Page 89 of One Night Together

“It’s so awesome we ran into you,” Owen continued in that fake upbeat voice. “We stopped in for a drink before we leave for the awards dinner. I’d invite you to join us, but I can see you’re busy with your over-the-top PDA,” Owen said, giving Leo a cursory inspection.

Leo moved to stand. Cassie gripped his jacket and held on. “Ignore him,” she whispered. “He’s goading you on purpose.”

“I’ve got this,” Leo murmured. He cradled her cheek and gave her a soft kiss. She wanted to stay in this moment forever where it was only the two of them, but it was impossible. Leo’s gaze darted away, and his jaw tightened. He was ready to confront Owen. Leo rose to his feet. He moved closer to Owen, his expression shifting to something far more dangerous. “Who do you think you are?”

Owen and Leo were the same height, but Leo was bigger and a lot stronger. They stood face to face, sizing each other up. Was this going to end in a physical fight? She caught Daphne’s horrified expression. She probably had the same concern.

Owen turned to Cassie, taking in her cleavage with a critical gaze. She cringed, reminded of all the times he disapproved of her.

“I’m someone who’s already had her, but you take her,” Owen said with a smirk. “She’s not good enough for me.”

Leo’s body tensed and he looked even bigger. “Had her? Not good enough?” Leo cast a warning glance to Daphne, who moved away from Owen. “Apologize to Cassandra.”

“I’ve got nothing to apologize for.” Owen adjusted his tie. “You’re a manwhore, and she looks like a hooker. You two deserve each other.”

Shame flooded through her. Owen always responded with ridicule. It was his favorite weapon, and now she and Leo were his targets.

“I’m going to tell you again,” Leo said in a tense voice. “Apologize.”

“And I already told you,” Owen said, his voice full of disdain, “I’ve got nothing to apologize for.” Without warning, Owen gave Leo a powerful shove, knocking him off-balance for a moment.

“No!” Cassie shouted, reaching for Leo.

Leo quickly pivoted, drew back his arm, and slammed his fist into Owen’s face with a piercing crack. Owen never saw it coming. Daphne’s scream reverberated around the restaurant.

“Leo,” Cassie cried, jumping to her feet. She had to break this up before things spun out of control.

Owen fell back on a nearby table, scattering plates full of food and spilling drinks. Clutching his nose, his white shirt splattered with blood, he shouted incoherent words at Leo. Owen got to his feet and staggered forward. Like dominoes falling, shouts and camera flashes scattered across the restaurant. Daniel and a waiter rushed over and restrained Owen.

Leo pulled his fist for another punch.

“Leo, stop it.” Cassie took Leo’s arm, crying out, “He’s not worth it. Please.”

Leo let his arm drop and said in a deceptively composed voice to Owen, “You started this fight, asshole, but I’m going to give you a chance to end it. Apologize to Cassandra.”

Owen shrugged off Daniel and threw a fist at Leo but missed his target.

Leo moved forward, grabbed Owen by the lapels, and jerked him close to his face. “I said. Apologize. Right now, or I swear to God, I’ll—” he said through gritted teeth.

Cassie looked back and forth between the two men. Leo’s expression was lethal. He had run out of patience.

Daphne broke the standoff, shuffling forward, saying, “Owen, just apologize and we’ll leave.”

A trail of blood seeped down the front of Owen’s shirt. He’d probably rented the tuxedo and wouldn’t have another shirt to change into. He’d have to attend a prestigious event looking like a disaster. His behavior destroyed his inflated ego. Cassie buzzed with righteous satisfaction.

Owen turned to Cassie. Avoiding eye contact with her, he instead focused his gaze somewhere above her head. “I apologize.”

Coward. He wasn’t sincere, but she’d never heard him apologize to anyone before. That small act would cost him, and Leo made it happen. He did it for her.

Leo shoved Owen out of the way. “Get out of here.”

Owen and Daphne left the restaurant to shouts and boos.

Leo went into action, personally apologizing to the couple whose dinner was ruined by Owen. He insisted on replacing their entire meal and covering the cost for any damage to their clothing.

To her surprise, Leo smiled and held his arms wide, saying to the rest of the diners, “Ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for interrupting your evening. To make amends, I insist on buying everyone a round of drinks.”

Cheers and applause broke out around them.

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