Chapter 1093

Cassius reached out and grasped Hazel’s shoulder. If he could just tilt her chin up, lean in a little closer, it would be perfect—from Frederick’s angle, it would look exactly like they were kissing. When he’d laid out his proposition earlier, Hazel hadn’t said a word. He took her silence as consent. Maybe she just needed a little push. She didn’t resist when he brushed against her arm. His heart quickened. She turned toward him. Encouraged, Cassius lowered his head, closing in. Then— CRACK! A fist shot out of nowhere, connecting squarely with his jaw. Cassius’s world spun. Pain exploded across his face as he stumbled back, completely blindsided. Before he could process what happened, he heard Hazel’s sharp voice— “Try that again, and I’ll break the other side of your face.” His dazed eyes locked on her, but before he could snarl a reply, something slammed into his chest. BAM! Frederick’s boot sent him flying, crashing hard into a wooden pillar of the pavilion. The impact rattled the e