Page 359 of As the Rain Falls
Kayla looks at Cassandra, her voice small. She’s sensing that something isn’t right.
“Why is he saying that?”
Nathaniel doesn’t even spare her a glance. His focus remains on his sister, his gaze darkening with something possessive.
“Cassandra!”
And then, the thought clicks into place, sharp and electric.
This is a power play.
Nathaniel thrives on control, on ownership, knowing she’s too scared to do anything but bend under his will. It’s not about taking her home, it’s about the whole process leading up to it. He wants her to be watching over her shoulders, waiting for the moment the ball inevitably drops.
You have to be ahead of the game to beat him, to strip that power away from him, and leave him with nothing.
Didn’t my father teach me that?
How to strip things away from others?
“What’s it going to be, Cass?” I ask, voice steady and clear. I’m pretending that he isn’t even there, that his breath isn’t felt on my skin. “Are you staying with me, or are you getting in his car?”
Nathaniel goes rigid, barely keeping himself together.
He doesn’t like that I’m giving her a choice.
Of course, he doesn’t.
He’s never given her one before, right?
Cassandra’s eyes widen, not understanding what I’m doing. She tries to look at him, but I shift, blocking her line of sight.
I wonder what he might do once she starts believing that she deserves far more than what he planned for her.Because I can give that to her, if only she’ll allow me to, and there’s nothing I’d like more than to ruin his entire life so she can finally start to live hers.
“It’s your call,” I add quietly, because it is.
One word from her and I’m setting Le Port on fire. I’ll ruin his life, reputation, and his legacy. I won’t stop until he’s nothing. I will let it consume me until I am done for, but I can walk away too.
Truth is, I would have ended Nathaniel Rivera ages ago if Cassandra had even whispered to me that he’d touched a singlehair of hers. I’m dying for an opportunity now, really, but it’s her shot. This is not about me.
“I want to stay with you, but I don’t want to get yelled at anymore.” She rubs circles in my palm with her digits, grounding me. “So maybe I should go with him.”
No.
Absolutely not.
“Cass is riding with me,” I announce, but mostly speaking to our friends. “Angie, help her get to the car.”
I want them to walk her to the car, far away from him and back tosafety.Nathaniel is too stubborn. He tries to take a step forward, but I block him. His mask cracks, and I finally see him for who he is. This man is a pathetic mess.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, man?” he yells, thrashing against me, seething. “You think this is a game? I can ruin your life, Evans.”
I smirk, yanking him back.
“Like hell you can. You’re just a coward.”
His eyes darken. “Thisisabout Lucia, isn’t it?”
I scoff, “What the hell are you even talking about, man?”
