Chapter 20
Caspian’s Perspective
slammed through Le Blanc’s dour and into the night, a jealous rage burning through my veins.
That kiss–Marens’s hands cupping Sage’s face, her arms wrapping around his neck–replayed in my mind like torto
tortime
Six years of searching for her, only to watch her kiss another mail..
After walking several blocks, I stopped and looked back.
There was Marcus, standing alone outside a convenience store, thumbs flying across his phone screen with th
Before I could think better of it, I was walking toward him.
that smug smile I wanted to punch off his face.
“Well, well, star quarterback!” He raised an eyebrow dramatically. “Coming to beat me up? I saw that look in your eyes back there–could we killed someone.”
“I just want to know what’s going on with you and Sage,” I said, keeping my voice dangerously low. “When exactly did this relationship happen?”
“Oh, my Sage! His grin widened.
“We’ve known each other since college. Kept in touch, and recently decided to make things official. Why? Jealous?”
“She’s never mentioned you. Not once.
“Work and personal life–separate things.” He shrugged. “We were long–distance for a while, but now I’m back in New York for good. From now on, well be
“Tell me what you like about her.”
“God, where do I start?” Marcus tilted his head back theatrically.
K
“She’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. That body drives me crazy! Those lips, so soft and sweet–they feel incredible. And don’t get me started on that perfect waist and those thighs. Honestly, I can barely keep my hands off her.”
Each word was acid in may wins, I wanted to slam my list into his perfectly straight teeth
“Thanks for your honesty,” I managed, barely containing the threat in my voice..
“Anytime.” His smile didn’t nach his eyes.
“Oh, and some free advice–show Sage some respect. I know you’re a NFL god with millions of uns, but Sage isn’t your groupie. She’s more sensitive than you think.”
With that, he winked and disappeared around the corner, leaving me standing there with clenched fists and a burning in my chest I couldn’t extinguish.
Two days later, righty thousand screaming fons filled Victory Center, but I might as well have been underwater.
The plays, the players, even the crowd–everything moved in slow motion, distorted by memories of Sage in another man’s arms
“Caspian, wake up! LEFT SIDE! LEFT SIDE!” Blake’s agent shout finally penetrated the fog.
I looked up just in time to see a defensive lineman beating down on HIM.
Instead of sidestepping, something snapped inside me. I lowered my shoulder and drove it straight into the guy’s chest, sending him flying-
The whistle shrieked, yellow flags sailing through the air..
“Player number 15, unecessary roughsat Fifteen–yard penalty!!
The defender scrambled up, charging toward me. “You fucking crazy? Want to end up in the hospital after the game?”
“Drake! Coaches voice cut through my thoughts. Focus on the game! One more like that and you’re benched!”
I nodded mechanically, but even as I jogged back to position, I know something was broken in me
Chapter 20
For the first time in my life. American football wasn’t enough to drown out everything else…
“What the fuck was that?” Make demanded in the locker room after our narrow win. Tve never seen you in aff your game. You nearly cost us everything our
there.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” I didn’t look up, focusing on unbuckling my pads.
Sorry isn’t good enough. You’re the soul of this team. You can’t just lose your shit on the field like some teenager.”
I finally met his eyes, exhaustion flooding through me. “I get it. Wen’t happen again.”
“It’s that lawyer girl, isn’t it? His expression softened slightly. “Whatever she did to you, don’t bring it onto the field.”
- me. I was still pa
He was right. Six years after that stupid bet that changed everything between Sage and me, I was
Hours later, I sat at our l
paying for it–just in a different way.
post–game bar, nursing my third whiskey when I felt fingertips trailing up my spine.
Victoria Palmes slid onto the stool beside me, her red nails stark against my dark jacket, her black dress barely covering anything-
“Hello, star.” Her voice was a practiced purr. “Buy me a drink?”
She pressed her thigh against mine, her hands continuing their suggestive path.
I should have felt something–anything–but all I could think was how different this felt from sitting next to Sage. How empty.
I mechanically ordered her complicated cocktail. While the bartender mixed it, she practically draped herself against me, her hands roaming freely.
“We should continue this at your place,” she suggested, her nails digging into my thigh. “I bet your bed is as… big as you are.”
1 removed her hand firmly.
d firmly. Not tonight. I’m not in the mood.”
The transformation was instant. Victoria’s seductive smile hardened into a cold, tight line. “Are you fucking kidding me? Wasting my time, asshole!”
She stormed out, cursing. I sighed heavily, letting my forehead thump against the bar.
Blake burst into laughter beside me, “Holy shit! The great Caspian Drake turning down Victoria Palmer? Is the world ending?”
“I’m not acting weird,” I protested weakly. Just had too much to drink.”
“Bullshit.” Blake’s grin was knowing. “You’re in love, man. It’s that little firecracker lawyer, isn’t it? Never thought I’d see a woman bring Caspian Drake to his
“Shut up.” I groaned, tossing back another shot,
As I stared at my reflection in the mirror behind the bar, my phone buzzed. The message preview made my heart stop:
Daddy’s locked up, but our business with Sage isn’t finished. We should talk. Rachel Miller
Rachel Sage’s stepsister, Roberts daughter. The woman who watched from the shadows while her father tormented Sage for years.
I threw cash on the bar and stood, ignoring Blake’s confused questions.
Rachel reaching out now, with Bubert in custody, couldn’t be a coincidence,
The last time I’d glimpsed her–the night Sage fled her home–she’d been standing in the doorway, watching with cold calculation as her father lied about Sage’s whereabouts.
Six years searching for Sage only to have her vengeful stepsister emerge from the shadows–right when everything was falling apart. Whatever sick game the Millers were playing, it wasn’t over.
As 1 pushed through the bar door into the night, dread settled in my gut like concrete
I
Rachel was more dangerous than her father–smarter, more patient, more precise. If she was making her move now, Sage was in serious trouble
And this time, I wouldn’t stand by and watch her get hurt–even if Sage hated me for interfering. Even if she was kissing someone else.
