His gaze bore into mine. The air grew suffocating between us. This was the first time we’d really looked at each other in over a decade. He’d been the hottest guy at school when we were together. Now he was ridiculously handsome, even with a swollen eye and bruised face. Filled out with muscles, a razor-sharp jaw beneath his trimmed beard, and those lips pursed together. I swallowed, recalling how I’d get lost in them.
In his cold-as-ice gaze, I recognized remorse and disgust.
“Go clean up,” Storm finally told Zach. “She’s not going anywhere.”
Our eyes stayed connected. I wouldn’t dare cut the connection between us.
Fight or flight.
I wasn’t the same girl he once shattered. I’d been to Hell and back, locked in the Devil’s gold tower. I could take anything Zach dished out.
“Go,” I hissed, glaring at him.
He sneered, then stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
I sagged against Lynx, dropping my chin to my chest, and held my wrist to my body protectively.
“We should check the damage, sweetheart,” Lynx whispered.
“No time for that,” Storm said. “Ciro will be calling soon.”
“Ciro?” I flew off Lynx’s lap, but his arm went around my hips to hold me in place. “You told him I was here?” I screeched. Was this guy an idiot? I was sure as dead now!
Storm sighed. “Relax, Aspen. Ciro is on our side.”
I shook my head, unable to hold back my tears. “Ciro Remotti is Cass’s cousin. They may be estranged, but they’re family. They’d take Cass’s side in a war.” I was gonna be sick. My hopes of being free faltered, along with my legs.
Lynx caught me as I fell, easing me back onto his lap. His hand cradled my cheek. “You’re safe, sweetheart. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“But what about the rest of you? The women in the club? Cass won’t blink an eye, killing every last one of you.” A shudder rolled through me, thinking of the women who were so kind to me earlier.
How could I come here? What had I been thinking? Bringing Casso Campbell to the doorstep of the people I loved?
To Jill, I meant. Not Zach. Though I’d never wish for any harm to come to him or his old lady.
Nobody spoke, the whole room silent as the grave. Dread welled in my chest as we waited. Casso would blame me for losing the baby. He’d probably think I did it on purpose. Then he’d kill me.
I jumped when the door swung open.
Zach entered, face clean and a fresh shirt, eyes locked on me. What did he do, run? He wasn’t gone for more than a few minutes. He kicked the door closed and reached his clean hand out. “Please,” he muttered.
Please what? I didn’t understand all the drama over me sitting with… sittingona man’s lap. Zach threw me away a long time ago. Was it about power? A show of dominance? If so, that was barbaric and not something I wanted to be involved in. Been there, done that.
“You don’t have to, sweetheart,” Lynx whispered in my ear.
Hero stood abruptly, grabbing my chair, and brought it around, putting it next to Zach’s. He gave us a curt nod, returning to his seat.
Zach’s frigid stare didn’t leave me. I didn’t want to cause any more trouble than I already had, so I reluctantly took his hand.
Have I learned anything?
An electric bolt shot through me at first touch, much like the first time we met. I stifled the urge to gasp and quickly sat down, slipping my hand out of his. Familiar sensations pummeled me. It was maddening to feel this way after hating him for so long. Warmth shouldn’t rush through my body. My heart shouldn’t flutter as it had when we were together.
This wasn’t okay. Zach Harrisburg meant nothing. He’d been dead to me far longer than I had loved him when I was a stupid teenager.
“For fuck’s sake, I hate all this goddamn drama,” Storm muttered. “Can we get on with this shit, now?” He cut his eyes at Zach.
“Yeah, sorry.” Zach shifted in his chair, leaning forward to put his arms on the table. He was huge. Casso worked out religiously and had a restrictive diet he forced upon me. He was lean and muscular, but Zach was on a whole other level.