Page 58 of Filthy Little Regrets

“But does she like you, Mace?” Crue continues, pausing to slowly let his eyes rove over me. “Beautiful.”

The compliment has my cheeks burning for more than one reason. Crue is attractive, and apparently, he has a solid set of balls because Mace is right there.

“Motherfucker,” Mace growls. “Cassia, baby, get up.”

Eyebrows pinching together at the use of the nickname, I get ready to tell him no, but then I spot the absolutely murderous look on his face and think better of it. Rose stands with me, grabbing my hand and scurrying away in the nick of time. Mace launches his tumbler at Crue. Amber liquor flies through the air and the crystal arcs toward Crue, who merely laughs and catches the cup, holding it up and tipping the last few drops into his mouth.

“Thanks, I was thirsty.”

“Gym. Now,” Mace snaps, unbuttoning his suit jacket, tugging it off, and tossing it to the floor in the same careless way he’s thrown the phones. The five-thousand-dollar tux is pennies to him.

“This’ll be fun.” Crue rolls his neck, stretching side to side, before standing and sauntering into the hallway.

What is happening?

Dare’s hand on Mace’s chest is the only thing that’s keeping him from storming after him. Remy scrubs his hand over his face, looks at Mace, shakes his head, and glances at me and Rose.

“Do you guys want to come with me?”

“And miss Crue getting his ass kicked?” Rose asks. “Absolutely not. Come on.” She grabs my hand and drags me after Crue.

“What’s going on?”

“Crue thinks he can kick Mace’s ass. They decided to test that theory.”

My gaze flies over my shoulder, meeting Mace’s. His nostrils flare, jaw muscles rippling as Dare speaks into his ear. He notices me, but that only seems to piss him off more.

I scowl at him. “What the fuck is his problem?”

Rose glances back, smirks, then shoots me a knowing look. “Crue flirted with you.”

“I didn’t reciprocate.”

She stops and turns, grabbing my hand. “I’m going to hold your hand when I tell you this. Your husband is going to be a jealous, possessive monster, but once you let him in, you’ll come to love that part of him.”

“Speaking from experience, I see.”

She glances at the guys. “Dare and Mace aren’t so different. They’d both kill for the people they love.”

I blow out a breath. “This is all so comforting.”

“I support you being sad or mad right now. I was pissed, as you know. I hope you two can grow to love one another because...that type of love is life-changing.”

“Or a little toxic.”

“Red is my favorite color,” she whispers. “Now, come on.” She heads toward the hallway Crue had disappeared down.

The fine hairs on my body rise the moment Mace steps into the hall. A ripple of adrenaline surges through me as he closes in. Warning bells go off inside my head. I don’t know how I know it, but he’s coming straight for me. Though Iforce myself to focus on what’s in front of me, electricity dances along my spine with every foot he erases between us.

My instincts scream at me to run. It’s too late, though. A strong arm snakes around my waist. Mace’s hard front presses into my back, stopping me in my tracks and caging me against him. His muscles are tense. None of that violence he wants to rain down on Crue bleeds into the way he holds me. He’s almost...gentle.

“I need to speak with my wife.”

Rose turns, fingers still threaded through mine. “Cassia?” God, I love her. She won’t let him tell her what to do. Dare stops at her side, pulling her into his arms. Scary husband privileges must be nice.

“It’s okay,” I tell her.

She’s reluctant to leave, but Dare whispers something in her ear that has her face flushing bright red and she turns without another word, slipping into Mace’s massive home gym. Remy follows.

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