69. Cassandra Walker
As Edmund was a member of Silent Hollow’s version of a country club, he’d been able to pull some strings, and they’d agreed to let the firm host the event at their clubhouse on short notice.
The ‘clubhouse’ was more of a hall located on the top floor of The Antoinette–one of Silent Hollow’s more luxurious hotels.
It was a wide open space with floor-to-ceiling windows, antique chandeliers, and marble floors. As we made our way into the venue, a server came by with a tray full of champagne, and my heart swelled with pride as Theo politely declined.
To my surprise, she plucked one up for me, though.
“I don’t need–”
“Have a glass of champagne, Cass. I’ll be fine.” She smiled at me warmly, and I accepted the drink, feeling unsure about how I felt indulging when I’d asked her not to.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, baby girl. I’m sure. I’ll grab a soda or something at some point.”
“Alright.” I grinned at her, and she winked at me playfully before taking my free hand in hers and tugging me forward so we could make our way deeper into the brightly lit hall.
“So this is how the other half lives,” she murmured to me, her dark eyes twinkling with excitement as she took in all the elegantly dressed people mingling in the ostentatious space.
There were several high-profile guests outside of the members of our firm. I clocked a few senators and one or two CEOs of mega corporations. There were even a few B-list celebrities helping themselves to some hors d’oeuvres at the catering tables set up on the far side of the room.
My feet were pinching in my new shoes, but I ignored them as I tugged Theo over to where I saw Edmund and Vivian chatting with Nolan.
“Come on,” I said, trying not to wince as I felt a small blister begin to form on the back of my foot. “I want you to meet the partners.”
“Ah, Cassandra,” Edmund said, smiling as we approached. “I see you brought your wife. Vivian and I have been dying to meet the woman resilient enough to endure your sharp tongue.”
“Ha ha.” I fake-laughed, rolling my eyes. Theo frowned slightly, but reached out to shake Edmund’s hand.
“If I’m being honest, sir, her tongue is a big part of the appeal.”
Vivian nearly choked on her sip of champagne, and Nolan burst out laughing.
Theo glanced at Nolan, as if assessing whether he was laughing with her or at her, but he gave her a genuinely good-natured grin and held up his champagne in silent cheers.
“No doubt,” he agreed, and Edmund chuckled.
“I must say, it was quite a surprise to learn that our Cassandra had found someone to finally settle down with. How did the two of you meet?”
Theo’s smirk widened, and she glanced at me again before responding.
“She assaulted me in my mother’s kitchen.”
I gaped at her.
“Theo! You can’t just go around telling people I assaulted you.”
Theo shrugged.
“You did, though.”
“Allegedly. You don’t have any proof!”
The corners of Theo’s eyes crinkled as she eyed me mischievously.
“No, but there were witnesses.”
Nolan was howling, and both Vivian and Edmund looked thoroughly amused.
Feigning an annoyance I didn’t really feel, I scoffed.
“I didn’t assault her,” I lied.
Edmund and Vivian exchanged a look, shaking their heads.
“Honestly, none of us would put it past you. A rather unconventional way to begin a romance, but it seems to have worked in your favor.”
“Indeed,” Vivian agreed. “She’s very charming, Cassandra. Seems you’ve finally met your match.”
She gave me a knowing wink, and I felt a rush of pride bubble through me.
“Well, Vivian and I are going to make our rounds. It was lovely meeting you, Theodora,” Edmund said amicably, and we watched them wander off arm in arm to schmooze.
As soon as they were gone, Nolan let out a relieved sigh.
“I’m so fucking glad you guys are here,” he said, sounding exasperated. “This entire night has been excruciating. I had to listen to Senator Benedict talk about some new bill he wants to pass banning a brand of fertilizer for a solid twenty minutes. It was brutal.”
Theo was watching him quietly, clearly not feeling particularly interested in interacting with him, but still trying to maintain a certain level of civility.
He beamed at her, which only made her frown.
“So, Theo. Can I call you Theo? Cass tells me you’re a fighter of sorts. Are you into MMA? Did you catch the fight last night?”
Theo’s eyes widened in surprise at Nolan’s clear attempt to bond over what could possibly be a mutual interest of theirs. She relaxed slightly and nodded.
“Yeah. Cunningham was on fire.”
“No doubt, no doubt. I wasn’t expecting him to win, honestly. I thought for sure Monroe would have it in the bag.”
I listened to the two of them talk about the fight, pleased with the fact that they seemed to be getting along. After I was sure they weren’t going to suddenly start swinging on each other, I excused myself to make some rounds of my own.
“You’ll be okay for a bit if I go say hi to a few people?” I asked, and Theo nodded, barely paying attention to me in her eagerness to continue talking about whoever this Monroe character was.
“Yeah, baby girl. Do your thing, I’ll be here.” She left a gentle kiss on my knuckles and resumed her conversation with Nolan.
I smiled.
She’d been so nervous about coming here, but she was just so naturally likable.
I genuinely felt fine leaving her for a bit to go and show face with some of the mingling patrons.
Leaving her chatting happily with Nolan felt like the Cassandra I used to be was meeting the Cassandra I wanted to be, and I was thrilled that these two polarizing parts of my life seemed to mesh together so easily.
A little beat of excitement shot through my chest, and I realized with a start that I was feeling better than I had in weeks.
Theo was happy, so I was happy.
I couldn’t wait to whisk her away for a weekend and tell her just how much I loved her. We were already married on paper, but thinking back to our wedding now, I wish I’d written my own vows like she had.
While I couldn’t go back and change the past, I could make up for it now.
I was planning on telling her everything that weekend.
I wanted to tell her about my feelings, but I also wanted to tell her what I’d been plotting with Vox and ask if she would be open to me doing the same to whoever had abused her, too.
It wasn’t like the idea of murdering some scum bag would shake her.
She’d already killed someone herself when she’d risked her life to save my siblings.
The idea of hunting down the man who had hurt her together made me almost giddy with excitement.
I hoped she was open to it, and if she wasn’t, I would do it on my own and bring her the man’s head back in a fucking bag.
‘Finally,’ my monster hummed happily in my chest, and I smiled.
‘Yes. You’ll finally get your pound of flesh.’
‘I knew the street fighter would be good for us,’ it preened, and I almost snorted out loud.
‘You know as well as I do that you wanted to kill her just the same as everyone else you meet.’
‘I never claimed I wanted to kill her. I only said that I wanted to make her scream… and you’ve already done a good enough job of that. I am satisfied.’
‘You’re the worst.’
‘Yes, I am the worst. But I am the worst so you don’t have to be. Go mingle with your guests, Cassandra. I will keep an eye on our street fighter.’
I smiled ruefully as I greeted the next couple that approached me, asking for details about the foundation we’d chosen to donate our proceeds to.
Everything was perfect.
I was so fucking happy, and I couldn’t believe this was now my new norm.
For the first time since my mother locked me up alone in that horrible cage, I was truly looking forward to what the future had in store for me.
With Theo by my side, I felt like maybe every day wouldn’t have to be such a battle, and even if it was, at least now I didn’t have to do it alone.