Page 37 of Double Standards

“Maybe she was pissed because Daniels was trying to bribe her, not because you caught her.”

I close my eyes and exhale hard through my nose. The guilt twists deeper now, not like a knife—like a screw. Every inch I turn it makes it worse. I can feel her face in my memory—those sharp eyes, her jaw tight, her voice clipped when she told me toleave. I didn’t just misread the room. I blew it the fuck up.

I can feel Trigger’s stare on me. “Maybe you should apologize?”

I glance up to find him grinning.

“Don’t.”

“What?” he deadpans, throwing up his hands in mock innocence. “I’m just saying, Ax. You’ve got it bad. Like real bad. You barged into her office like a pissed-off bastard who found another man’s cologne on his girl.”

I narrow my eyes. “I’m not under her thumb.”

“Oh, buddy. Youare, and it’s kinda adorable.” He grins wide. “You’re like a wolf pup trying to growl.”

“Say that again and I’ll knock your teeth in.”

He laughs harder, totally unfazed. Because he knows me, and he knows when I’m full of shit.

The truth is, Cassie has gotten under my skin. Not like an itch. Like a splinter; something deep and impossible to ignore. She calls me out, stands toe-to-toe with me, and doesn’t flinch when I show my worst sides. Most people either fear me or tryto use me. But her? She doesn’t do either. She sees me—all of me—and still treats me like I’mhuman.

And I repaid that by treating her like a suspect. Like a traitor. I didn’t even give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Fine,” I mutter, standing up and brushing my palms over my jeans. “I’ll go see her.”

Trigger whistles low, pushing to his feet like he’s just witnessed something monumental. “Look at you. Growth.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

But even as I bark at him, my stomach turns. Because this isn’t just about guilt. It’s not even just about Cassie.

It’s about the fact that for the first time in a long damn while, Icarewhat someone else thinks of me. Not just anyone…her.I care if she looks at me like I’m scum. I care if she slams the door in my face and doesn’t look back.

And it’s killing me.

Chapter Thirteen

Ihope giving Axel some time to cool off and realize that today was all a misunderstanding will be enough for him to reconsider his words. But maybe this is my out. Maybefinally, I’ll be free and no longer tied to him or The Five.

It’s wishful thinking as I step inside my apartment. It should fill me with relief, but instead, it only leaves me feeling hollow, like something vital just slipped through my fingers.

“What’s this?” Cooper’s voice cuts through the silence as I search through the cupboard for a clean glass.

“What’s what?” I turn to find him rummaging through my bag before catching a flash of white between his fingers.

Cooper inspects it for a second, flipping the card back and forth. “Axel Bonanno’s number?” He raises a brow.

Instinctively, I lunge forward and snatch the card away like I’m protecting a secret weapon.

“Get out of my bag!”

“What are you hiding?” Cooper snaps, grabbing my handbag and digging through it again.

His accusation stings, clawing deep into my already shattered mood.

“I’m not hiding anything!” I snap, yanking the bag free.

I don’t know what’s gotten into him but he’s starting to piss me off.