Page 104 of Lyrical

I knew for a fact that if she were well and coherent, this wouldn’t have happened. She would’ve been my extra set of ears and eyes, and Cassie would not have gotten away with this. She was one fucking evil bitch.

I scooted down closer to him. “I can see for my own eyes how bad this looks, and my heart is shredding just thinking of what you had to be going through.”

Cassie. Must. Die.

I rested my head on his arm, tears welling up. “I would never hurt you like that, Chase. Ever. I would never ruin what we have, cheat on you for anybody in this world, much less random strangers. As horrible and disturbing as that picture looks, I need you to believe that with everything in you. I need you to believe me. I—” I couldn’t continue because the sobs were choking me out.

“I believe you, Jillian.”

“But….” He also sounded like he wanted to rip my head off.

He cradled my face in his hands. “I said I believe you.”

“You’re angry at me.”

He touched his forehead to mine. “No, I’m just angry. Do you think you’re the only one who’s extremely pissed off over this?”

“No.” Of course not. He had more than a right to be just as mad as me.

“Do you know where these guys are from, where I can find them?”

“No, Chase, just—”

“Do you have any idea what I’d like to do to them for laying their hands on you?”

“Chase.” I grabbed his hands and brought them down to my lap. “I know that Cassie put them up to this, somehow convinced them it was okay to do what they did. I don’t blame them. Not after I know what happened.”

“Don’t make excuses for them. They had no right to touch you.”

I sighed. He was right, and even if I didn’t believe that, I’d never be able to change his mind otherwise. Not when it came to something like this. But I didn’t want the situation to get any worse either.

“I’ll never see them again. Please, let it go.”

“No.” His jaw ticked, and I ran my finger over the rough edge. He pulled it to his lips, kissing the tip. “It was hard enough just dealing with that asshole Jeff threatening to touch you. Then I had to find out that someone actually did.”

“Jeff?” How did he suddenly come into this? Shit. “He was at the party?” I asked, already knowing the answer. “What do you mean threatening to touch me?”

“I need you to stay away from him, Jillian.”

“I already do. I never see him anymore.”

His jaw ticked again. “I mean it. If he comes around—”

I put my fingers across his mouth. I didn’t want him worked up all over again. “If he comes around, I’ll stay away, okay? But just know that Jeff has never been anything other than a gentleman to me. He’s not going to do anything.”

He pulled my hand down. “He’s a fucking prick, Jillian. Trust me on this one.”

I had so many unanswered questions hitting from so many directions.

“I have to go now, baby,” he said, wrapping his arms around me.

“Go? Now?” I knew I had to get moving too, but we felt unfinished. I still needed him there with me.

“I have some things to take care of. Not to mention ten hours of work to finish in five while trying to do it all at one-fifth capacity.”

“But I am still seeing you tonight, right?”

“I’m going to try like hell, Jillian.”

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