Page 38 of Cassio

Over. My. Dead. Body. Actually better yet; over his dead body.

“We were supposed to be working on this relationship, not you touching other men.” He sounded like an insecure, jealous prick. The need to smash his face grew by the second and my hands fisted, ready to punch the fucker right here in the lobby of my hotel.

“Don’t,” Luca murmured in Italian. My brother knew me too well.

I saw more than heard her take a deep breath and then exhale. “Please don’t start this now. This is Margaret’s party.”

“Fuck her,” he spat. “I don’t even like her. She is bad for the press.”

Áine didn’t even miss a beat. “But I like her, and I don’t give a crap about the press. If you are worried, leave.”

Atta girl.Okay, so I knew eavesdropping was rude, but I didn’t give a shit. I’ve done worse shit and this was for a good cause.

“I thought we would work this out.” He must have not expected such a quick dismissal.

There was a heartbeat of silence and then Áine spoke in a soft voice.

“Chad, I didn’t invite you here. Margaret did.” She let the unspoken meaning of it linger in the air. Then she continued, “I went to the gym this morning.” I could see Chad’s profile as he turned to look at her. He seemed annoyed. “I stopped by your floor to ask if you wanted to join me.” I could only see his profile, but it definitely paled a few shades. He would have to work on his poker face. There was guilt written all over it. “I saw Bridget coming out of your room.”

I disliked this dirty politician beforehand. Now I just detested him.If he even thinks to touch her, he dies. After I spend days torturing him and bleeding him dry.

“Áine, let me explain-”

She cut him right off. “There is nothing to explain, Chad. Let’s just both move on and at least we can remain friends.”

“I don’t want to be friends.”

I saw her shoulder slump, but she quickly got herself together

“I guess then we won’t be friends,” she retorted softly. It rubbed me the wrong way that she would even bother to be friends with a weasel like that.

Chad grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, her body flushed to his. Her free hand pushed against his chest. His hand snaked to her ass and she froze, terror and disgust clear on her face.

Fury shot through me like burning oil. Without a second thought, I stepped forward and pushed him away from her. He tumbled backwards, almost falling onto his ass. That would have been a sight, seeing the state’s attorney on his ass at my feet in the middle of the hotel lobby. I wasn’t a saint, but he didn’t deserve to even wipe dirt off my shoes.

“The lady doesn’t want your advances,” I gritted, furious he thought he had a right to touch her. “Give her space.”

Áine lost her balance. I quickly wrapped my arm around her, steadying her, and once I was sure she was balanced, I reluctantly let go. I really wanted to keep her in my arms, protect her.

I glared at him, and he was smart enough to have seen something in my eyes because he instantly retreated.

“You good?” I questioned her.

Her gaze connected with mine and my heart thundered. Those deep blues took my breath away every fucking time. She was the only person on this planet that managed to do that to me with a single glance.

“Yes, thank you.”

She turned her gaze to Chad, causing a little streak of jealousy through me.Why the hell am I jealous?

I knew facts about her. I had known what she studied, where she lived and worked, places she visited with her friends. She wasn’t overly outgoing, her personality reserved. She seemed composed and tightly reined in, with the exception of her fear of elevators. Her personality wasn’t exactly the one I usually enjoyed in women. The women I took to bed were loose and wild. Nonetheless, nobody and nothing ever affected me like her. Our encounter two years ago set something in motion and ignited the need only she could sate. I wanted to know every inch of her body and soul.

“Goodbye, Chad.” Her farewell to her boyfriend was firm and final, making it clear she would not be seeing him again.

“Áine-” he started to say, but she’d already turned around and started walking away without a backward glance.

“You will stay away from her,” I growled at Chad, anger simmering my words.

His eyes flashed in anger. “Who in the hell do you think you are?”