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~Mark~
It has been a week since I saw Cassandra at her office, asking me to give her time and space to think about us. I’ve felt on edge ever since I left for Switzerland for work. We spoke on the phone every other day, emailed about business matters only. Cassandra refused to discuss our relationship at that time we were apart. I can feel the distance growing.
As soon as I land, I dial her number and wait for her to pick it up. After a few more signals, I hear her voice filter through the speakers. It burrows into me with a stipulating need to hold her, breathe her scent, and drink her moans from those luscious lips, like I did before.
"Hello, Mark." I shut my eyes, as my chest aches with how much I missed her.
It’s crazy how fast she became a central piece of my life. Every waking thought. Every dream. My feelings for her are only getting stronger the more time we spend together.
"Good evening, Cassandra." I smile, hoping she’ll allow me to see her.
Does she need me the same way I need her? Does she think about me when I’m not there?
"Mark." She audibly exhales and my chest compresses with tension, sensing she wants to run.
"I just landed. Let's meet and talk. I could come to pick you up?" I stop, unsure if she wants me near her home after the fight with Lucas. I need to fix this situation, or I’ll lose her. "Cassandra?" I wait for her answer, but the sickening pause keeps me in suspense, and I dread her refusal. "Please, let me explain. Don't give up on me yet, Bird."
“I just came back from work. I’m at home now. How soon can you get here?”
“Give me an hour.” I hold my breath, afraid I’ve ruined everything. “Cassandra.” I pause, listening to her uneven breaths. “I lived in the nightmare of abuse and violence. I know your fears and why you want to push me away. Give me a chance to prove you’re wrong.”
She clears her throat, but her voice still sounds solemn and gritty.
“I’ll be ready in an hour, Mark. We need to talk alone. Perhaps your condo?”
My pulse spikes with awareness, pumping the blood faster at hearing her reserved tone. I can feel the distance like a chasm thrust between us.
“All right, I’ll come to pick you up.”
She hangs up the phone before I have a chance to say I missed her. Is she punishing me? Not even goodbye or see you soon at the end. Damn it! I screwed up, but I won’t let her slip through my fingers this easy. I can’t.
I want to snatch her from that damn house and claim her before they have a chance to end us. Feeling helpless, I hit the steering wheel, ready to tear my car apart, and I miss a turn. Shit!
By the time I pull into the driveway, I dispel the dark thoughts about the Cades and their secret motives. As I park, I spot Lucas’ car parked by the entrance next to a few other vehicles. Annoyed he’s here, I kill the engine and go to get my girl.
Before I reach the entrance, Cassandra opens it and strides past me like her hair’s on fire and she’s ready to singe anyone in her way. My mouth falls open as she passes me. My gaze flicks back to Lucas, leaning against the frame with crossed arms over his broad chest. He gives me one of his infamous scowls, but when his wolf eyes flick back to Cassandra, I see he’s worried about her.
Did they have a fight?
He straightens when I come to greet him. My hand extends and to my surprise, he grasps my palm to shake it, squeezing with more force than needed.
“I see you’re in the mood to be a dick.” My lips tug at the corners.
“You’re wrong, Mark, it’s you who’s a dickhead, going after Logan’s woman. He was your brother.” Finally, those wolfish eyes lock on me, accusing me of the things he wants from Cassandra too. I come closer until we stand nose to nose and he has to straighten up to match me.
“He’s dead. I’m alive, Lucas. I have no obligations to this family not to chase her. I won’t miss my chance to be with the woman I care this much about. For some reason, you all have this strange notion I should be embarrassed. But I am not. You’re the ones who paint our relationship as taboo, but it’s not, and you know it.”
“Mark! Lucas! Do not dare to launch another fight at my house entrance. Do you hear me?” Her sharp warning from afar pulls at me. I step away from the marine, letting my muscles relax, and tension leaves my frame.
“What happened to you, Mark, what happened to our family? This isn’t how we’re supposed to be.”
I snort. We weren’t that close. And they’ve never treated me as one of them.
“Your family is a bunch of liars. You pretend to be what you aren’t.” I rub my chin, trying to read him if he’s this clueless or just pretends to be. “I know the truth, I know who you are, but Cassandra doesn’t. You can play this good brother-in-law card for now. But soon, Lucas, the smoke screens will vanish, and you’ll have to face the music.”
He looks away, hiding his dark gaze from me. “Not all of us chose this life, you know?” he utters. “Not everything is as it seems,” he adds.
He knows something, and he hates it. I just wonder what he means.
