Ian cringed at the finality of her words while Sebastian watched her with growing hostility.
* * *
Sebastian brooded as he tossed back another drink. His brief discussion with Bradford made him feel impotent. The liquid courage helped a night from six years ago, flash in his mind.
He observed Cassie with a combined look of lust and hatred. He wasn't going to take a chance; he didn't care what the others thought. She might stand in the way of the plan.
Robby didn't answer his calls, so the problem was his to fix. All would soon know he could do more than just follow orders. Assured no one could see, he slid his fingers between Cassie's thighs. She flinched, thrusting his hand away so fiercely, his wrist hit the underside of the table with a bang. The tiny pill he dropped into her water would be taking effect at any moment.
Cassie pushed up to her feet, her green eyes blazing. "Pardon me."
"Is everything all right?" Ian asked. Cassie nodded.
* * *
Sebastian leered at the full sway of her hips as she walked away.
"What did you do to her, Ames?" Ian asked.
"Not a thing,yet, Chase." Contempt dripped from Sebastian's lips while Ian's eyes followed Cassie's hasty retreat.
"I need some air." Sebastian threw his napkin across his place setting.
Ian reached across the table and grabbed his wrist. "Stay clear of her."
Sebastian yanked his arm free. "Who made you my boss, Chase?" He stalked off toward the bar at the other side of the ballroom.
Senator Bynum leaned toward Ian. "I'm sorry, Mr. Chase. You understand matters of the heart. Rejection is tough at any age."
"Your aide is not making friends, Senator."
The statesman nodded. Ian ignored the warning tingle in the back of his neck and the burn in his gut. When his phone vibrated again, he excused himself to return the call.
* * *
"I'm going to the can," Cassie huffed in an aggravated tone.
"Roger that. Hope everything comes out all right," Wilds said.
Hector, Preston, and Brice were speaking with the local police and hotel security about the weapon breach. Quinn, Vincent, and Wilds remained to watch the senator.
The restroom was empty except for the attendant. Cassie smiled at the nice woman, then latched the stall door closed, barely making it inside to throw up. Wiping her lips with paper, she turned and sat. Cassie raised her dress to expose Sebastian's finger marks on her inner left thigh. "Bastard."
Her wrists rested on her knees, and she closed her eyes, shutting out the world around her. Her mind cleared as calming breaths filled her lungs. Her body came back under her control. "Almost home free."
Standing, a wave of dizziness hit her. She rested her hand on the stall door, hoping for it to pass. Feeling steadier, she straightened her dress.
Sebastian loomed over her as she opened the door, his face contorted with rage. The attendant lay on the floor in her peripheral vision. She had nowhere to run. "Sebastian, what are you doing here?"
She tapped her earwig, but there was only static. Her only escape route was through him.
"It's good to see you again, Cassiopeia. Are you sure you don't remember me?"
She remained calm. "I'm sorry, I don't."
He backed her up until the toilet hit the back of her knees, and she was forced to sit. "You disappoint me. We spent some quality time together six years ago. I guess I should cut you some slackâwe gave you a lot of drugs. You should be feeling the same effects soon."
Sebastian threw a handful of pepper in her face. Cassie's hands flew up to wipe the sting away. With a cruel smile, he lunged, lifting her off her feet by her throat. Her screams were stifled by his fingers closing.
