Page 19 of Not Another Dark Romance

“Eggs.” He points at them dramatically. “Since when do you eat a real meal for breakfast? You’re totally trying to impress someone.”

Fuck. “I could be using them to make other things,” I argue.

“Sure.” He laughs. “Did you take up baking in your spare time between your two jobs?”

“I could have.”

“Okaaay. Well, if you’re being this weird about it, you must really like her, so I hope things work out. I won’t jinx it by making you talk about it too early, but I want to meet her if they do.”

“Yeah, sure.” I shake my head and agree because it’s easier than anything else at this point. Honestly though, Grant thinking I’m seeing someone new is probably a great excuse for why I’m acting weird. Now if he tries to come over or asks me to hang out I can say I’m with this mystery girl, so it’s kind of genius.

I have no idea what food Mason will want beyond his breakfast order, but at least I know he isn’t a vegan. Since Grant already thinks I’m shopping for two, I don’t bother pretending like it’s all for me anymore. I wish I knew what else Mason liked, but since I don’t, I load up on snacks and realize just how many options there are. How the hell do I know if he likes smooth or crunchy peanut butter? Fuck it, I’ll get both. The amount I have in my cart is probably unnecessary. I’m going to kill him soon anyway. I have to. That’s what I should be worried about—not making sure he enjoys the food I give him.

I want to get Pete more food too, but Grant would definitely try to come over if he knew I had a dog at my house, so I’ll have to order that or make another stop later.

“You still good to come by the brewery before your shift Saturday?” Grant asks while we’re waiting in line to check out. “We finally got in the signs you designed, and they look great. It’s all coming together.”

“Oh really? Are the colors bold enough in the logo?” For a moment, I forget about everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, and it’s like I’m myself again for the first time today—just a normal guy excited to be opening a business with his best friend, only worried about the brand I helped design and the marketing campaigns we’ve been running for months in anticipation of its launch.

His smile lights up his face the same way it does anytime he talks about the brewery. “Colors are great! I know we still have a few weeks before we open, but it’s finally feeling real. I’m so happy we’re actually doing it. Thanks for letting me convince you to come along to see this dream through with me.”

Just like that, my gut sinks as reality comes crashing back into me.

There’s a man tied up in my basement. A man who has the power to not only ruin my future, but the future of my best friends as well. If he turns me in, it’ll be all over the news. Canyon Brewery will be ruined before it even has a chance to open. They’ve put everything into starting this company, and if word gets out that a kidnapping potential murderer was an owner, they’ll never recover.

I have to kill Mason.

It’s more than just my future I’m risking if I don’t. But that also means I have to be so careful with how I do it. I absolutely can’t get caught.

My next day off isn’t until Tuesday, and I don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to myself by calling out of work, so it looks like Mason is going to be with me for five more days. By then, I’ll have a plan, and I can deal with him properly.

For now, I need to figure out his bathroom situation.

I stop at the hardware store on my way home and make it back with two hours before I need to leave for my shift, but even that doesn’t feel like enough time. I quickly throw together some sandwiches, and it takes a couple of trips to bring all my supplies into the basement.

“What the fuck is that?” Mason asks, eyeing the large wood board I got to cover the window.

“Your new curtain.” I take out my new hammer drill and masonry drill bits and get to work drilling the wood over the window.

“And he’s good with tools? Be still my beating heart,” Mason comments in a swoony voice, maybe to his dog? I don’t know, it didn’t seem like he was actually talking to me. “Take off your shirt next time and it’ll be even better.”

I wish I could ignore his comments, but I feel my cheeks heat a bit. I can’t help it. I turn to him with a questioning look and search his face for any sign that he’s scared or even worried. But he’s smirking, looking perfectly content in his restraints. He really does seem like he’s enjoying this.

So not how I would be reacting in his shoes.

I don’t respond to him, mostly because I have no idea how to. Should I focus on making the last few days of his life good? Give him what he wants and fuck his face? A mouth is a mouth… Wait. What the fuck am I thinking? I’ve never been into guys, so that’s a crazy thought.

I’ve also never met anyone like Mason. Maybe his delusion is rubbing off on me.

I shake the thought free and finish attaching the board over the window so there’s no way he can open it or break it to escape. It also eliminates any natural light down here, so he won’t know how much time is passing. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing yet.

“If you’re done with your project, does that mean I get to pee again?”

I groan, even though I knew it was coming. “If I handcuff you in front of your body, you should be able to use both hands to piss and eat, but I can’t leave you alone like that. I actually got you an air mattress so you can stay on that instead of the chair. I’ll get that set up while you eat, but I need to go to work soon, so be quick.”

“How thoughtful of you. I love the way you keep taking care of me.”

“Whatever,” I murmur as I unlock one side of his handcuffs and hold that wrist while I maneuver his arms in front of his body and relock it. Then I help him stand, moving the bucket in front of him so he can pee.