Page 3 of Cries of Cassie

"No, thank you. I would love to next week though, if that's okay with you?"

Jamie frowns and leans his hip on the table a few feet away from me. "Of course. You know you're always welcome. What's wrong?"

Sighing, I try to ignore his intense stare. "I don't want to say. It's embarrassing."

"More embarrassing than the time you⁠—"

"Let's not start that game," I cut in and decide to tell him. "I heard motorcycles drive by and froze."

Jamie hums and scratches his jaw. I know what he thinks, what they all think—I deserve better. I deserve a man who doesn't make me want to hide and bang my head into solid wood to knock some sense into myself.

"This is the longest I haven't seen him, and I'm terrified the next time I do, I'll do something drastic."

"Like break things off with him?" Jamie asks with a tinge of hope lining his words.

Sometimes their disapproval of my relationship, or lack thereof, with Maddy annoys me. Jamie's story with Violet and the other two men wasn't easy or healthy for a long time either.

Of course, I know they don't judge me, but I don't like feeling like I'm under a microscope. Their worries come from a good place. I just wish it didn't have to be this way.

Sighing, I stand and push the rolling desk chair in. "Or lose my shit and force his hand."

"Oh, do tell," Jamie pleads, clapping his hands in excitement. "What would you do?"

"More like already did..." I murmur and grab my purse. "I bought a Harley."

Jamie gasps, making me roll my eyes. "Cass, that's not⁠—"

"Don't you fucking dare," I growl, pointing at him. "I've had enough of men telling me what I can and can't handle. Jake's teaching me how to ride, and nobody can stop me."

His eyes bug out of his head. "Jake?! Maddox will kill him. You know that. He's my best tattoo artist, Cass. Why couldn't you find anyone else?!"

"He'll be fine. Jake's my friend and knows how much I've been struggling." Trying to appease his protective side, I add, "He's the only one I trust to teach me fairly and correctly. I'm being safe. Promise."

Jamie narrows his eyes at me and crosses his arms. "Fine. I don't want either of you hurt, though. Understand?"

"Sir, yes, sir," I grumble, and turn on my heel. "'Night, boss!"

Jamie's muttered cursing follows me out the door and wraps me in a familiar comfort. He means well, and honestly, he's family. It's nice knowing someone supports me.

Chapter Two

Ripley (Ripper)

Moisture clings to the back of my neck, and the thick summer air tests my patience. Doesn't matter. Nothing will keep me from stalking Cassie.

I could say I'm watching over her, protecting her, whatever, but I'm not one to shy away from the truth. I've been stalking this woman for seven years, since Maddox first started dating her.

It started off with curiosity about who could entrance one of my lovers away from our bed. The moment I saw Cassie smile and flip her fiery red hair over her shoulder, I understood. She's stunning. But that wasn't what hooked me. No.

On the second night, I followed her to the club she goes to with her friends. I had the pleasure of watching her shift her hourglass frame between a man and her friend. The punch she threw at the asshole's throat immediately stole my focus.

She didn't see who dragged the guy out back and beat him to a bloody pulp, but that's okay. Cassie may have defended herself with a snarl on her pretty face, yet there's no way she can stomach the shit I do on a daily basis.

I'm the fucking Ripper. I've torn men’s arms from their sockets for simply glaring at an innocent woman. She'll never know I have a soft spot. Hell, Cassie doesn't even know me. Nor has she seen my face.

The focus has turned into an obsession. Each night I twist restlessly in my bed as I wonder what other trouble she might get into. She seemed way too comfortable putting herself in the face of danger and escalating the situation instead of calling for help.

Cassie is a risk for many fucking reasons, but more than that, I fear she's a risk to herself.