Chapter 42: Jealous Confrontation
Chapter 42: Jealous Confrontation
(Olivia’s POV)
“Cassius Shadowcrest,” I mumbled, my head lolling against the man’s shoulder. “That’s his name.
The room was still spinning, and I couldn’t focus on the face of the man supporting me. His scent was intoxicating–a rich blend of forest and something distinctly masculine that reminded me of authority and
power.
“I see,” he replied, his voice deep and smooth. “And where do you know this Cassius Shadowcrest from?”
I giggled, poking his chest with my finger. “Business… meetings. He’s so… serious. But his eyes… have you seen his eyes? They’re like silver moonlight.”
The man’s strong arms wrapped around my waist as he helped me stand. “I think it’s time to get you home,
Ms. Oasis.”
“Call me Livvy,” I slurred, stumbling against him. “Everyone calls me Livvy.”
He steadied me with ease, his grip firm yet gentle. “Let’s go, Livvy.”
As he guided me out of the private room, I squinted up at him. “Are you one of Lily’s entertainment guys?
You’re too… too handsome to be real.”
A low chuckle vibrated through his chest. “No, I’m not hired by Lily Bennett.”
“Then who are you?” I asked, my words running together as we made our way through the now–empty
restaurant.
“Someone making sure you get home safely,” he replied simply.
The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside, momentarily clearing my foggy brain. I noticed a sleek obsidian Audi A8 waiting at the curb, its engine purring softly.
“Nice car,” I mumbled appreciatively.
Before we could reach it, a familiar figure stepped into our path. Graham Storm stood with his arms crossed, his expression thunderous.
“Olivia, I’ve been waiting for you,” Graham said, his tone clipped. “I’ll drive you home.”
The man beside me tensed. “That won’t be necessary.”
Graham’s eyes narrowed as he took in the stranger’s protective stance. “And who exactly are you to decide
that?”
“Someone who knows she wouldn’t want to see you right now,” the man replied coolly.
“Is that so?” Graham stepped closer, his jaw clenched. “And what exactly are your intentions with my mate?” “Ex–mate,” I corrected, wagging my finger unsteadily. “Ex–ex–ex.”
The man supporting me straightened to his full height, which I now realized was impressively tall. “Jason Miller,” he introduced himself smoothly. “And I believe Ms. Oasis has made her position clear.”
< Chapter 42: Jealous Confr
Graham scoffed. “Jason Miller? I’ve never heard of you.”
“That’s not surprising,” the man–Jason–replied. “But I’ve heard plenty about you, Mr. Storm. Particularly how you abandoned Ms. Oasis on your mating day for her half–sister.”
Graham’s face darkened. “You don’t know anything about our situation.”
“I know enough,” Jason countered, each word precise and cutting. “I know you’re currently in the process of dissolving your mate bond. I know Ms. Oasis has moved on. And I know you should do the same.
Graham took a threatening step forward, but Jason didn’t flinch. Instead, he smoothly guided me toward the waiting car, where a driver had appeared to open the door.
“This isn’t over,” Graham called after us.
“It was over the moment you chose Bella,” Jason replied without looking back.
Once inside the luxurious car, I sank into the buttery leather seats with a contented sigh. The interior smelled expensive–like fine leather and subtle cologne.
Jason handed me a bottle of water. “Drink this. It has herbs that will help clear your head.”
I accepted the bottle, taking a small sip. The water tasted faintly of mint and something else I couldn’t
identify. “You smell like him,” I said suddenly.
“Like who?” he asked, his expression unreadable in the dim lighting.
“Cassius Shadowcrest,” I replied, taking another sip. “Same cologne, I think. It’s nice… woodsy and powerful.”
A hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Is that so?”
I nodded enthusiastically, my inhibitions completely gone. “You even look a little like him. But you’re probably younger, right? I should call you younger brother.”
“I’m not entertainment staff,” he repeated, his silver eyes–remarkably similar to Cassius Shadowcrest’s- glinting with amusement.
“Then who are you?” I asked again, leaning closer to sniff his collar. “And what is that cologne? I want to buy
it for… for someone.”
The car suddenly braked at a red light, sending me lurching forward. Jason’s arm shot out, catching me before I could hit the seat in front of us.
“Careful,” he murmured, helping me unbuckle my seatbelt and pulling me closer to prevent me from tumbling
forward again.
His touch sent an unexpected warmth through my body. In my drunken state, I misinterpreted the gesture
entirely.
“Are you flirting with me?” I asked, giggling. “Because I should warn you, I’m terrible at retionships. Just ask Graham. Six years together and he still left me at the altar for my half–sister.”
Jason’s expression softened slightly. “I’m just making sure you don’t hurt yourself.”
“That’s what they all say,” I sighed dramatically. “But let me tell you something.” I leaned in conspiratorially. “No man is good enough for me. Not even one with silver eyes and a scent that makes me want to swoon.”
The car pulled up to a familiar building–my apartment complex. I frowned in confusion.
< Chapter 42. Jealous Confi
“How do you know where I live?” I asked, suddenly suspicious despite my intoxication.
Before I could get an answer, Jason had exited the car and come around to my side. Without warning, he scooped me into his arms as if I weighed nothing.
“Put me down!” I protested weakly, though I secretly enjoyed the feeling of being cradled against his broad
chest.
“You can barely walk,” he pointed out reasonably.
As we entered the building, my head began to clear slightly. The herbal water was working its magic, bringing me back from complete intoxication to merely tipsy.
“Seriously, how do you know my address?” I asked again, my hand instinctively reaching for the emergency pepper spray in my purse.
The man sighed, finally dropping the pretense. “I’m Cassius Shadowcrest.”
I blinked up at him in shock. “What?”
“I saw you drunk at Moonlight Palace,” he explained as we reached my door. “That Hunter Walsh was trying to take advantage of you. I intervened.”
My mind raced, trying to process this information through the alcoholic haze. “But… why? And how did you know I was there?”
“Abigail is my sister,” he said simply. “She called me when she saw you were too intoxicated to get home
safely.”
I fumbled for my keys, which Cassius–not Jason–smoothly extracted from my purse. He unlocked the door and carried me inside, setting me gently on my sofa.
“I’ll leave now that you’re home safely,” he said, turning to go.
“Wait!” I called, grabbing his sleeve. The movement made my head spin, but I held on. “You’re really Cassius Shadowcrest? The Cassius Shadowcrest?”
He nodded, his expression guarded. “Yes.”
“Prove it,” I challenged, still not entirely convinced.
A hint of amusement crossed his features. “We met at the Shadowcrest Military Research Facility. You’re designing ceremonial attire for my mother’s birthday celebration. And you once asked me if I was following
you.”
I stared at him, memories of our previous encounters flooding back. “It is you,” I whispered. “But how did you know my address?”
“I had Walter Jenkins look it up,” he admitted. “I apologize for the intrusion, but I was concerned for your
safety.”
I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, I relaxed slightly. “Thank you for bringing me home.”
He nodded and turned to leave again.
“Wait,” I said, my hand catching his sleeve once more. “Don’t go yet. I have questions.”
<Chapter 42: Jealous Confr
Cassius hesitated, then settled into the chair across from me. His silver eyes warmed slightly as he regarded me with a patience few men possessed.
“What would you like to know?” he asked.
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