The Bound Bride (19 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Cassandra woke to find Oliver staring down at her. He smiled when she opened her eyes.

“Morning.”

She pressed her palm against his chest.

“Did you sleep?”

He shook his head.

“No. No, not really.”

She brushed her fingers across his cheek.

“That’s no good.”

Oliver lowered his face to hers.

“It’s fine. I saw you sleep. It was just what I needed.”

He was wrapping everything up in her. It was flattering. Cassandra had already decided to honor the terms of their agreement. Could she just stay beyond that? He had promised that he would take care of her against any threat.

She was tempted to the point where she kissed him full on the mouth and tried to will it to be normal.

Oliver reached under her robe and stroked her sides. Yesterday’s bruises were now stinging to the point where she couldn’t stop herself from biting her lip at the feel of his touch.

“Cassie?”

She breathed deep as she started to sit up. Oliver followed her every move and massaged her shoulders.

“I’m okay. Just… sore.”

His hands continued to move against the fabric of the robe.

“We’ll have to see that it doesn’t happen again. And it won’t. Right?”

She had no desire to seek out Adam again. Maybe it was
better to simply stay. She pondered the possibility as a knock sounded against the door. Cassandra flinched at the sound, and Oliver kissed her head as he started for the door.

“Oliver?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

He would and he could. Now Cassandra felt afraid and wanted him back at her side.

Oliver opened the door and revealed Faye in clothes that she had obviously slept in. There was no question as to why he kept her so close.

“Yes?” Oliver asked.

Faye looked over his shoulder and saw Cassandra clutching the robe closer to her body.

“The friend is up. She’s asking for her.”

Cassandra moved to her feet and started out the door. Oliver grasped her arm as she neared Faye.

“You okay?”

She quickly nodded.

“Where is she?” Cassandra asked Faye.

“Almost out the door.”

“What? Why?”

“You ask her.”

Cassandra looked to Oliver for the briefest of seconds before she headed down the steps.

 Iris was on her feet, fidgeting every which way. When she saw Cassandra, she rushed towards her and flung her arms around her friend.

“Cass! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Iris, what are you--?”

“Good. That’s good. Cass, I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t—”

“It was a bad call. I know, I know. And it’s over.”

Cassandra wanted to believe her. But recent events told her that once caught it in a trap, it was easier said than done to simply walk away.

“Iris, calm down. You should just stay here—”

“You’re too good to me. But, Cass, I need to get back to my place and get my stuff. Put some… some space between me and him. And then I’ll… I’ll…”

Her plan was half-formed at best. Cassandra tried to lead her from the door back to great room, but Iris shrugged her off.

“I need to go. And—”

Oliver intervened and stilled Iris with a finger to her lips.

“Jeff can get whatever you need.”

“He… he can?”

Oliver signaled for Faye to fetch him, and she was off. Iris sat on the foot of the steps with her head in her hands.

“I can’t believe this happened. Cass, how could I be so stupid?”

Because Adam had charmed her and promised her something she hadn’t had and before Iris knew it, she was in too deep?

Cassandra had to keep her
own
wits about her. She wrapped her arm around Iris’ shoulders.

“We all make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself—”

Bad choice of words. She rubbed Iris’ arms.

“Everything is going to be okay now. I
promise.”

She felt Iris relax as Faye reappeared with Jeff. Oliver gave him his instructions. Jeff was almost out the door as Iris leapt to her feet.

“Wait! I’m coming with you.”

Jeff looked to Oliver, wanting to know his next move.

“Iris. Right? I already explained that Jeff—”

“I want to get my stuff. Am I not able to do that? Am I under house arrest or something?”

Iris had no idea how close she was dancing to the truth. It seemed that Oliver’s desire to keep everyone safe was extending to Iris.

In the wake of her recent disaster, Cassandra knew that Iris would not be caged again.

“Am I?”

Oliver shook his head.

“Good. Cass? Will you come with me? Please?”

She should. She should be a friend and see Iris to wherever she thought she needed to go. But it wasn’t allowed.

This was the moment where she would try to make Iris understand.

She rose slowly and took Iris’ hands.

“I can’t go with you.”

Iris waited for the punch line. It wasn’t coming. A part of Cassandra wanted to see her friend to the ends of the earth if that’s what she needed. But Oliver also deserved the loyalty bought and paid for.

And she wasn’t about to break the rules again.

“Iris, I have to stay.”

“You…
why
?”

She focused on her friend.

“Because I agreed to it. Because it’s what Oliver wants. Needs.”

She looked to him again. He seemed to relax as she gave the promise voice. He didn’t need to know that she wasn’t sure of staying forever just
yet.

But she was staying for now.

Iris stared hard at Cassandra then left her eyes for Oliver’s. Iris had been broken to the point where she barely trusted anyone. And now Oliver was in her line of fire.

“What’s the deal here?”

Cassandra hoped he would explain
the history behind his actions. Iris would understand if he was frank. But he folded his arms across his chest as he looked down at her.

“She’s staying. It’s what’s best. She was fine until you stumbled along. I
never hurt her.”

Wrong words
,
Oliver
.

Iris looked from him to Cassandra and even tossed Faye into the mix.

“What’s going on?”

Faye threw her hands up.
She
had never been on board with this. Iris looked back to Cassandra.

“I… I have to stay
here. It’s… it’s what Oliver wants.”

And it wasn’t dirty. Right? He’d done nothing but shower her with care, save for the moments after she had broken the rules. Iris was wise to seek her out. Oliver had resources in service of safety. He’d extend them to Iris. He’d do it for
her. But Cassandra had to stay until the deal was honored.

Iris swiftly returned to her true self, Adam vanishing into a bad memory.

“Have
to… what do you mean? Cass! Let’s just
go
. He doesn’t own
you
.”

But in so
many
ways, he did.

“Cass, you can come with me. I need you—”

Oliver stepped between them.

“And I
need her. I need her here. Jeff will take care of you.”

Cassandra felt his strong arm around her shoulders.

“But she
stays with me.”

It was not what Iris needed to hear.

“Cass is my friend
.
She’s known me like forever. I—”

“You
put her in harm’s way. I think she’s better off with—”

“Who do you think you are?”

Oliver moved closer. Cassandra knew he wouldn’t strike Iris. At least not with his hand.

“I’m the guy who gave you a roof and a bed. You want to run? Fine. You should. But Cassie stays safe. She stays
with me.”

Iris looked away from Oliver. Cassandra couldn’t move under his hold and her eyes.

“Cass?”

Cassandra had to speak.

“Go. I… I made a promise. I… I have
to stay.”

Iris seemed ready to list the specifics of her argument. But she stopped as Cassandra turned her head to Oliver’s poised shoulder. She looked to Faye and wiped a tear from her cheek.

“You down with this?”

Faye slowly shook her head.

“No. But it’s not
my call.”

Iris turned her eyes back to Cassandra. It was a trap. Maybe not of the
Adam
variety. But it was hers. And she would see it threw to its natural conclusion.

“Cass?”

Cassandra moved closer to Oliver.

“I’m staying.”

She wanted to add for
now. But that would only hurt Oliver and stir Iris’ pot.

Cassandra was far too tired for all of it.

Iris swung her bag over her shoulder. She brushed Cassandra off with a final glance and faced Jeff.

“You can get me out?”

He nodded. Iris didn’t look back as she followed Jeff out of the house. Faye made her move to see them off.

And they were alone again.

Oliver held Cassandra where she stood and kissed her neck.

“She’ll be okay. Jeff is on it.”

But what if Iris was right? Was Cassandra making an equally idiotic choice? Oliver was essentially holding her captive. And she liked it. Couldn’t bear to leave hm. But was he really any better than Adam? It was still confinement. And Cassandra had to make him understand that.

“Oliver.”

She took his hands in hers.

“I’ll stay. I’ll stay until we’ve settled… this.”