forms in my stomach. “It's been so long. It's strange that he would be doing all this now.”
“Yeah, well, he must have caught wind that you were going back home or something. Decided now’s the time to… I don’t know…" Mark trails off, leaving the unsaid words hanging between us.
"Yeah, I get it. Thanks for letting me know, Mark. Seriously, this is helpful."
"Anything you need, just say the word." Mark replies, his voice firm with the unspoken bond of old comrades.
"Will do. Take care, Mark," I conclude, my mind racing as I end the call.
As I turn around, my heart skips a beat. Natalie stands in the doorway, my t-shirt draped loosely over her smaller, feminine frame. "Who was that?” she asks casually, stepping closer.
I hesitate, the details of my past with Mason suddenly feeling too heavy, too dark to bring into this moment. But I owe her the truth, especially now. "That was an old military friend, Mark. We were talking about the situation with the Langford, and we think it might be connected to someone we served with—Mason."
Nat folds her arms around herself. "Why would this Mason guy want to hurt you? What’s going on?"
I sigh, knowing this conversation is necessary, yet dreading it all the same. “Remember what I told you about that incident in the military, the one where I was injured?”
Natalie nods, her mouth pulled into a thin line. I lean back against the wall for support before I continue.
“Well, that operation—it was Mason's operation. I can't disclose the details, but basically, there was a major misstep in protocol during that mission. Nobody died, but it did lead to my being injured, along with a few others. It was really serious. All the blame landed on Mason.”
Natalie listens intently, her eyes never leaving mine. “So why would he be angry at you?"
"It’s complicated,” I try to explain, struggling to find the right words without revealing anything classified. “I was part of the investigation after, since I was there. Based on the evidence, I genuinely believed he was at fault. I couldn’t defend him, not when everything pointed to his negligence. He was pissed that I didn't back him up, but I couldn’t lie. It went against everything I stood for."
Her features soften as she digests the information, understanding the difficult position I was in. "So he thinks you betrayed him?"
"It seems that way. I knew he took it personally.” I shake my head, already feeling drained. “I guess he’s still holding onto that grudge."
Natalie steps forward, her hand finding mine, her touch a grounding reassurance. "That's a heavy burden to carry. You did what you thought was right. You can’t blame yourself for his actions now."
I nod, grateful for her support, but still unsettled by the potential threat Mason poses—not just to me, but to her and anyone close to me. "I know. Before joining the military, Mason was involved with some shady people. I was hoping that serving had helped set him on a better path, but who knows where he actually ended up. I’m not sure what he’s capable of now. We need to be careful."
"We will be," Natalie assures me, squeezing my hand. "We’ll handle this together, okay?"
After sharing a brief, reassuring kiss, I remember that I need to pick up Aria from her friend's house before Nat and I are due at work. As I mention this, Natalie's eyes light up with a genuine warmth. "I'd like to come with you," she says, "I really like Aria, and I'd love to get to know her more. If that’s okay."
Her statement catches me slightly off guard, and I don’t miss the vulnerability in it. The image it conjures—Natalie, Aria, and me, something like a family—is intensely domestic, and it stirs a mix of emotions within me. Part of me yearns for that kind of normalcy, the simple pleasure of shared afternoons and mutual affection. Yet, another part recoils, wary of the risk, of the danger posed by their proximity to me.
Despite my reservations, I nod in agreement, aware of how much Aria enjoys Natalie's company. “Of course. Aria will be thrilled to see you," I say, holding onto what little shred of optimism I can grasp.
We head out to the car, and as we drive, I can't help but bring up the topic of Nat's safety again. The threats that have been circling me keep Nat and Aria at the forefront of my mind. I outline some of the precautions I've been considering, emphasizing the steps I'm planning to take to ensure everyone's safety.
Natalie listens for a while, but then her stubborn streak emerges. "Julian, you're focusing a lot on keeping us safe, which I appreciate, but you need to think about your own safety too. You can't protect us if you're not safe."
Her concern is touching, but it also feeds into my instinct to protect, to be the one who shields others from harm. "I know you're worried about me, Nat, but I can handle myself. It's you and Aria I worry about."
"It’s you Mason wants," she insists, her voice firm. "You can't just brush that off. And besides, we're in this together, remember? That means looking out for each other, not just you looking out for us."
Her words make sense, and deep down, I know she's right. Still, the urge to ensure her safety over my own is overwhelming; a protective instinct that has always guided me but has now become a point of contention between us more than once.
We lapse into silence for the remainder of the drive.
When we arrive to pick up Aria, the sight of my daughter running towards the car with a bright, carefree smile momentarily lifts the weight from my shoulders. Her eyes light up as she spots Natalie in the front seat, and she hops into the car, her energy infectious as she chatters about the previous night with her friend.
