Page 221 of Vows We Never Made
I caused that.
I’m the inhuman jackass who did that to her.
And if I don’t stop Cooper here, today, that could only be a prelude to what comes next.
She’s still, without doubt, the most beautiful woman to ever walk into this little café.
Buttery gold wisps of hair fall around her face. She isn’t wearing makeup, but that just highlights her vivid green eyes.
They lock with mine.
Emotions flash between us, lightning fast and incandescent, too quick for me to read them before she shuts them down again.
Then she looks back at Cooper, who turns in his chair with a frown, following my gaze.
“Blackthorn,” he says, “did you—”
Before I can move, she strikes.
Margot picks up the mug of cold coffee in front of me and throws it in his face.
“That’s for your wife, you conniving little shit,” she hisses.
Holy fuck.
“Conniving!” Hattie beams at Margot. “Nice touch.”
“I learned it from you,” Margot says.
Am I dreaming?
I don’t know, but I’m already pushing my chair back and standing to get between them.
What the hell are they doing here? Defending me?
Hattie holds her chin up high as she deliberately avoids looking at me.
Cooper regains his composure, wiping coffee off his face with a napkin as he laughs. Not like before, it comes out high-pitched and angry.
“Is this your big surprise? Having your women fight your battles, Ethan? I should have expected it, I suppose. Without the old man around, someone has to step in.” Scowling, he looks at Margot. “You’re damn lucky the coffee wasn’t hot or you’d be facing prison time.”
“Shame,” she says with a yawn.
“Your brother has enough on his plate, don’t you think? Are you trying to get arrested?”
“No, you prick. It’s a warning.” Margot bristles. “We can play just as dirty as you.”
Cooper looks at her incredulously, stone silent.
“Margot,” Hattie whispers, placing a hand on her arm, gently urging her back.
“I’m sorry she roped you into this, Miss Sage,” he says, smirking. “It must be a terrible fall, a billionaire’s fiancée one week, and a struggling bookseller the next. I can’t imagine.”
“One more word,” I snap.
Cooper looks at me defiantly.
“Say one more word about her and you’ll be shitting your own teeth for a week.” I clench my mug so hard the handle cracks in my hands.
