Page 12 of Fired at the Heart

Rico scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief. “How am I supposed to do that when you’re the one running back to him after everything he did?”

My jaw clenches, the muscles in my neck tightening. “I’m not running back to him. I’m doing what needs to be done.”

Cassian speaks from behind me, his words bitter with accusation. “Was what happened between you today what needed to be done?”

Irritation flares at his words, at the possessiveness underscoring each syllable. I turn to face him, my posture stiffening. “I don’t answer to you, Cassian. I’m more than capable of handling Raphael on my own.”

Cassian’s jaw clenches, a muscle twitching beneath the faded scar on his cheek. “Yeah, I can smell how much you handled him from over here.”

Anger surges through me. “I know what I’m doing, and I don’t need you second-guessing my every move.”

Cassian takes a step closer. “I’m not second-guessing you! I’m trying to keep you safe, which I can’t do when you’re bending over for?—”

“Finish that sentence, and we’re going to have a problem,” I say, a deadly calm settling over me.

The silence stretches between us, Cassian’s face flushed with anger. “Maybe I need to cool my head.”

“Maybe you do.” I point to the door. “If you can’t get yourself under control, don’t bother showing up for the next meeting.”

The muscle in Cassian’s jaw twitches before he turns on his heel and slams out the front door, the echo reverberating through my bones.

I blow out a long breath, trying to regain my composure.

“Well, fuck.” Rico throws himself back onto the couch.

“Was making him my second-in-command the wrong move?” I ask.

Rico snorts. “Not like any of us Betas wanted the job.”

“Yeah.” I glare at them. “Fuck all of you for that.”

Lena shoves her knife into its sheath. “Are you still in love with Raphael?”

I reel back as if slapped. “What? No! I?—”

“Don’t lie to us, Avery.” Lena cuts me off. “We deserve to be told exactly what we’re walking into. And despite being a bastard, heisyour mate.”

My mouth opens to protest, to deny her accusations, but the words stick in my throat. Because I don’t lie to my family, and I do still want Raphael. After everything. Even after all the pain he caused, I still yearn for him, still crave his touch like a drug.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say instead. “After this job, things will be settled for good.”

“It matters tosomeone.” Rico frowns toward the door where Cassian disappeared. “In case you’ve missed the signs, he’s trying to take Raphael’s place.”

I gulp the rest of the rum and refill my glass. “I’m aware.”

It’s in the way Cassian watches me, stands too close, and lets his touch linger. I might’ve pretended before, but after his offer to help me through my Heats, there’s no ignoring it now.

I scan the room. Lena’s lips are tight with sharp disapproval, Jace stays silent, and Rico…

His leg starts bouncing with agitation. “We love you, Avery, and any of us would take a bullet for you. But Cassian…”

“He’s too devoted,” Lena supplies. “Maybe even dangerous.”

I think back to all the times he’s put himself in harm’s way for me, all the times he’s gone above and beyond the call of duty. At first, I thought it was just his way of proving himself, of earning his place on the team.

Four days ago, I would have defended him without question. Now?

Still, he hasn’t crossed the line. Yet.

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