Chapter 19

Gavin stepped in front of Cassandra, shielding her behind him as he stared at Ronan with open wariness. "I was about to ask you the same thing. Why are you putting your hands on her?" "I'm talking to Cass! Stay out of it!" Ronan snapped. He turned to Cassandra and asked, "Who is he? What is your relationship?" "His name is Gavin Cole," Cassandra replied, the corner of her lips lifting slightly. "He's my boyfriend." "Your boyfriend?" Ronan staggered back a step, disbelief all over his face. "No! That's impossible! You're lying to me—" Before he could finish, Cassandra rose onto her toes and kissed Gavin on the cheek. Her brows arched, cool and defiant. "Are you still going to fool yourself?" Gavin froze. At that moment, a jagged streak of lightning slashed across the sky, casting Ronan's face in harsh light and draining it of color. "Let's go," Cassandra said. She looped her arm through Gavin's and turned away. Ronan stood there, staring at her retreating back. Only then did he