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“Alpha, this is Liana,” Hanover called out. “She’s new here. She’s not who you’re looking for. Please—”
“Get him out of here!” Cade barked without turning.
Ryland immediately moved to escort my supervisor out of the room, but his removal only panicked me more. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the same dark-eyed fae who had helped with my room, watching us from the doorway, her stare accusing now, as if she realized who I was.
My cover was blown. I couldn’t hide in Anderlane anymore—assuming Cade let me go.
“I told you not to come,” I said again, sorrow lacing my words. “Leave me alone.”
“No!” Cade roared, drawing closer, but I continued to move back, my hands up as if to ward him off. He stopped in his tracks. “Why are you acting this way, Zephy? You were so eager to marry me. You just left me…”
He trailed off and squared his shoulders, jaw tightening. I dropped my chin, biting on my lower lip.
He intends to keep up with the charade.
“I want you to be happy, Cade,” I told him simply, honestly. “And it’s clear that I am not the one who makes you happy.”
He stared at me, dumbfounded, and I again lowered my eyes. “You should go. I have work to do—”
“What the hell are you talking about?” he interjected, and I turned away, gathering my cleaning supplies.
“Please, Cade. You’ve already made a scene and probably endangered my position here. I had a difficult enough time getting the job—”
“No, I want you to tell me why you left.”
I grimaced but refused to face him, my heart sinking at his betrayal.
Why won’t he just admit that he loves Stralia and not me? Why is he doing this?
“Zephy!”
I whirled around and glared at him, shaking my head. “No! No, I’m not Zephy. Not anymore. I’m Liana now. I work at this hotel. I live in Anderlane. I’m not going to marry someone who is in love with someone else!”
“I’m in love with you, you fool!” he exploded. “How can you be so blind? What would make you think otherwise?”
My chest tightened at his declaration, but I couldn’t easily forget what I’d seen between him and Stralia. I wouldn’t be the fool he claimed me to be.
“Please go, Cade. I wish you hadn’t come.”
I turned again, but without warning, his strong arm encircled my waist, my legs rising off the floor. A shriek fell from my mouth at the unexpected gesture, feet kicking out against his chest.
“What are you doing?!” I yelled. “Put me down!”
“No,” Cade growled, striding out of the hotel room, toward the corridor, my stomach folded over his shoulder. “Not until you and I have discussed this. I’m not giving up on you.”
“CADE!” I gasped, my face flushed in utter embarrassment as the staff and guests watched in amazement, Jasper and Ryland following after with their stoic expressions. Cade ignored the elevator, his strides even and unfaltering on the stairs as I wriggled to get free. Blood rushed to my head as I dangled over his muscular shoulder; but the fighting was futile. He was too strong, too determined. I wasn’t going anywhere until he forced the entire sordid truth out of my mouth.
Be careful what you wish for,I thought grimly.You might not like what you hear.
Chapter5
Cade
“Stop fighting me,” I growled, as Zephy continued to beat against my back with her fists.
I’d forgotten how strong she could be when she was in fighting mode. It was not the greeting I had expected from her in my mind’s eye when I had imagined reuniting with her. But she had not been able to hide the pleasure in her gleaming, dark irises when I’d told her I loved her, even as she tried to turn away before I could see.
“Put me down!” Zephy squeaked. “I’m not a toy, Cade!”
