Chapter 86 What is that supposed to mean?
Chapter 86 What is that supposed to mean?
Sebastian’s question made Michelle stop. She could not easily say no because of his father, Mr. Newman.
The man in front of her was a total ass, but he was only asking for one date. Unless he was planning something more.
"Just one date?" Michelle asked, looking right at him. Sebastian smiled, pleased she was even thinking about it.
"That is all I want."
"Fine. One date. But I pick when and where," Michelle said, her expression blank. Sebastian felt like an idiot.
This was a woman he had once slept next to. Remembering how she used to act with him, how she fought to keep their deal alive until the very end, made nothing but regret sit heavy in his chest.
"That is not fair. I already know a perfect spot. You will like it, I promise."
"How could you possibly know what I like?" Michelle asked. They never really knew each other, and they had not spoken since the divorce. Sebastian just smiled.
"I have my methods."
Rush was boiling with anger. Where did Sebastian get the nerve to ask Michelle out? Caspian could only press his lips together, tasting his own bitterness, and Edmund felt he had shown up too late.
When he first noticed Michelle, these other men were nowhere to be seen. Now it felt like he would have to battle an entire crowd just to reach her.
He might be famous, with women chasing him, but these guys were just as good-looking and just as powerful.
"Send me the address. I will let you know if I want to change it," Michelle said. Sebastian grinned.
"But I do not have your number."
Michelle realized she had been played. She gave a thin, humorless smile, reached into her expensive purse, and handed him a business card.
"Here. Do not make me regret it, or I will block you."
Sebastian’s chest felt lighter. "I guess there is hope after all. I really have to thank my dad."
"Do not bother," Michelle said with a short laugh. "Seb, listen to me. There can not ever be anything between us. Not like that. Friendship is all there is."
The smile died on Sebastian’s face. Michelle had crushed his hopes so quickly it actually hurt.
"I will still try," he said.
Michelle only shook her head with another quiet laugh and said nothing more. As she walked away, Mira and Edmund fell into step beside her. Rush hung back for a moment, standing in the doorway where he could see Caspian.
His voice was low and full of venom. "If you think ruining Sienna in public will make Michelle feel sorry for you, you are wrong. She will never be yours again."
Caspian gave him a knowing smirk. "Does she know you are in love with her?" he shot back.
It was easy to see from Rush’s jumpy behavior that he was hiding feelings for Michelle. Now Caspian understood why the man had always made him uneasy.
This was another thing to look into. Caspian was going to dig into Rush’s whole life to make sure Michelle was safe with a guy like him hanging around.
Caspian might not have a right to be with Michelle anymore, but he would be damned if he let someone like Rush mess up her life.
After all the hurt he caused her, this was the only way he knew to try and make things right, without asking for anything back.
"That is not your concern. Just stay away from her," Rush said, his voice hard and low. Not knowing what Michelle and Caspian had talked about made him deeply uncomfortable.
If he could, he would have broken Caspian’s face right then. But he remembered the force behind Caspian’s punch the last time. It was not a normal hit. Rush decided he needed to start looking into Caspian, too.
Caspian’s smirk did not fade as he made his promise clear.
"You know what, Rush? I was not going to try for Elara. I thought I hurt her too much to ever deserve her. But after what you just said, I will move every mountain there is to get her back. She will be mine again."
Rush’s expression turned to stone, his face growing red with anger. With all these men circling her, Michelle would be pulled in every direction even if she did not want them.
Sebastian already got his date. Who knew what Caspian might manage to get next? "That will never happen. I will not allow it," Rush fired back.
Caspian raised his eyebrows. Rush had no idea what he was really dealing with. "Want to make a bet? If you get in my way, you will end up behind bars or in the ground," Caspian said, completely serious.
A touch of real fear went through Rush. "What is that supposed to mean?"