Chapter 9

Sabrina's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her cool and shot back, "Who else could I be?" Her full, petal-like lips trembled slightly-fear creeping in. Still, her gaze stayed firm, stubborn to the core, like a cornered little beast protecting its turf. Cassian had never seen that look on her face before-it was unfamiliar and jarring. He stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly dragged her over to the semicircular desk. With a sweep of his arm, he knocked everything off and slammed her down on it. Cold wood pressed against Sabrina's face as she snapped, annoyed and scared, "What is wrong with you?! Let me go!" Cassian didn't budge. He pinned her down harder with one arm while yanking with the other-rip!-her clothes tore apart in an instant. Shame and rage flushed through Sabrina. "Cassian! You jerk-get your hands off me!" He ignored her, even as her curses flew non-stop. His grip tightened around her slim waist with an almost bone-breaking force. Cassian's eyes darkened, gaze locked onto her. She squirmed and fought, and that's when he saw it-on her waist, a red birthmark shaped like a butterfly, clear as day. He froze. A hint of confusion flashed across his sharp features. Looking down at the woman struggling beneath him, he caught a faint scent drifting from her hair-familiar... unmistakably so. Sensing his hesitation, Sabrina didn't waste a second. She wriggled free and made a run for it, but Cassian's long arm hooked her back in, dragging her straight into his chest. Sabrina crashed into him, hard. She twisted and writhed, slippery like a fish, trying to get away. His expression grew darker, more intense, and Sabrina felt a chill run down her spine. The danger in his stare was so thick it felt like the air could slice skin. His arms locked tighter, squeezing the breath out of her. Panicking, she fumbled around on the desk, grabbed whatever she could, and swung hard. "Let me go!" It was a small letter opener he often used, short but razor-sharp. She hadn't meant to really hurt him, just scare him. But Cassian didn't even flinch. The blade sliced from his shoulder to his upper arm, and blood started pouring out fast. Sabrina dropped the knife like it burned her. She hadn't wanted this; she just wanted out. But when she looked back at him, Cassian's eyes were lit with a frightening kind of rage-like he was about to burn her down. Terrified, Sabrina tried to bolt again, but he grabbed her jaw and yanked her in. Without a word, his cold lips crashed down on hers. She thought he was going to kill her-but instead, he kissed her. His teeth bit into her with a harshness that made her heart pound with fear. The kiss was rough, angry, and wild, like he wanted to devour her whole. Sabrina hurt, she panicked, and most of all, she was confused. Didn't Cassian hate her? Weren't they heading for a divorce? What the hell was this? Not wanting things to spiral further, she jammed her hand into his fresh wound, hard. More blood stained half his shirt. He stiffened in pain, but didn't back off. Only when he seemed to have let go of all that pent-up fury did Sabrina finally manage to shove him away. She wiped her mouth with a cold stare and snapped, "Wow, Mr. Bennett. That was generous of you. Didn't think you'd be the type to let bygones be bygones. Don't tell me you're still hoping to relive the good old days?" Cassian stood there, panting. In that moment, his eyes were like a storm-tossed sea-wild, deep, and terrifying. Sabrina took a step back, grabbed his discarded coat, and wrapped it around herself, on edge and watching his every move. Blood dripped from his wound to the floor. Cassian drew a ragged breath, his whole presence a whirlwind of chill and anger. He turned his back to her. "Get out," he said coldly.