Chapter 8 - WHAT FEAR MAKES OF US
Pike wanted control of Meridian shares Victor believed Arthur had cheated him out of decades earlier.
He wanted Mason to sign a transfer.
In exchange, Dorcas lived.
The meeting would happen at Blackwell's original shipping terminal.
Mason told federal agents everything.
This time, he did not try to control the situation alone.
That mattered.
Dorcas, meanwhile, sat bound inside an office overlooking the old terminal.
Pike paced.
“You changed him.”
“No.”
She tested the rope around her wrists.
“He changed himself.”
“He's weak.”
“You kidnapped a cook because you're mad about your daddy. Maybe don't lecture people about weakness.”
Pike struck the desk.
Dorcas did not flinch.
That infuriated him.
“You aren't afraid?”
“Of course I am.”
“Doesn't look like it.”
“Courage isn't lack of fear.”
She smiled.
“It's deciding fear doesn't get to make your choices.”
Those words would later save Mason.
He arrived with the documents.
Pike dragged Dorcas onto the loading platform.
“Sign.”
Mason looked at her.
Bruised cheek.
Bound hands.
Alive.
He felt the old instinct.
Control.
Destroy.
Punish.
Then Dorcas shook her head.
Not because she wanted him to refuse.
Because she knew that look.
Don't become what they expect.
Mason signed.
Pike stared.
“You're giving it up?”
“It's money.”
“You built your whole life around it.”
“No.”
Mason looked at Dorcas.
“I hid inside it.”
Pike's expression changed.
His entire plan depended on Mason valuing power above everything.
He had miscalculated.
Police sirens approached.
Pike grabbed Dorcas.
Mason stepped forward.
“You'll never get away.”
“Then neither will she.”
He pulled Dorcas toward the edge.
Mason stopped.
“Graham.”
“What?”
“You win.”
Pike blinked.
Mason lowered his hands.
“I won't fight you.”
Dorcas understood.
Mason was giving him no anger to use.
No resistance.
No excuse.
Pike's attention shifted.
One second.
Dorcas drove her heel into his foot and twisted free.
Agents rushed the platform.
Pike was arrested.
Mason reached Dorcas.
He didn't ask whether the documents were safe.
Didn't ask about the company.
He simply held her.
“You came.”
“Always.”
“You signed everything.”
“I'd sign away every dollar.”
Dorcas looked at him.
“Don't get ridiculous. I like the kitchen.”
He laughed while crying.
She kissed him.
May you like
Behind them, the sun rose over the harbor.
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