Sweet Temptation

I gave a small nod, stunned by what had happened and completely at a loss why Cassio had reacted that way.

Before my brother could slip out, Cassio said in a low voice, “There’s nowhere you can hide if I find out you betrayed me, Christian. Even Baltimore won’t be your safe haven if I want you dead.”

“If you hurt Giulia, I’ll find and kill you, Cassio.”

Cassio slanted my brother a dark look. Christian disappeared.

Suddenly I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to send him away. Cassio had lost his mind minutes ago for no apparent reason. His wife had died… or been killed, and nobody knew anything about it.

Our eyes met and the terrifying fury lessened. What remained was blatant distrust and a hint of guilt. He sheathed his knife then moved closer. I tensed, unsure what to expect after what I’d witnessed.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he rumbled, voice laced with regret.

He gently pushed my hand away from my cut and inspected it. I winced when he prodded the sore area. His brows pulled tight with worry. “Did I do this?”

“Does it matter? You were the one who started the fight. You lost control. You told me I’d never have reason to flinch from you. Today you proved your own words wrong.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Only Christian.”

Cassio gritted his teeth. “Come. I need to take care of the wound.”

I followed him into the bathroom. Cassio didn’t say anything as he lifted me on the vanity and began cleaning my wound.

“What happened in there?” I whispered.

Cassio put a bandage on my arm then pressed a kiss to my palm. When he straightened, he no longer looked the caring husband but the bad cop starting his interrogation. “What was Christian doing up here alone with you?”

I frowned. “He came to visit. I haven’t seen him in weeks. I sent Elia home because Christian is capable of protecting me.”

Cassio cupped my neck. “Why did you shower before I came home?”

Was he serious? “I wasn’t aware that I had to ask you for permission to shower.”

He looked furious. “Why did you shower? Answer me.”

“No. This is ridiculous.”

“If you don’t tell me why, I’ll have to assume you had to wash away proof of what you did before.”

I flinched, then grimaced when I realized what he was insinuating. I shoved against his chest. He didn’t budge.

“Are you really saying what I think you’re saying?” I was so horrified by the mere idea, I wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.

Cassio grasped my thighs. “Then answer my question.”

I stared at him. He was really serious. “Simona puked all over me, that’s why I showered. If you don’t believe me, check the washing machine. I didn’t have time to turn it on yet.” He released me and actually disappeared from view. I couldn’t believe him. I hopped off the counter, and my legs almost gave out. The shock rested heavily on me. Seeing Cassio lose control like that, over something this ridiculous, it had shaken me completely. I walked into the bedroom, not sure if I wanted to spend the night here. When Cassio returned, he’d calmed visibly.

I shook my head slowly. “I can’t believe you thought I cheated on you with my brother. That’s what you thought, right?”

His expression was hard. He uncuffed his shirt, something he did often to avoid an answer.

“You should trust me, Cassio, but instead of doing that, you’re so blinded by jealousy that you even suspect my brother to have an affair with me. How sick is that? You are surrounded by beautiful willing women in your clubs all the time, and I never accuse you of sleeping with them, much less of sleeping with your sisters for God’s sake!”

“Why would I cheat with any of those women? All I can think about is you.”

I froze. “You think of me?” I’d never considered the possibility that he’d waste a single thought on me once he was at work.

Cassio watched me, a battle raging in his eyes.

“Why do you keep pushing me away, then? Why do you hurt me by not trusting me?”

Cassio reached for his tie, loosening it with a hard tug. Tension lingered in his body, and if Christian had still been here, he probably would have attacked him again. Cassio had seemed in control, so it came as a shock that he harbored so much unrestrained aggression. Of course, it only solidified that I’d been trying to ignore that side of him. His reputation was there for a reason.

“I don’t push you away. We share a bed and spend time together.”

“We have sex together, talk about what the kids did, but whenever I try to glimpse behind your mask, you block me, and now you almost kill my brother in a jealous rage. Tell me what happened.”