Page 143 of Mess With Me

He’s antsy. But I believe him. He’s always been determined to get what he wants. He holds out his hand.

I almost reach mine out before remembering myself.

“I’m not going with you.”

“Sasha, don’t be stupid.” He drops his hand. “I know I haven’t been looking out for you in the last—”

“Haven’t been looking out for me? That’s the understatement of the year, Sam. You sent me into the fucking fire!”

Sam looks genuinely anguished. I see the pain in his face. Maybe the outstretched hand wasn’t cockiness. Maybe it was desperation.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. If I had any idea the chain of events…” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter now. There’s no excuse for how I’ve hurt you. But I’m begging you. Please.” He steps toward me. I step back.

“Hey!” a voice shouts from behind me. I spin around.

John is striding over. He stops by my side, puffing his chest out. “What’s going on here?”

My heart swells about three sizes.

Sam frowns. “Is this—”

“My father-in-law,” I say, folding my arms and stepping closer to John. “Looking out for me like family members should.”

Sam looks wounded enough that I know that stung.

“Then maybe you can help make Sasha understand,” he says, turning to John. “She needs to come with me. Now.”

“Sasha’s not going anywhere.” Cass has appeared next to her father.

Even Chelsea’s coming outside, Imogen on her arm, looking as upset as the rest of them.

Sam eyes Cass a moment longer than the others, and I remember then that Cass used to work in finance in New York before she took over the hotel here. She was a big deal like him; they probably crossed paths before.

Cass gives him a disgusted look, and once again, I see the pain in his eyes. But this time, there’s a bitterness in it. Sam moves on, looking back at me. “I don’t think you understand.” Sam’s pleading with me now. “You’re in danger, Sasha.”

Cass frowns. “How on earth would Sasha be in danger?”

But John looks at me as if checking to see if it’s true.

They don’t know the real reason I’m here.

I smile, hoping my rattling nerves aren’t showing. “It’s okay. He just means…political exposure.”

“I don’t—” Sam begins, but I cut him off.

“I’ll be fine, guys. Thank you so much for coming outside, but Sam’s not a risk to me. Are you Sam?”

Sam looks incredulous. “What? Jesus, I would never hurt you.”

The funny thing is, after all that’s happened, I think he still believes that’s true.

“I’ll just be a sec,” I tell my family. When they don’t move, I take John’s hand and meet all of their eyes. “I promise. It’s just family stuff.”

“Come on,” Cass says, urging them back. They don’t go inside, though, just stand outside the restaurant, at the ready.

My throat swells. They really are looking out for me.

When they’re out of hearing distance, Sam sinks onto the hood of his car, pressing his hands to his forehead. “Sasha, I’m serious.”

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