Page 131 of Double Standards

Maybe it’s shame. Maybe it’s guilt. I can’t tell anymore.

I just know I don’t want him to look at me and think this is his fault.

I don’t want him to flinch like I’m a consequence of loving him.

“Ax?” Hunter’s voice is low as he enters first, and I follow. Each step is heavy, uncertain.

Hunter glances back, nodding for me to come in. I inhale on one step, exhale on the next, forcing myself forward.

And then I see him.

Axel shoots to his feet, dark eyes locking on me. He rounds his desk in a flash, gripping my face, gentle but intense, eyes burning as they study every bruise, every cut.

“Cassie. What the fuck happened?”

“She was mugged,” Hunter answers from behind me.

Axel doesn’t move. His hands stay on me, his expression carved from stone. “Fuck. Call Max. I want surveillance checked. Right fucking now.”

“No—” the word bursts out of me, raw and sharp.

“What?” they both demand, eyes locking on mine.

I force the words past the pain. “I wasn’t mugged,” I whisper, each syllable stabbing at my throbbing lip. “It was Daniels.”

The room falls into a heavy, suffocating silence—thick enough to drown in.

Axel’s eyes flick to Hunter, sharp and searching. And then, without a word, Hunter vanishes.

Chapter Forty-Four

Every thread of anger I’ve been clinging to snaps and tears away. I spew venomous words at the man who hurt Cassie—who thought it was acceptable to lay a hand on her.

I will wring his fucking neck for this.

No one touches her but me. Especially not like that.

Hunter’s already gone. I know I need to have words with him tomorrow. He was supposed to be watching her, keeping her safe. So where the fuck was he?

“Axel?” Her small voice trembles, scared, and I hate that he’s caused this.

“It’s okay, baby.” I step forward, pulling her into my arms. She melts against me, finally resting her cheek on my chest as she sobs. “Let it out.”

I fight to reel in the rage bubbling just beneath my skin. Anger is both my enemy and my ally—without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today. But it’s quick to take over, and right now it’s an uncontrollable inferno.

Rocking her gently is the only thing that dulls the burning sting inside. I stroke her tangled, matted golden hair. She’s stillbeautiful to me. “I need you to stay here with me,” I murmur into her hair—an order, not a request.

She nods silently, tears filling the quiet instead of words. It drains me to stay calm for her, especially when I’m torn between wanting to kill the bastard for my peace of mind or dragging out every second of his suffering.

I’m choosing the latter. I’m a fucking sadist like that. Any pain inflicted on Cassie cuts me too. I might be gentle with her, but with anyone else, I don’t give a shit.

My eyes soften when I pull back and drink in her vulnerable state. She’s shivering, and I can see the pain etched in every line of her body.

“Come on,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her temple. Scooping her up, I carry her out of my office and upstairs.

“Where are we going?” she asks lazily, her head resting in the crook of my neck. Her eyes are half-lidded, and I don’t know if that’s through exhaustion or pain.

“To get you cleaned up, baby.” I open the en-suite door and set her gently on the edge of the tub.