CHAPTER EIGHTY TWO – THE AFFAIR BEGINS

Then a familiar, comforting presence settled into the seat beside hers, radiating empathy and understanding without so much as a word spoken. She turned her head slightly to find Florian regarding her with those soulful green eyes brimming with fierce protectiveness - and something else unnameable that made her breath catch despite everything. "That manipulative harpy's gone too far this time," he growled in a low, dangerous tone that sent frisson prickling down Cassie's spine. "Just wait until I get my hands on her, she's not going to know what hit-" "Florian..." she interrupted in a tremulous whisper. "Please, I...I can't think about that right now, I just..." Without warning, the floodgates of her composure burst and silent tears began coursing down her cheeks in heaving rivulets. She angrily swiped them away, furious at her lack of control and the torrent of raw emotion suddenly surging forth. "Cass..." Florian's expression softened in an instant, the flint hardness melting int