Page 57 of Exile

“Henry,” Caspian’s voice was low, deadly. “Step away from her.”

Henry’s smirk faded as he took a step back. “Just talking, Caspian. Didn’t realize she needed a bodyguard.”

Caspian moved past me in a blur, placing himself between me and Henry. His fists were clenched at his sides, his body tense. “You’re done talking. You don’t get to make her uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable?” Henry laughed nervously. “Come on, man. I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. She doesn’t look like she wants to be here. You’re forcing her.”

Brave motherfucker.

Didn’t think he’d actually have the balls to tell Caspian what was on his mind.

The veins on the side of Caspian’s neck flexed, and I reached out to touch his arm, wanting to calm him down. “Caz, come on. It’s not worth it.”

But he didn’t react to me. He continued to stare him down. “I don’t give one single shit about what any of you think. She’s family. She’s staying. And she’s here because she wants to be here. Now stay the fuck away from her.”

Henry held Caspian’s glare for a moment before muttering, “Whatever,” and heading back to the counter.

Caspian turned to me, his jaw still tight. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said softly. “I’m okay.”

He gave me once-over, trying to figure out if I was truly okay, then he grabbed the basket from me, asking, “Did you get everything?”

“The milk and eggs are missing.”

“Wait by the exit,” he ordered and walked over to grab those two things before heading to the counter. He didn’t give Henry any attention but waited patiently as he scanned every item.

He grumbled the total, and Caspian threw the money on the counter before grabbing the paper bag and turning back to me. “Let’s go.”

I let him lead me out of the store, his hand on my lower back. Outside, I exhaled shakily.

“I’m sorry,” he said, voice low. “I should’ve come with you.”

I didn’t argue with that.

I could’ve done it alone if Henry wouldn’t have been such a dick.

“I’m glad you showed up when you did.”

His eyes softened slightly. “Next time, we go together.”

I smiled faintly. “Fine.”

We walked in silence, and once we got to his house, I turned to him and said, “You know, I don’t believe anything anyone says about you here. I know who you are and why you want me to stay. I don’t care about anyone else.”

He gave me a sharp nod. “Good. Because everyone here is full of shit. Especially Henry.”

I agreed, so I decided to leave it at that.

But Caspian didn’t.

Later that night, after our homecooked dinner and changing into my pajamas, I found him standing by the living room window, a glass of whiskey in hand. The muscles in his back were tight beneath his shirt, his posture rigid as he stared out into the darkness.

I approached quietly, slipping my arms around his waist from behind. He was still thinking about the interaction we had with Henry. “He’s not worth your time,” I whispered against his shoulder blade.

His hand covered mine, squeezing gently. “I know,” he said, though his jaw remained clenched. “But when I saw him standing there, talking to you like that…I wanted to rip his throat out.”

I shivered, not from fear but from the raw protectiveness in his voice. “I can handle guys like Henry.” At least, I liked to think I could.

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