Page 60 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“Kris, can you help me with the wine?” Philip said as he approached.

“Sure,” Kris said, and turned on his heel and walked toward Philip as he headed to the bar.

But Dante was not done. The brittle mask of politeness vanished as he followed Kris to the bar. His voice dropped dangerously low, almost a hiss as he leaned forward and said, “If you really want this restaurant to succeed, you’ll end things with Cassia. It’s the price you pay—you can’t have it all.”

Kris glared at him, his fists tightening at his sides. “That’s not how this works.”

Dante sneered, stepping closer. “Trust me, it is. You think people will take you seriously if I write a scathing review?”

Rage surged inside Kris, his bear roaring fiercely. But he kept his voice low, eyes flashing dangerously. “If you think you can threaten me into leaving her, you’re even dumber than I thought.”

“Careful, Thornberg,” Dante drawled, smoothing his jacket casually. “I always get what I want.”

Kris straightened, confidence radiating from every fiber of his being. “Not this time. Not Cassia. She’s mine—and I will always choose her.”

Dante’s eyes narrowed sharply, anger burning beneath the composed surface. But Kris turned away dismissively, refusing to let Dante see any hint of fear or doubt. His heart belonged to Cassia, fully and unconditionally.

Nicely handled,his bear said approvingly, his tone deeply protective.He’s no match for us.

Exactly,Kris agreed.

But deep down, he was afraid of what Dante might do. He was the kind of man used to getting his own way, no matter what.

My offer of tearing his head from his shoulders still stands,his bear said.

And Kris had to admit it was a very tempting offer. Very tempting indeed.

Chapter Twenty-Two – Cassia

Cassia stood frozen near the kitchen doorway, her stomach in knots, barely able to believe what she had overheard.

How dare he!

The audacity of Dante to show up here—on the night of their restaurant’s opening, no less—was one thing. But to try to manipulate Kris made her blood boil.

Who the hell does he think he is?

Her fists clenched at her sides as she watched Dante return to his table, smoothly sliding into his seat next to the elegant food critic, who seemed oblivious to his scheming. How could he sit there laughing, drinking Thornberg wine, eating their fine food, all while plotting their downfall in the most callous way?

How could he sit there, carefree and charming, as if he hadn’t just threatened everything she and Kris had worked so hard to build? The way he could switch between faces so effortlessly sickened her.

How could she ever have been in love with this man? How could she ever have believed he was her future? She’d been so blind!

Cassia bit her bottom lip, swallowing down a wave of bitter anger that threatened to choke her. Her gaze swept around the softly lit restaurant, where Kris’s family moved between the tables, talking to their guests. Guests who were smiling and savoring dishes she’d poured hours into perfecting alongside the chef. Everyone was relaxed, enjoying themselves, completely unaware of the poisonous threat Dante had brought with him.

A threat aimed at her, aimed at Kris.

No, she corrected herself bitterly. A threat aimed at destroying not only their dreams of opening the restaurant but also his family’s legacy. The Thornbergs had put their hearts, souls, and livelihoods into this vineyard, this restaurant—and Dante thought nothing of tearing it down, just to win her back.

He’d almost ruined her life once; there was no way in hell she’d let him do it again.

She watched, her pulse quickening, as Dante casually snapped a photo of his food, no doubt preparing to post some arrogant, veiled critique. He was a repulsive excuse for a man.

But as he raised his phone, inspiration sparked inside her.

An idea—a perfect trap.

She turned sharply and walked into the kitchen, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The chef glanced up, brow furrowing. “Cassia, everything okay?”

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