Her Guardians Lost(55)

Looking up, we both heard the door close as Chris entered the living room. “I gather you’ve told her?”

“Yes, I have,” Billy beamed.

“Come here, Cassie. Give your other uncle a hug and a kiss.”

I eagerly leapt into the air and ran into Chris’ arms. “I’m so happy for you,” I breathed, kissing him on the cheek.

“Oh, well, you know… I thought it was about time I made your uncle an honest man of himself,” he teased. “Aside from the fact I would never hear the end of it, of course.”

“Eh!” Billy protested. “I know we’re getting married soon, but that still doesn’t mean I’m not averse to kicking your butt.”

Chris rolled his eyes. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile. Despite their teasing, they were in love and about to make that love official. Everyone will know just how serious they are about one another. I never doubted it, and I imagine anyone who has ever seen them together would never doubt it, either. It was almost as if they were meant to be.

“Stop it, you two. You know as well as I do that you both want this. Quit teasing and give each other a hug.” I stood there, but they didn’t move. “Come on. I want to see the love.”

They both smiled and moved into an embrace. I couldn’t take it and decided to join in. Despite what I’ve been through lately, I was very happy for them. They were getting married and the thought filled me with joy.

“Have you asked her yet?” Chris asked Billy.

Billy smiled. “No, I wanted to wait until you got home.”

Standing back, I stared at them. “Asked me what?”

“To be our best man—well, best woman,” Chris beamed.

Gasping, I hugged both of them again. “Nothing would make me more proud. Of course I would. I would be honoured.”

Chris clapped his hands. “Great! Well, this is cause for a celebration. Wait here whilst I get the champagne. Actually, Cassie, are you allowed to drink?”

I nodded. “I think I’ll be okay. I haven’t needed to take any pain meds yet today.”

Chris smiled. “Okay then. I’ll get three glasses.”

He disappeared, leaving Billy and I alone again. “How is your shoulder, Cassie? It’s hard to acknowledge it, considering it just reminds me of what I could have lost.”

Pulling him to me, I gripped the back of his shirt. “I’m not going anywhere, Billy.”

Gripping me tighter, he sighed. “I know. Just make sure it stays that way.”

Nodding, I pulled away just as Chris came back in with a bottle of chilled champagne and three glasses. He set the glasses on the table and popped the cork. We all cheered as he poured the contents into the glasses.

We each grabbed a glass. Chris smiled. “To new beginnings.”

It was a strange toast, but one I felt was apt right now. New beginnings were something to embrace and enjoy. You never knew whether your new beginnings would be joyful or not, but they would bring you life’s lessons.

“To new beginnings,” both Billy and I said.

We stood in silence for a while as I let the bubbles slide down my throat. Closing my eyes, I let the coldness take over. Once I opened them, I had Chris staring back at me.

“Now, tell me, flower. What’s been happening with you lately?”

Looking over at Billy, we stared at each other for a moment, then laughed. “Where do I begin?” I replied.





Chapter 14



Stephen



The more I saw of Cassie, the more I hurt. Even though she tried to hide it from her family and friends, she was suffering. I could tell. I know her better than anyone.

Seeing her with Simeon enraged me. It made my blood boil to the point I thought I might scream. I wanted to yank him away, tell him to take his filthy hands off her. He wasn’t worthy of her. He was like a leech, sucking the life out of everyone in his path. Sucking the life out of my Cassie.

If I ever got hold of him, I was going to wring his goddamned neck. I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout at Michael for leaving her there under his care. If he knew, he would never have left.

Waiting, the anticipation was coursing through my veins. I was so angry at him for abandoning her.

“Alexander, look who has returned,” my father announced.

Looking up, I saw his smug grin. “Stephen, how are you?”

Without thinking, I lurched to my feet and wrapped my hands around his neck. Michael was a strong man, but he was no match for me when it came to my anger. I seemed to take on the strength of a hundred men when I felt like this. I should have been worried that I would somehow hurt him, but I was too angry to care.

“How could you have left her, Michael? How could you?”