Without any visible effort, Cassian pulled Juliet firmly back against his chest, one strong arm wrapping securely around her waist while his free hand slipped casually into his trouser pocket.
The movement was smooth.
Effortless.
Possessive.
Juliet stumbled backward slightly before settling naturally against him.
Cassian's dark eyes settled on Vincent.
He hadn't raised his voice. Hadn't even frowned. Yet something about the way he looked at Vincent made the temperature around them seem to drop several degrees.
Vincent unconsciously stopped.
The sheer difference in presence between the two men became painfully obvious.
Cassian was calm.
Controlled.
Dangerously composed.
Vincent suddenly became aware that if he took one more step, things would escalate in a way that would humiliate him further.
Juliet looked up at Cassian briefly before turning back toward Vincent. To Vincent's disbelief, she actually smiled.
As though his reaction no longer affected her.
That smile made something inside Vincent snap.
Alexa quickly grabbed his arm.
"Vincent," she whispered urgently, pulling gently. "Calm down. Everyone's watching."
Only then did Vincent realize that dozens of eyes had gathered around them.
His face darkened further.
Griffin and Nolan immediately stepped forward, helping Alexa guide him back.
Vincent allowed himself to be led away, but his eyes never once left Juliet.
Even after he sat down at his assigned table, his posture remained rigid. His shoulders were tense, one hand clenched tightly against the armrest while the other still held the half-empty champagne glass.
Across the ballroom, Juliet released a quiet breath.
"That was exhausting," she muttered.
She turned, intending to walk toward their table. She had barely taken two steps before a strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.
With a startled yelp, Juliet found herself pulled backward directly into Cassian's chest.
His familiar scent instantly surrounded her.
"Cassian," she protested softly, looking up.
Cassian lowered his head, his lips brushing lightly against the shell of her ear.
