Chapter Twenty-Two – Cassia
Cassia stood frozen near the kitchen doorway, her stomach in knots, barely able to believe what she had overheard.
How dare he!
The audacity of Dante to show up here—on the night of their restaurant’s opening, no less—was one thing. But to try to manipulate Kris made her blood boil.
Who the hell does he think he is?
Her fists clenched at her sides as she watched Dante return to his table, smoothly sliding into his seat next to the elegant food critic, who seemed oblivious to his scheming. How could he sit there laughing, drinking Thornberg wine, eating their fine food, all while plotting their downfall in the most callous way?
How could he sit there, carefree and charming, as if he hadn’t just threatened everything she and Kris had worked so hard to build? The way he could switch between faces so effortlessly sickened her.
How could she ever have been in love with this man? How could she ever have believed he was her future? She’d been so blind!
Cassia bit her bottom lip, swallowing down a wave of bitter anger that threatened to choke her. Her gaze swept around the softly lit restaurant, where Kris’s family moved between the tables, talking to their guests. Guests who were smiling and savoring dishes she’d poured hours into perfecting alongside the chef. Everyone was relaxed, enjoying themselves, completely unaware of the poisonous threat Dante had brought with him.
A threat aimed at her, aimed at Kris.
No, she corrected herself bitterly. A threat aimed at destroying not only their dreams of opening the restaurant but also his family’s legacy. The Thornbergs had put their hearts, souls, and livelihoods into this vineyard, this restaurant—and Dante thought nothing of tearing it down, just to win her back.
He’d almost ruined her life once; there was no way in hell she’d let him do it again.
She watched, her pulse quickening, as Dante casually snapped a photo of his food, no doubt preparing to post some arrogant, veiled critique. He was a repulsive excuse for a man.
But as he raised his phone, inspiration sparked inside her.
An idea—a perfect trap.
She turned sharply and walked into the kitchen, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The chef glanced up, brow furrowing. “Cassia, everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine,” she lied smoothly, forcing herself to smile. “You’ve got everything under control?”
“Of course,” Manfred said confidently. “Everything’s going great. Relax.”
She managed a nod, backing away just as Kris stepped into the kitchen, concern darkening his face. She felt a sudden ache of tenderness for this man—this incredible man who’d shown her the meaning of true love, of trust. His eyes searched hers deeply, clearly troubled, yet he said nothing.
Protecting her. Kris was willing to sacrifice his family’s dream to shield her from Dante’s manipulations. Love swelled in her chest, fierce and certain, sharpening her resolve.
She would protect Kris—and this restaurant—in return.
Cassia straightened her shoulders and grabbed the plates designated for Dante’s table. With every confident step forward, her heartbeat steadied. She wore a serene smile on her face, mirroring the one she had perfected during countless dinners with Dante, back when she’d thought he was her future.
“Cassia,” Dante said, voice silken and overly familiar as she placed the dishes down on the table. His eyes drifted lazily down her body, shamelessly possessive. “It’s wonderful to see you. Perhaps we can talk properly later?”
She let her smile widen. “It would be good to catch up.”
He leaned back, smug satisfaction written all over his face. “I’ll look forward to it.”
Without another word, she walked away, feeling his gaze trailing her as she headed deliberately toward the cloakroom. She knew Dante wouldn’t resist the bait for long.
Sure enough, seconds later, footsteps followed behind her, echoing softly across the polished wooden floor. Cassia paused, pretending to adjust the menus stacked neatly beside the coats.
“What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Dante drawled, approaching her with the practiced swagger she once found charming. Now it only filled her with disgust.
Cassia turned slowly, eyes cool and calm. “Working,” she replied evenly. “Building a life.”
Dante laughed condescendingly, shaking his head with mock pity. “This isn’t a life, Cassia. You’re living in the back of beyond. You belong with me—in the city, where real things happen.”
She lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m happy here. Truly happy for the first time in my life.”
A shadow passed over Dante’s handsome features, and his eyes darkened dangerously. “We were happy.”
Cassia shook her head. “Not like this.”
He stepped forward, his voice lowering possessively. “You belong with me , Cassia. Not here.”
“You’re wrong,” she whispered, her voice unwavering.
Dante sneered, leaning in so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “You don’t know what’s good for you. That’s why I’m here. Watching out for you. You’re lucky you have me.”
Cassia snorted sharply, her anger surging again. “You’re so full of shit.”
“Really?” Dante’s eyes glinted cruelly. “Then why is your new boyfriend ready to give you up to save this pathetic little place?”
“Save this place?” she repeated, feigning confusion, while such anger filled her, she could barely contain it.
“Yes,” Dante hissed, his tone dripping poison. “I told him if he wants the restaurant to survive, he’ll dump you. And guess what? He agreed.”
Cassia shook her head slowly, her breath coming in shallow, furious gasps. “He would never do that!”
Dante’s confidence was unshakeable. “Oh, but he did, Cassia. Poor you. All this work, all this passion wasted. It’s such a pity, really. This place has…potential.”
“You’d really lie about the restaurant just for your own ego?” she asked, fighting to keep her voice even.
He reached out suddenly, cupping her cheek in his palm. It took everything she had not to slap his smug face. “Cassia, people believe what they want to believe. And, darling, they believe me.” He leaned in even closer, his voice an icy whisper. “I’m God in the culinary world—and God wants you back. By my side, where you belong.”
She jerked her face away, eyes blazing. “I don’t think so.”
With that, she spun around, forcing herself to walk calmly from the cloakroom. Her entire body was shaking, adrenaline making her pulse pound painfully. She collided with a solid chest, strong arms instantly wrapping around her.
Kris.
“What’s wrong?” he asked urgently, holding her against him where she belonged. The warmth of his body instantly calmed the storm raging inside her.
She raised her face to meet his worried gaze. “I overheard your conversation with Dante,” she admitted, heart squeezing at the raw pain flashing briefly across Kris’s face.
He immediately cupped her face so tenderly that tears stung her eyes. “Cassia, I would never give you up. Not for him, not for anyone. We’re mates. Soulmates…you know that, right?”
She took a steadying breath, drawing strength from his unwavering gaze. “I know. And that’s why I laid a trap for Dante and his ego.”
Kris frowned slightly, confusion mixing with cautious hope. “What do you mean?”
Cassia reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone with trembling fingers. “He followed me, and I recorded our conversation.” She held his gaze and let out a long, shuddering breath. “He admitted he would use his influence and lie to destroy this restaurant’s reputation if you didn’t leave me. It’s all here, Kris.”
His expression shifted rapidly from shock to disbelief and finally fierce admiration. He listened closely as she pressed play, Dante’s cold, arrogant threats echoing clearly from the speaker.
“You recorded him?” Kris asked with a small laugh. “You are a smart woman, Cassia.”
Cassia nodded firmly, feeling lighter than she had in years. “I couldn’t let him hurt you, hurt your family. I won’t let him control our lives.”
Kris smiled with pride, and he leaned in, capturing her lips in a sweet, tender kiss. “You’re incredible, Cassia.”
“Just protecting what I love,” she whispered, resting her head on his chest.
“And what do you plan to do with that recording?” he asked quietly.
Cassia’s lips curved in a triumphant smile. “I could upload it online. Let everyone see the fraud he really is.”
He cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her face up to his. “Or?”
Cassia considered this for a long moment. She had it in her power to destroy Dante, just as he had thought to destroy them. “Or...I could give him a chance to leave quietly. Stop threatening us. Stop interfering with our lives.”
Kris studied her face, his dark eyes searching hers. “You’d do that? After everything he’s done?”
She nodded slowly. “Not for him. For us. I don’t want his shadow hanging over our opening night. I don’t want to think about him ever again.” She took a deep breath. “But he needs to understand there are consequences if he tries anything else.”
Kris’s lips curved into a slow smile that made her heart flutter. “Have I mentioned lately how remarkable you are?”
“Not in the last hour,” she teased.
His large hand enveloped hers, thumb stroking her palm. “You’re remarkable, Cassia Harper.” And then he lowered his head and kissed her.
And what a kiss it was. Tender, passionate, filled with promise. Cassia melted against him, her worries momentarily forgotten. When they finally pulled apart, she was more certain than ever that this was the right move. A way to get rid of Dante for good.
They walked back into the dining room together, shoulders brushing. Dante was already seated at his table again, looking entirely too pleased with himself as he swirled the wine in his glass.
Cassia approached with Kris at her side, her spine straight as steel. “Dante,” she said quietly. “A word outside, please?”
Dante’s eyes flitted between them, his smug expression faltering slightly at their united front. For a heartbeat, he hesitated, then recovered with practiced ease, setting down his wine glass with deliberate slowness. “Do you interrupt all your guests while they are eating?” he asked smoothly.
“Only the ones who try to ruin us,” Cassia replied, her tone equally smooth.
“Have you been a naughty boy again, Dante?” Molly asked as she set her fork down on her plate. “I wondered why you were so insistent on coming here when you had treated Cassia so abominably.”
“You can hear for yourself,” Cassia said, with a smile, not wanting the other guests to overhear.
“Cassia,” Dante hissed as she took her phone out of her pocket and pressed play. He paled as he heard himself start speaking. “I don’t think we need to share our private conversation.”
“That is exactly what I will do if you ever threaten us again,” Cassia said, placing a hand on the back of his chair and squeezing it tightly as she fought to keep her composure.
“Now, I am intrigued,” Molly said, a steely glint in her eye.
“It’s nothing,” Dante said with a wave of his hand. “Just two old friends catching up.”
Cassia leaned down and hissed, “We are not friends.” Then she slipped her hand into Kris’s, who had stood next to her steadfast and true, and turned her back on Dante.
For he was her past and Kris was her future.
“You were incredible, as always,” Kris said as he circled his arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms once they were out of sight of their guests.
“No, we are incredible,” she replied, confidence shining through her smile. “And now the world will see that, too. With this restaurant. The wine. Your family.”
As Kris lowered his head and kissed her, she knew one thing for certain.
Dante’s hold over her was broken.
Her future was here, at Thornberg Vineyard, in Kris’s loving arms.
This mail-order mate was exactly where she belonged.