Chapter 3

• I shoved my phone back in my bag and gave Rafael a smile.
• “Go on. It’s late.”
• He stared at me for a few seconds, didn’t press, just pulled me into a hug.
• “I’m heading out then. Get some sleep. And don’t forget the ointment for that bruise on your waist.”
• He hopped out, waved at me from the curb, then turned and disappeared into the alley.
• I sat in the car, watching his back until he vanished around the corner. Only then did I start the engine and pull into the courtyard.
• The living room light was on.
• My stomach dropped. I pushed the door open and saw Cassian on the couch.
• An empty bottle sat in front of him. A few cigarette butts littered the floor.
• He looked up when I came in. His eyes were red as hell.
• “Where were you?” His voice was wrecked and hoarse, reeking of booze.
• I ignored him, changed my shoes, and headed upstairs.
• He shot to his feet, lunged over, and yanked me by the arm.
• “I asked where the hell you were! You went to see that boy toy of yours, didn’t you?”
• His grip was iron, digging into my arm until it hurt.
• I ripped free and fixed him with a cold stare.
• “What’s it to you?”
• “How is it not? You’re still my wife!”
• He was shouting so loud spit hit my face.
• I wiped my cheek and laughed.
• “Oh, so you remember I’m your wife? Funny you forgot when you brought Hannah into my house.”
• He choked on that, face draining then flushing.
• “Hannah and I are just fooling around.”
• “Fooling around?” I looked him dead in the eye. “You tattooed her name on your body for ‘fun,’ too?”
• Cassian’s face changed in an instant.
• His gaze flicked with panic before anger swallowed it up.
• “You went snooping?”
• “Do I need to snoop?” I stepped in, staring him down. “You all but shoved it in my face.”
• “Cassian, I’m not here to fight. I’ve already signed the divorce papers. You need to sign them, fast.”
• “I’m not signing!” he roared, grabbing me and hauling me into his chest. “I’m not divorcing you. Don’t even think about it!”
• He was strong as a vice. I struggled forever and still couldn’t break free.
• The mix of booze and his cedar cologne slammed into me and turned my stomach.
• “Let go of me!”
• “I won’t.” He buried his face in my hair, a faint tremor in his voice. “Vivienne, don’t do this. Let’s go back to the way we were, okay?”
• “I won’t see Hannah again. I’ll do right by you.”
• I went rigid. I could barely believe my ears.
• Those words, out of Cassian?
• I pushed at his shoulder. “Let me go. We can talk.”
• Instead he held me tighter. His mouth grazed my neck, hot.
• “I’m not letting go. The second I do, you’ll walk.”
• His hand slid up from my waist, rough and impatient, like he couldn’t wait.
• I thought of the bruise on my waist. I thought of him shoving me earlier to shield Hannah. Nausea rolled through me.
• I raised my hand and slapped him. Hard.
• The crack of it echoed through the living room.
• Cassian froze, his hold loosening.
• I shoved him off and backed up a couple steps.
• He covered his cheek, staring at me like he couldn’t believe it.
• “You hit me?”
• “Damn right I did.” I was breathing hard. “Cassian, don’t touch me. You disgust me.”
• His eyes went cold, the drunken haze burning off fast.
• “I disgust you? And that other guy of yours is so clean?”
• “He’s a thousand times cleaner than you.” I didn’t blink.
• He laughed—low and mean.
• “Fine. Great.”
• “Let’s see what’s cleaner—him, or my way of doing things.”
• He pulled out his phone and made a call.
• “Hey. Look into someone for me. Name’s Rafael Cross. Find out who he is.”
• My gut clenched. I reached for his phone.
• “Cassian, don’t you dare touch him!”
• He sidestepped me, hung up, and looked down his nose at me.
• “What? Feeling tender now?”
• “Listen up, Vivienne. As long as we’re not divorced, you’re still my wife.”
• “Anyone who lays a hand on you—I’ll make sure he can’t show his face in A City.”
• I stared at his swagger and suddenly laughed.
• “You still think you’re the powerful Cassian Mercer from three years ago?”
• “Without my family’s backing, the Dylan Group would’ve gone under ages ago.”
• “If you so much as lay a finger on Rafael, I’ll have Blackstone pull its money right now. Let’s see how you explain that to your family and your shareholders.”
• Cassian went sheet-white.
• He stared at me, completely at a loss for words.
• I left him there and headed upstairs.
• I shut my bedroom door and leaned against it, sweat cold on my back.
• Truth was, I was bluffing.
• Blackstone’s strong, sure, but Dylan’s got deep roots. If we really go to war, who wins is anyone’s guess.
• I pulled out my phone and texted Rafael.
• “If anyone gives you trouble in the next few days, tell me right away.”
• He replied fast: “What happened, Vivienne? Someone messing with you?”
• “No. Just a heads-up. Be careful.”
• “Don’t worry, Vivienne. I can protect myself. I can protect you too.”
• His reply settled me a little.
• By the time I went downstairs the next morning, Cassian was gone.
• There was breakfast on the table—sandwich and milk, still steaming.
• I stared at it for a long beat, then turned and dumped it in the trash.
• I’d just finished getting dressed for work when my assistant called.
• “Ms. Cross, bad news. The Dylan Group just announced they’re terminating all their deals with Blackstone.”
• I frowned. “Calm down. If they want to end it, fine. It’s not like we can’t live without them.”
• “But…” Her voice wobbled on the edge of tears. “They’re also spreading rumors that our cash flow’s dried up and we’re about to go bankrupt.”
• “The stock’s tanking. A bunch of shareholders are up in arms and want to see you.”
• I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Got it. I’m on my way.”
• I hung up and let out a cold laugh.
• Cassian—so these are your ‘methods’?
• As childish as you are. Pathetic.
• I drove to the office. The second I walked in, a swarm of shareholders closed in.
• “Vivienne, tell us straight—is the company really going under?”
• “Did you piss off the Mercers and drag us all down with your feud?”
• “If you can’t handle this, step down already!”
• Everyone was talking over everyone else, headache-inducing.
• I lifted a hand to quiet them.
• “Everyone, settle down.”
• “Dylan cutting ties is their loss. Blackstone can live without anybody.”
• “As for the rumors, I’ll hold a press conference right away to set the record straight. The stock will bounce back.”
• “Give me three days. If I can’t fix this, I’ll step down on my own.”
• They traded looks, then slowly dispersed.
• I walked into my office. I’d barely sat down when my phone rang.
• Unknown number.
• I answered, and Hannah’s sugary, coy voice poured through.
• “Vivienne, I heard your company’s in trouble?”
• “If you apologize to Cassian and take back the divorce, I’ll have him go easy on your company.”
• I leaned back and laughed.
• “Hannah, did you hit your head?”
• “You really think Cassian runs the world?”
• She paused, then snapped, “I’m giving you a way out and you’re turning it down. How stupid can you be!”
• “Cassian’s in my bed right now. He said if you drop the divorce, he’ll let you keep the Mercer Mrs. title. It’ll just be for show, but you should be grateful.”
• “Otherwise, your Blackstone Group can wait to go bust!”
• I was about to answer when my office door flew open.
• My assistant rushed in, pale as a sheet.
• “Vivienne—there are tons of intimate photos of Cassian and Hannah all over the internet, and… and there’s security footage from three years ago, on your wedding night—him leaving you home alone and going to a hotel with another woman!”