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“You don’t know anything, and you don’t know me. You are just a jealous pill-head who is chasing a man who doesn’t want you. Take the hint Cassidy, desperation isn’t a good look on you.”

“You bitch.” Cassidy slaps me across the face. I don’t anticipate it, so I go flying, but strong hands catch me.

“Hell no,” I hear Ali yell.

“Retract the claws Ali Cat,” Harry shouts as I try to regain my focus and look up to see Brad was the one who caught my fall.

Ali is nose to nose with Cassidy and signals for security to remove her. Tears threaten and my cheek is burning.

“Are you okay? What was that?” Ali asks, worry etched all over her face.

“I, I don’t know, I think she’s been drinking, and I couldn’t understand what she was saying. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to ruin your night, I’m so sorry, I…” My words trail off.

“Hey, you didn’t ruin anything,” Ali reassures me.

“Would you be mad if I went home?” I say, a slight tremble to in my voice. I need to get out of here.

“Of course not, but I don’t want you going alone.”

“I’ll take her,” Brad offers.

We say our goodbyes and Brad drives us back to my apartment. The journey back silent as I replay the whole evening in my head. This all needs to stop. Now.

We enter the apartment, and I toss my purse and kick off my heels, heading for the refrigerator and take a swig of last night’s rose right from the bottle. I carry it away with me and head to my bedroom, taking another swig, and Brad follows.

“We need to talk.”

“Not now Brad. I’m tired and my cheek is throbbing.” I press the cold bottle against my cheek and close my eyes as the sting subsides.

“No, we are doing this now.”

I roll my eyes in frustration and take another swig of the wine.

“And you’re going to be sober for it.” He reaches for the bottle, and like a petulant child, I hold it out to my side. He groans in frustration. “Fine, have it your way, but we are talking. Why the fuck are you still with that prick?” he barks.

“Why are you with crackhead Cassidy?” I bite back.

“I’m not,” he says sternly.

“Well, you might want to tell her that because you both looked very cozy today in your office.”

He folds his arm across his broad chest and grins.

“Jealous, are we? Careful baby girl this fiery side of you is doing things to me.”

“No, I’m not. You’re a free man, do what you want. As a matter of fact, please, leave, go find her, and fuck her into next week.” I take another swig, my anger reaching a boiling point. Why am I so mad, I have no right to be. These are the consequences of my actions and my decisions. I’m blaming him, but the only person I should be angry at is myself.

He takes a step closer, and I take a step back.

“Is that what you want, Gabriella? For me to go to her and fuck her.”

I swallow down the bile that works its way up my throat. The idea of him being with Cassidy is making me feel physically sick.

“I don’t really care.” Lies, complete lies.

He takes another step closer and as I take one back, my back hits the wall and I gasp. He lets out an amused scoff as he leans a forearm above my head, boxing me in, and suddenly it feels hard to take a breath. He trails an index finger from my throat, down my chest, along my exposed skin, leaving a burning heat as he moves down my body.

“So, you’d be okay with me bending her over, burying my cock into her tight cunt, and fucking her?”