Page 25 of Dangerous Men

“I see.” His face hardens. He hadn’t expected that. Chase never dealt well with not being in control of a situation. The hand on Caroline’s hip tightens visibly, and she winces. “Well, I guess that explains it, then.”

I almost feel sorry for her, seeing that look of pain. I remember this. I remember the times when his anger got the better of him… when his touches were anything but gentle.

I remember what it was like to be afraid of him.

“Why were you messaging me, anyway?” I ask Chase, tearing my eyes away from where he’s touching her. “I thought we?—”

“I was only messaging you because I was beingnice,”he says, cutting me off. Always cutting me off. “Caroline is thinking about moving in with me, and we’re just not comfortablehaving your stuff around anymore. I wanted to return the last of your things.”

With those words, a flicker of surprise appears in Caroline’s bright blue eyes, and she looks decidedly uncomfortable. Did she ask him to reach out to me, I wonder, or is this the first she’s hearing of it?

He did that to me, too. Made decisions without me. Made inferences without my input and treated them like they were fact and not just his opinions.

“But if that’s how you’re going to act, I have no problem just tossing it all in the trash where it belongs,” Chase finishes. His lip twists up into a hostile sneer, and I don’t doubt for a second that he’d do exactly that.

I shake my head, frustrated tears welling in my eyes. Of course, he would ruin this night for me. Ofcourse. I don’t want to cry in front of them. I can’t let them have this power over me. I can’t keep letting him get to me like this. I can’t keep letting himwin.

But I don’t know how to get out of this situation. As always, he’s taken away all of my fight, all of my will.

Just walk away!a voice inside me screams.Tell him to fuck off and walk away!

But I can’t.

“I guess I can stop by and pick them up,” I say, resigned and just hoping for this interaction to end. Defeated by him once again.

“Great,” Chase says, a cruel edge to his voice. “Well, maybe you can stop being dramatic and unblock my number so we can talk like adults. You can be so difficult when you?—”

“Ah,thereyou are,” a deep resonant voice interrupts, speaking over him. Someone touches me, taking my hand in theirs and wrapping a thick arm around my waist, mirroring the couple in front of us. “I lost you for a moment there, Red.”

I blink in surprise as I stare up into the face of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome himself.

Alec.

Now this? This is a man who was born to wear a tuxedo. The one he’s in right now looks crafted just for him, hugging every delicious muscle in his body. He looks perfectly in his element here, like he was made for this ballroom. Or like it was made for him.

I stare up at this handsome creature, speechless, my mouth partially open in shock. Dark eyes locked on mine, Alec brings my hand up to his face, and places a soft kiss on my knuckles, sending a flutter of excitement through my body.

“Alec? What are you?—”

“And who is this?” Alec interrupts me, pulling me close enough that we’re standing hip to hip, my body pressed flush against his.

Oh. Right. For a moment, I’d forgotten all about him.Them. Caroline’s eyes are tracking Alec up and down, her mouth agape. She looks genuinely stunned. And while I know Alec is attractive—possibly the most attractive man I’ve ever seen, if we’re not including his muscular friend Ash—her reaction is still over-the-top.

“Babe, why don’t you go grab us some more drinks,” Chase urges, pushing Caroline away without looking at her.

Chase’s posture has stiffened, and for the first time tonight, I know I have his full attention. A muscle in his jaw tightens as he stares at Alec’s hand now resting casually on my hip. Caroline is clearly put off by the request, but she takes a deep breath, schooling her features. Not wanting to start a fight with Chase she’s sure to lose. I remember that feeling vividly. Without another word, she walks away, glancing back at us over her shoulder a few times before she reaches the line to the bar.

“Chase,” my ex introduces himself, holding out his hand for Alec to shake. I’ve never seen him so obviously jealous of another man. It makes me feel strangely powerful. “I’m Sydney’s…wasSydney’s fiancé,” Chase finishes, awkwardly.

“Ah, well, better luck next time,” Alec purrs, his fingers tightening on me in a gentle squeeze. Chase’s eyes track the motion, and his scowl deepens.

“And you are…?” Chase prompts, hand still outstretched, waiting.

Finally letting me go long enough to take Chase’s hand, Alec smiles widely.

“Mason Sterling,” he introduces himself. My heart skips a beat. “How kind of you to come to my little charity event this evening.”

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