Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 83

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Chapter 83

She had barely settled into the seat when the door on the opposite side opened.

Zandrie Wallace slid in with infuriating ease, making himself comfortable as though the space had been reserved for him all along.

“I came by taxi,” Zandrie said lightly, meeting Ashton’s darkened stare without a shred of shame.

“Since you kept insisting on bringing Cassie back to the hotel, I hope you don’t mind if I hitch a ride.”

Cassie nearly laughed.

Instead, she bit the inside of her cheek and pretended to examine her nails, focusing very hard on maintaining her composure while Zandrie continued poking at Ashton’s already thinning patience.

“You can take the front seat, CEO Pierce,” Zandrie added magnanimously, gesturing toward the space beside the driver. “It’s a bit cramped back here.”

If looks could kill, Zandrie would have been dead several times over.

Ashton’s gaze was lethal–but he said nothing. He drew in a slow, measured breath, forcing his temper back under control.

Then Zandrie gestured for Cassie to move closer, signaling her to make space.

She complied without hesitation, inching away–only for Ashton to catch her arm, his grip firm, halting her mid–movement.

Only for Zandrie to lean in, his lips brushing dangerously close to her ear.

“Move closer here, babe,” he murmured, just loud enough for Ashton to hear. “Give CEO Pierce some

space.”

He even took her arm, tugging her toward him as if the matter were already decided.

That was when Ashton snapped.

Without hesitation, he reached for her other arm and pulled her back toward him.

Cassie froze–caught squarely between them.

“Come here,” Zandrie insisted, pulling again.

“No–this way,” Ashton countered, his grip tightening.

Back and forth she went, like the unwilling prize in a childish tug–of–war.

Once.

Twice.

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Three times.

That was enough.

“Enough.”

Cassie yanked her arms free and shot both men a glare sharp enough to draw blood.

“If you two can’t behave,” she snapped, her voice cold and final, “then you both get out of the car.”

Silence fell instantly.

Like scolded children, both men stilled–backs straight, hands to themselves, suddenly very interested in behaving. Neither dared move. Neither even seemed to breathe.

The driver, wisely, started the engine the moment the doors shut.

Silence settled inside the car–thick, restrained, and blessedly calm. For once, Cassie welcomed it. She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes, surrendering to the rare pocket of peace.

Last night had been relentless, and her body had yet to recover. Every subtle shift reminded her of aching limbs and tender skin.

Ashton Pierce is a menace, she thought dryly.

The turtleneck and long sleeves she wore weren’t a fashion choice–they were armor, carefully hiding the evidence he had left behind.

When the car finally stopped at the hotel, that fragile calm shattered.

Both men moved at the same time, stepping out as if silently daring the other to act first. Neither made any attempt to leave. Instead, they flanked her like opposing guards, accompanying her inside while exchanging nothing but sharp, hostile glances.

Cassie chose not to dignify their silent battle. She walked straight into the receiving room, heels clicking.

“You can leave now, CEO Pierce,” Zandrie said coolly, gesturing toward the door. “My wife and I are safely back.”

Ashton didn’t move, but arched his brow at him.

“Are you staying for the night?” he asked, his voice tight.

Zandrie turned to him slowly, brows lifting in mild surprise.

“Where else would I be?” he replied. “My wife is here. I already said I intend to make her feel cherished tonight.”

He looked at Cassie then–soft, fond, almost convincingly tender.

Ashton stepped forward, the air around him turning lethal.

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“After spending your days with her sister, you still have the audacity to stand here?” His voice dropped.

“Are you truly that shameless, CEO Wallace?”

Zandrie merely shrugged, unfazed. “That is none of your concern. And precisely why I’ll stay–to make up for my impulsiveness.” The casual dismissal only fueled Ashton further.

“Then I’ll stay too,” Ashton announced.

The words hung in the air.

Cassie’s eyes widened before she could stop herself.

Zandrie blinked–then smiled. “What, a threesome?” he asked, suddenly intrigued.

Thud.

A pillow struck him square in the face.

“Ouch!”

“Zandrie Wallace!” Cassie snapped, glaring at him, mortified and furious all at once.

Unrepentant, he tilted his head. “Then what–he referees?”

Cassie grabbed another pillow but stopped herself, grinding her teeth.

“Both of you,” she said sharply, pointing toward the couches, “sleep there.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and marched toward her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

The receiving room fell into stunned silence–broken only by two men standing frozen in place, equally irritated… and equally defeated.

“The couch looks comfortable enough,” Ashton said with a careless shrug, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he gestured toward the two spacious sofas–his surrender to fate complete, even if his eyes still followed the closed door a beat longer than he should have.

“At least I wasn’t thrown away,” he mumbled to himself, settling into one of the couches with a weary

sigh.

****tbc****