Burn (Virtues & Lies 1)

“Cassandra.” He’s definitely not happy with me.

“Is he okay?”

Studying his eyes in the rear-view mirror I wait for his reply, but it never comes. We’re quiet the rest of the way to the house. When we arrive, Fleur is quick to get out of the car and leave us to it.

“Wayne—”

“I’ve known you all your life. Protected you like you were mine. And I’ve always admired how different you are to most privileged girls. You’re kind and forgiving, it’s what makes you you.”

“Leo lied to me.” Saying his name is like a shock to my system. I’ve thought it a million times, but I’ve avoided verbalising it until now. And, how right I was. Saying his name doesn’t just hurt, it feels like a knife to my already bleeding heart.

“I’m going to tell you the same thing I said to him when he told me he couldn’t lie to you about Lucian—sometimes, to protect the people we love we’re all liars. Every single one of us.”

Tears prickle my eyes as I struggle to catch my breath. “Why did you tell him that? If he’d told me then…”

Watching as he exits the car and then opens my door, I try to make sense of my feelings and thoughts. But I find none.

“Then what? You’re going on like he committed the crime you’re punishing him for. He’s done nothing but fight your corner. He’s done whatever it takes to keep you safe. Do you have any idea what it takes to kill a man, deserving or not?”

“I…”

“Like I said, I’ve treated you like my own. But Leo is mine, and if can’t protect him, then I have no business protecting you either. You want to know how he is?” Eyes narrowed on me he helps me out of the car and walks me up to the front door. “You care that much, then go find out for yourself. But before you do anything, I suggest you ask Francis about their plan.”

“What plan?” I keep going around in circles, from pillar to post. It’s exhausting.

“The one where he sacrifices everything for you.” Closing the door, he starts towards the back of the house, but then he stops and turns to me with concern etched on his face. “Try and be deserving of him.” Shaking his head, he continues on his way and I’m speechless.

* * *

Taking a deep breath, I knock on my father’s office door and let myself in before I bottle it. Conversation freezes as I step through the threshold of the room, and my heart is beating so hard that my vision blurs at the edges.

Like their talk, I’m frozen in a stupor. My pulse hammering through my veins so loudly that I can’t hear myself think.

“Cassie?” Dad’s muffled voice filters through my fog, making me all too aware of all five pairs of eyes on me. “Is everything okay?”

Shaking my head, I struggle to communicate that nothing is okay. Especially not now, that I’m face to face with Leo again. God, he looks…how I feel. Broken and empty, and all manner of things that I’ve tried to avoid sink in.

Everything is wrong.

My numbness evaporates leaving me in a burning pit of longing, regret, and hurt. My heart wrenches in my chest as I take in his dark navy waistcoat and crisp white shirt. The sight of him in a suit is by far my favourite, right behind him wearing nothing.

God, I miss him so much.

Unable to get my head straight, I stand in the middle of the room barely able to breathe or keep myself from running to Leo.

“What’s happened?” Christopher is on his feet and at my side before I can shake myself out of my trance. Standing over my five-seven frame he looks me over, not finding anything he takes a step back with a confused look on his face.

“I need to talk to Dad.”

“Cass…”

“I said Dad, not you.” Looking over Christopher’s shoulder my gaze finds our father’s. “What are you doing?”

“We’re done here for today. Casper we’re in the office tomorrow,” he states loudly, his voice filling every square inch of the room.

The office starts to clear, Freddie drags Christopher out with him and Casper. Leo’s about to follow, but his steps seem weighted and the closer he gets the harder it is not to go to him. Not to touch him. I don’t though.

“What are you doing?” It’s obvious he knows what I’m asking, because his eyes dart to the floor in avoidance. “What’s your plan, Leo?”