Page 31 of Filthy Little Regrets (Princes of NYC #2)

twenty

CASSIA

Between the tiny servings and the unease floating around the crystal vases on the table, dinner is awkward as fuck.

Melody is quiet. The conversation was so easy between us when we shared a drink, but there, we were alone.

Darius Astor, a man with graying hair and a clear god complex, sits at the head of the table.

He’s not untouchable, though, because he’s wearing a wicked shiner. Who gave him that pretty present?

Mace’s sisters and mother all seem to move with caution, carrying a mindless conversation to keep him at ease.

Mace reappeared right as we were getting ready to take our seats, his gaze devoid of any type of life and jaw set tight.

I haven’t been able to get a read on what’s going on the few times we’ve made eye contact.

My pulse is a butterfly in a windstorm, struggling to stay aloft.

“So, Cassia, what do you do?” Elaine asks. She’s as put together as she was the other day on the porch. Hair carefully styled. A sheath dress. Pearls.

Does she clutch those bad boys ?

“I do freelance tech support,” I lie, ignoring the tang of guilt coating my throat.

I don’t want to give Darius a reason to think of me as a threat, especially if I end up at Rex Technologies to try and get information.

I have spyware ready to install and test on Mace’s work computer.

All I need is an opportunity to plant it.

Adalie and Melody perk up at that, but Darius scoffs and their smiles fade. Elaine flicks her gaze to Darius, a single crease cutting across her forehead, but otherwise, the pleasant expression she’s wearing is firmly in place. She’s the peacekeeper, I realize.

“That sounds interesting. Maybe you can come work for Rex.”

Not in a million years.

Elaine smiles at her husband, who is more interested in his tumbler of scotch than this conversation. “What do you think, Darius?”

He glances up, squinting at her, then looking at me. “Freelance tech support isn’t really a skill we’re looking to hire.”

“But if she knows tech work, wouldn’t she be able to learn whatever skill you all need?” Elaine shoots me a bashful look. “I’m not good with technology, so I’ve never considered working with the firm.”

“Elaine?” Darius asks with a bite.

She focuses on her husband, a wariness about her smile. “Yes, dear?”

“It’s embarrassing when you talk about things you know nothing about.”

That’s possibly the rudest shut up I’ve ever heard.

Her gaze drops to her lap, but not before I catch the slight tremble in her lip. The sisters focus on their plates. Mace clutches his glass of water, knuckles turning white. I scowl at Darius and he catches it, eyes narrowing.

“Tech support means you either didn’t graduate college or barely passed.”

I dropped out with a semester left because I couldn’t afford it. Something on my face must confirm what he’s thinking.

“Exactly. You don’t have what Rex Technologies is looking for. We only hire the best and brightest.”

Even though I know I’m smart and capable, the shame of dropping out burns my cheeks.

I didn’t want to. Mimi was sick and bills were piling up.

It was my degree or Mimi. The choice was easy, but all anyone ever sees is that I’m a quitter.

They don’t see the human who barely survived losing yet another family member.

“Cassia is amazing,” Mace says, setting his water down.

“She knows what she’s doing, and before her grandma died, she was the top of her class.

Regardless of finishing her degree, she is one of the best and brightest.” His protectiveness warms my chest. I also didn’t realize Mace knew so much about my life.

Darius shakes his head. “Dropouts lack commitment.”

Okay, asshole . Irritation shots through my veins.

The only thing worse than a rich asshole, is a rich asshole who thinks you’re scum on the bottom of his shoes.

I have drive. I can get the jobs done. Plus, I know there are vulnerabilities within his own systems, but I can’t say any of that.

It may be my only advantage to get what Agent Smith wants. I have to grind my teeth and take it.

“Or maybe circumstances beyond their control force them out. Cassia is good. Probably better than half our development team.” This is the most he’s said all dinner.

I meet Mace’s gaze .

He nods at me. I’ve got your back .

It’s the first time we’ve ever been on the same side when someone is bullying me. Our talk the other day must have struck a chord.

“Regardless,” Darius says with a heavy exhale. “She’s probably ready to get busy being a housewife. Your mother was. As soon as she spread her legs?—”

“Darius,” Elaine chastises in the most gentle of ways, her voice very light and almost chuckling, like she finds it funny, but there’s devastation in her gaze. When was it she started to realize the man she married was her worst nightmare?

The man himself slams his fork down, glaring at his wife as if she berated him, and shoves away from the table. “Dinner is done.”

Elaine’s face goes pale. “Darius, love, please.” Her voice trembles.

My hackles rise.

Darius’s face is scarlet, his eyes flickering with rage. “Oh no, you’ve said enough, Elaine.” He scowls at the rest of us. “I want everyone OUT!”

Adalie and Melody flinch at his shout. My eyes narrow to slits.

This guy is an asshole. Mace stands. Everyone in the room holds their breath as the two men stare at one another.

Two titans at war. Mace’s fists are clenched.

Is he going to hit him? Do they fight like this a lot?

Why is no one saying anything about how terrible Darius is?

I already know the answer, though. They’ve grown up with the toxicity.

The irrational rage and vile words are nothing new.

They’ve probably seen worse from him. As for Elaine, my focus shifts to her, noting the slight tremble in her hands.

She sees me watching and tucks them in her lap, clasping them tight .

Somewhere along the way, Darius stole her light. I hate him.

“You have something to say Maccon?” Darius shouts.

“Mom and the girls will stay in the city.”

Darius lifts an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Three weeks. Two million?” he asks, gesturing to his family. “They stay in the city. Alone. No visitors.” Mace’s voice is hard enough to cut glass.

I’m so confused. Is he paying to get them out of the house?

Scowl deepening, Darius looks at his daughters and wife, estimating their worth. Should he fight for them? His eyes hold Elaine’s the longest. The coldness in his eyes sends a shudder down my spine.

“Get them out of my sight,” he spits before storming out of the room.

Mace waits a full thirty seconds before turning to his sisters. “You should go pack.”

They scramble out of their chairs.

“Bye, Cassia,” Adalie murmurs, ducking her head to avoid eye contact.

She and Melody leave. Elaine’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears. I don’t think they’ll fall. She reminds me a bit of how Rose used to be. Suffering in silence. Enduring terrible love for the mere chance of having any at all.

Mace crouches at her side. “Mom.” The desperation in his tone is so thick.

She pats his shoulder. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll go.”

The acquiescence isn’t surprising to me.

Darius was so angry. She should steer clear, but Mace drops his head, releasing a shaky breath, like he anticipated her refusal.

There’s so much painful history here that I don’t understand.

Now isn’t the time to ask. Elaine smiles down at her son, regret lining her features, and her eyes slowly shift to meet mine.

“You’ll take care of my son?”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation. The lie burns on the back of my tongue and guilt twinges inside my rib cage. I shove it aside, clinging to the resolve hardening in my stomach. The sympathy churning in my gut won’t change what needs to be done.

Mace’s fucked-up family aside, I still have to find evidence tying him to the mafia.