The only thing harder than saying the words is seeing El’s reaction to them. I’m telling her it was a mistake, and she’s hearing it loud and clear. I force myself to face the humiliation and shame flooding her this time. It’s my own damn fault, but Fiz came in and brought a bundle of bullshit clarity with him. My foggy brain’s cleared and I realise how badly I might have fucked up.
I reach forward and plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
She cowers away from me then and sinks down onto the floor. “Night, Alfie.”
My jaw clenches. Burning guilt sparks through my muscles. “Goodnight, El.”
I get off the bed and storm out the door, walking straight past Fiz, who follows.
“Couldn’t help yourself, could ya, big boy?”
“Shut up, Fiz, I’m not in the mood.”
He stays on my heels all the way to the kitchen. The party’s died down, everyone either gone or paired up in some bedroom for the rest of the night.
Caden’s in here though, sitting at the kitchen island, phone in his hand. Flat brows and a deadly glimmer in his eyes.
I don’t let the discomfort show, head straight to the coffee machine, not giving a fuck it’s the middle of the night.
Fiz takes a seat beside Cade, so when I turn around with my coffee, they’re both facing me, making me feel like I’m in fucking court.
“Have a good night?” I know from the condemning tone that he’s been watching the cameras.
I blow my cheeks out. I know it’s bad, but I just don’t care. I’ve got no energy to feel bad. “It was until Fiz marched in.”
“He did you a favour. If you made her come, you know she would have been punished. He saved your little girlfriend.”
I come over to the counter, resting my palms on the cold surface and leaning forward. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s your fucking fiancé and somehow, she likes me more. How’s that, Cade? Because you have no idea how to be nice to a woman. She’s terrified of you. You pushed her into my arms.”
Cade lifts his hands and clasps them in front of him. “Just another one of your knight in shining armour moments, right? You just love playing hero.”
I shake my head, grab my coffee and plop down on the stool. “It’s not like that and you know it. We’ve all been horny as fuck, I just got carried away.”
He scoffs. “Yeah, course, like I haven’t watched you with her for two weeks. You’ve been eyeing her up, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.”
“And what of it?” I spit, defences shooting up. “Cade, she’s a nice piece of fucking ass. She’s smart, she’s sensible, she’s actually quite funny, if you gave her a chance to say anything other than backchat. She’s resilient, strong, she’s pretty. She’s a great girl. But you’re so far into this ‘she’s unworthy’ bullshit, you’re clouding your own vision.”
Cade’s eyes darken in that way they do when he doesn’t want to admit something. Denial swelling in them and defences shooting up. “She isn’t worthy. We worked our asses off to earn the respect and status we have now. She’s done nothing to show us she’s anything but a bratty little slut. She comes from greed and poor decisions. I see her for what she is. You don’t.”
“That’s not her though, is it, that’s her father. She had nothing to do with his choices, she’s just the tech girl.”
“You don’t know that, though. You said it yourself, she’s smart. And she sure as fuck is sly. You don’t know her, Alf, andshe’s got you wrapped around her finger. You don’t know what I know.”
I cross my arms. “And what do you know?”
Fiz looks at him with a frown.
He drums his fingers on the counter. “I just know she’s no good. We shouldn’t trust her.”
“Wait,” Fiz cuts in, “what do you know, Cade?”
Caden keeps his face blank. “Nothing. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant you don’t know her like I do. She’s not to be trusted.”
Fiz gives me an incredulous look.
He knows something, but why would he want to withhold it? Maybe he doesn’t have proof. I won’t believe him unless he can prove whatever claim he wants to make.
“Will you listen to yourself?” I say. “You couldn’t get control of her and you’re bitter about it. But I can get her to do anything I want, because I’ve treated her like a human being. You should get your head out your ass and try doing the same. Now you’re keeping her here for the rest of her life, you might as well try.”
