Chapter 37
CASSIDY
I smooth the front of my sundress, taking a steadying breath before heading out the door. The Hanover air is sweet, a world away from the stale, recycled oxygen of the club. God, that feels so long ago. It’s only been a month, but might as well be another lifetime.
I climb inside my car, headed out to help Sam with something. I bite my lip, considering how far I’ve come. That I could hop in my car and go without a care in the world. I reach to turn on the radio, Olivia Dean filling the speakers as she sings about the man she needs,
Relax, Cass. You’ve come so far.
How would anyone even know I’m here? I’m just a girl in a quiet suburb now.
However when I merge onto the main road and catch sight of that same SUV in my rearview mirror, the reassurance from a moment ago dissolves.
Panic flares white-hot. My hands start to shake, and I grip the steering wheel harder.
Thank God I’m meeting Sam at a floral shop in a well-populated mall.
I decide to stay the course. If I’m being hunted, I’d rather be in a crowd.
Jeez. I haven’t had a situation that made me feel this unglued since the day at the hospital that prompted my move to Sebastian’s home.
I circle the parking lot like a hawk until I find the closest possible spot to the floral shop.
If anything sinister happens, I want a short sprint to safety.
Grabbing my purse, I lock the door and keep my head down as I rush for the sidewalk.
“Cass?” The voice hits me like a physical shock. I freeze, then slowly turn to look over my shoulder.
It’s him. Max.
He’s standing there, looking infuriatingly gorgeous. His feet are planted shoulder-width apart in a power stance, one hand shoved into his pants pocket. But the dominance is a lie. His eyes, usually so self-assured and calculating, look despondent and vulnerable.
Even more perplexing is his formal attire. It’s Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. This man rarely wears a suit to the club unless it’s a black-tie party. Perhaps he had some important board meeting. Or maybe...
“Cass?” he repeats, his voice breaking through my overcrowded thoughts.
God, I just want to run to him. I want to pretend we’re back at his house, eating stir-fry and hiding from the world. “What are you doing here?” The tremble in my voice is seriously pissing me off.
“I needed to see you.”
I narrow my eyes as my investigative training kicks in. “Wait. How did you find me? Did you dox my PII? Doxxing is illegal, Max.”
“First…” He ticks off with his index finger in the air.
“I did not dump your personally identifiable information. And second…” Another finger goes up.
“If I did, it wouldn’t be illegal unless it was for malicious intent.
” He pauses, his gaze softening. “Unless you hate me enough to consider my coming here a personal assault.”
My face falls. “I could never hate you, Max.” Although that might be easier than replaying those moments alone with you, wishing things were different. “Why are you really here?”
“I needed to see that you were okay.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
His brows jump to his scalp. “You told me why you were staying at DPG, Cassidy. Remember? Your fears about retaliation. That alone should be reason enough to worry.” He takes a hesitant step forward, his free hand flexing and stretching by his side.
This is no Mr. Darcy move. I’d bet my last nickel he’s never seen it.
“I saw that abduction on the news. The one that happened at the hospital here in Hanover. When the blonde came onto the screen, I nearly went on a rampage. I had to remind myself it wasn’t you. She had no pink in her hair. Until one of the girls at the bar mentioned you’d dyed it.”
He looks away, his jaw ticking. “I thought...”
“You thought what?”
“I thought I’d lost...” He swallows hard. “Another one.” The pain etched on his face makes my chest seize. Another one?
I tilt my head, unsure who he’s referencing. Yet the raw agony in his expression stops me from asking. I inch closer, wanting to take this conversation somewhere private, when I’m interrupted.
“Hey, Cassidy!”
I look up to find Sam jogging over to stand beside me. He’s holding a massive bouquet of red roses. Jeez. I’d completely forgotten I was meeting him.
Sam leans in and places a light kiss on my cheek.
“I’m so sorry. I—”
I glance back at Max to introduce them and actually have to take a step back. The sweet man who binged Criminal Minds with me is gone. In his place is an ogre who looks like he could kill Sam with his glare alone. “Sam, this is Max.”
Sam winces at the radioactive glare Max is leveling at him and gives a tentative wave. “Hey, man.” He turns back to me, concerned. “You okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I lie. Because right now, I feel like I’m trapped in a Lifetime movie. “Is it okay if I meet up with you later?”
Sam looks from me to Max, then back to me. “Of course. If you’re sure you’re okay.”
“I’m good,” I repeat, my eyes holding Max’s. His expression relaxes by a fraction of a millimeter. “I won’t be long.”
“Okay, babe,” Sam answers, wandering off. “I’ll meet you at the house.”
Max’s jaw begins to tick again. I’m surprised teeth aren’t falling out of his mouth at the force. He stands there speechless, both hands in his pockets now, looking like he’s ready to set the entire parking lot on fire.
“That’s Sam Lee.”
“So you said.”
“He’s Sebastian’s brother. But you probably already know that.”
“Cassidy, I told you, I didn’t dump your data,” he snaps, then sighs, his shoulders slumping. “I have no idea who he is. Can we please go somewhere and talk?”
“Maybe, if you weren’t glaring at me like you are scrubbing me from existence,” I counter.
He shifts awkwardly. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was already anxious about what I’d say to you. This wasn’t a circumstance I’d prepared for.”
“What wasn’t?”
“A boyfriend.”
My eyes widen. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at the sheer absurdity of Sam being “boyfriend material.” Sebastian would have a field day with that.
But Max’s venom has morphed into pure, unadulterated hurt. My heart breaks a little for him. I know exactly how I’d feel if the roles were reversed.
“Sam is not my boyfriend,” I reply softly. “I’m temporarily staying with his brother and his family. He asked if I’d meet him here to help with a personal issue. We’re barely friends.” I hope the reassurance helps, even if I don’t owe it to him.
“I miss you,” he blurts.
I blink, stunned into silence. This might be the most honest thing he’s ever said to me.
“Will you have dinner with me?” He looks around the busy lot. “I really want to talk... somewhere a little less populated. Is there any chance you’re free tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Can I come by around 6:00?”
“Sure.”
A beautiful smile crosses his face. It becomes clear the bright summer sun isn’t the only thing making his blue eyes sparkle. “Great. I’ll see you then.”
I begin to turn away when a realization hits me. “So if you didn’t scrape my accounts, how did you find me? Did Gianni tell you where I was?”
Max shakes his head, a playful smile curling one corner of his lips as he heads back toward his SUV. “No. It was Lala.”
It’s ten minutes until showtime. My hands tremble as I smooth the fabric of the little black, form-fitting dress I’m wearing.
Part of me was worried it might not fit, given how well I’ve been eating here with Sebastian, Bella, and their family.
But working out with Bas has managed to keep me from putting on too many extra pounds.
Glancing back in the mirror, I let out a long sigh. I’ve got my hair styled in loose waves and my makeup as close to perfect as I can make it. I’ve stuck to neutral shades with a subtle pink lip gloss.
Pink.
I think I’m going to dye it back soon. I miss it. Almost as much as I’ve missed this man.
No more hiding, Cassidy. I need to face life again. It’s been years now, and those men are locked up tight.
I bite my lip, my reflection looking back at me with a mix of defiance and fear.
Somewhere during our conversation tonight, I need to verify he had nothing to do with their transfer to maximum security.
Even though it’s a big possibility. Max may have assured me he hadn’t crossed the line by scrubbing my personal data, but given the work he’s been doing, it’s not beyond the pale that he would’ve done something to avenge me. It’s the man I know Max Wilde to be.
Well, the part he’s let me see, anyway.
Knock, knock, knock.
I open the guest room door to see Bella smiling at me. “Cassidy, your date is here.”
I want to correct her. Tell her this isn’t a date, merely an overgrown man-child here to speak his mind. I can’t let myself even consider there could be more to it.
Sure, Cass. That’s why you’ve spent all afternoon trying to get my sexy on.
He probably won’t divulge anything personal. He’ll simply try to convince me to work on another project or keep him company while he’s in town.
“Thanks, Bella.”
“You look beautiful,” she says, her eyes warm. “That guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
I giggle nervously, clutching my small purse. “Nah, it’s just dinner. Nothing more.”
Bella looks at me deadpan. “Please. Do you think I was born yesterday? You look like you’re getting ready for prom. This man means something special to you. And by the nervous expression on his face downstairs, I’d say he feels the same about you.”
My eyes suddenly well with tears. I immediately chastise myself. Don’t go getting your hopes up. You have too much on your plate to get hurt again.
“Cass, don’t cry,” Bella reassures gently.
I lift my chin, blinking back the moisture. “I’m fine.”
“Look, I’m only saying, give him a chance. I recognize that look. Wanting someone you know is probably all kinds of bad for you. Someone you’ve let hurt you enough already.”
My eyes hold hers in the mirror. “Bas?”