Chapter 19
Marcus sat across from me, his unexpected appearaner a welcome distraction from the chaos of the past forty–eight hours.
Isolde was three glasses deep, drunkenly swaying to some sappy reconciliation song she’d convinced the DI to play the same song that had been playing when Caspian said goodnight and left earlier.
I was still unsettled by that moment – the intensity in his eyes when he’d walked past our table, the quiet “See you tomorrow that felt more like a promise than a pleasantry.
But now, thirty minutes and two glasses of wine later, the front door swung open and there he was again, striding back in with purpose.
He went straight to the bar, ordered a whiskey, and barely acknowledged the woman in the criminally short dress who immediately tried to get his attention. “Marcus,” I grabbed his wrist suddenly, my voice dropping to an urgent whisper. I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend. Right now.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Let me guess–this is about that ridiculously hot quarterback who hasn’t stopped staring at you?”
That’s Caspian Drake. My client now. Things have gotten… complicated.”
“Wow, so NFL’s golden boy is totally into you?” A mischievous grin spread across his face. “You don’t seem entirely upset about it.”
“Fuck you, Marcus! i hissed.
“You know my history. You know what he did. That’s why I need you to be my boyfriend-
o he gets the message I’m not interested.”
“Why not just fuck him and get it out of your system?” Marcus took a long swallow of his drink. “The man is built like a Greek god, he’s an NFL star, and judging by how he’s looking at you
“Are you fucking serious right now
“Come on,
don’t be so uptight! A one–night stand never killed anyone. I’ve heard NFL players have amazing staming…
- ud. “I hate you
I dropped my head onto the table with a thud.
Ever since that high school heartbreak, you’ve been living like a damn nun. Six years, Sage. You need to get laid.”
I lifted my head, meeting his eyes with complete sincerity
“Just help me this once, okay? Robert just got arrested, Victoria is threatening my career, and Morgan & Wright might fire me tomorrow.”
Marcus’s expression softened. Fine, I’ll be your knight tonight. Though he might actually punch me
1scood
up, tugging at his hand. Just follow my lead. He’s watching us, fuck.”
We’d barely made it three steps when Marcus’s arm slid around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.
Caspian was already moving through the crowd, his expression murphing from confusion to something dark and dangerous
“Sage,” his voice was low and tight. Didn’t expect to see you here. His eyes locked on Marcus’s hand at my wasst.
“Who the fuck is this?” he asked bluntly, shoulders squid like he was lin
was lining up for a tackle.
are no scandals during
ensure there are no
“By the way,” I said, noticing the woman at the bar was now gone, who was that woman you were talking to? We need to ensure your contrat dapate!
His jo tightened, a vein throbbing at his temple.
“That s Helena, the team physician. She was fucking asking about my shoulder injury!”
felt a stab of guilt and, oddly, disappointment. “Oh
th— sorry, I was just concerned about your case
I straightened my spine, pulling Marcus’s band
“This is my boyfriend, Marcus. Marcus, this is my client, Caspian Drake ”
Chapter 19
“Boyfriend?” Caspian’s expression flickered with hurt before hardening. Interesting. You never mentioned having a boyfriend.”
Marcus extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, man. Heard a lot about you. Sage has been working late nights on your contract issues.”
Caspian ignored the outstretched hand.
“Funny, she’s been spending so much time with mor lately instead of you. If her boyfriend is so concerned.”
“My girl needs her work space,” Marcus’s voice cooled
“But I hear you’ve been putting pressure on her, demanding private meetings. That’s crossing lines, dude.”
Caspian stepped closer, using his height advantage.
“It’s a complex legal situation that requires time and focus. If handled correctly, it could be a massive boost for Sage’s career.”
He turned to me. “Are you sure you want to mix personal feelings with our case?”
I swallowed hard. “My personal life doesn’t affect my professional capabilities, Mr. Drake.”
Marcus pulled me closer. “You can’t have her all to yourself, quarterback.”
Caspian’s expression turned cold. “Just don’t let personal relationships cloud your professional judgment, Counselor Winters.”
He stalked back to the bar, downing his whiskey in one fluid motion.
Marcus whispered when we returned to our booth.
“He totally bought it,” M
“Though he looked ready to tear me limb from limb”
I peered through the crowd.
“He’s still watching us. Shit, he looks like an angry bulldog.”
Marcus leaned close. “Then we should make this more convincing.”
Before I could react, his hands cupped my face and his lips pressed against mine.
My eyes widened in shock, but I played along, even wrapping my arms around his neck.
When we separated, Caspians expression was that of a man who’d been gut–punched.
“Wow, I may swing both ys, but you’re not a had kisser, Winters.”
I pushed against his chest. “Shut up, you jerk. “
“We should probably go.” Marcus said, glancing at our comatose friend. ‘Get you guys home. Ethics Committer meeting tomorrow, right?”
We roused Isolde, who mumbled incoherently as we guided her toward the exit.
efully toward the door.
Caspian abruptly stood, paid his tab, and started walking purposefully
To my surprise, he didnt even look at us as he passed, deliberately bumping Maresis shoulder before disappeating into the night,
Marcus rubbed his shoulder, laughing. “Jesus, he a completely in love with yusi, Sage.
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words died as my phone screen lit up with a notification.
social media alem – Rachel Miller had just tagged herself a bar thine blocks away. My stepsister and Robert’s daughter, emerging from the shadow
lar father was in custody,
“What’s wrong?” Marcus asked, noticing
noticing my sudden pullor
1 shnok my brad. “Nothing, probably just tired.
As we stepped into the cool night air, my phone buzzed with
ssage from an unknown number: Playing fake boyfriend games now, Sage? Some lies can
Chapter 19
get people hurt. Even NFL stars aren’t bulletproof -R
I nearly dropped my phone, stating at the test in horror. It wasn’t from Robert–he was in custody. The “R” signature suddenly took on new meaning–Rachel
not Robert
ras mounted near the entrance.
Glancing up, I caught sight of the restaurant’s security cameras
Then it hit me–Michael Bennett, the restaurant m
manager, had been unusually accommodating to Victoria tonight, despite their past friction when she tried to commandeer the space from Morgan & Wright’s reservation.
“What’s wrong?” Marcus asked, following my gaze to the cameras,
“Someone’s watching us,” I whispered. “Victoria must have pressured Michael to give Rachel access to the security feeds.”
As if confirming my suspicion, another text arrived: You put on quite a show in there. The kiss was a nice touch. Tou had Caspian didn’t appreciate it.
The message was clear: one Miller was down, but another had just entered the game.
