Page 38 of Hard Bargain

Cassian glanced at Knox over the rim of his drink. “You look like you’re trying really hard not to care.”

Knox gave a dismissive exhale. “I don’t.”

“Mm.” Cassian let it drop, turning his attention elsewhere.

Knox wished his own mind would do the same. At the bar, Dominic turned, his gaze cutting across the room and landing straight on him. Everything else disappeared. The music dulled into nothing, movement blurred at the edges. The room itself seemed to fall away until all Knox could see was that unflinching gaze fixed squarely on him.

There was something in his eyes Knox couldn’t name, something dark and intent. It hit him all at once, sudden enough to steal the air from his lungs.

He couldn’t break the contact. Doing so would feel like surrendering something he didn’t even understand.

And then—Dominic looked away.

Just like that.

He turned back to Missy as if the moment had meant nothing at all. As if Knox had imagined every second of it. A strange, hollow irritation opened in his chest.

Dominic leaned down and said something against Missy’s ear. Whatever it was, it worked. He straightened, his hand settling at the small of her back, and she moved with him without a second thought. They crossed the floor together and disappeared down the hallway.

Side by side.

The club rushed back in around him all at once—music, voices, laughter. Everything returned to normal. Except he didn’t feel normal. He leaned back slowly, dragging a hand over his face. Why the hell did he care? It made no sense. Dominic could do whatever he wanted. With whoever he wanted. So why did it feel wrong?

He stared down at the table. The truth came to him in an ugly, unwelcome flash. He’d gotten used to Dominic’s attention. Used to walking into a room and feeling that immediate shift. He had gotten used to being watched like he mattered more than whatever else was happening around them. He hadn’t even realized how he’d come to expect it until Dominic’s attention was suddenly elsewhere.

Across the table, Cassian had gone quiet. His gaze flicked once toward the hallway, then back to Knox. He didn’t miss much and he definitely didn’t miss this. “So,” he said. “What’s got you twisted?”

Knox looked away. “Nothing.”

Cassian snorted. “Yeah, no. Try again.”

“I’m fine.”

Cassian leaned back, studying him like a puzzle he’d half-solved. “Alright,” he said slowly. “So is this about her… or him?”

Knox’s head snapped up before he could stop it.

Cassian’s smile was immediate. “Yeah,” he said, pointing at him. “That reaction? Not helping your case.”

Knox looked away with a scoff that sounded weak even to him. “You’re reading into shit.”

“Am I? Because from where I’m sitting, you look like someone just stole your favorite toy.”

Heat flashed across his face. “I don’t—”

“Relax,” Cassian cut him off. “I genuinely don’t care which one it is. I’m just trying to figure out what kind of terrible decision you’re gearing up to make.”

Knox said nothing.

Cassian watched him for another moment, then mercifully let it drop. “Anyway,” he said. “Food should be here soon.”

By the time Dominic reappeared, their plates were empty. Cassian had spent most of the meal talking—something about a fight he’d seen last month—but Knox had barely absorbed a word. He’d eaten on autopilot, more out of habit than hunger.

Then Dominic stepped out from the hallway. Alone. The sleeves of his suit jacket were slightly rumpled now, the pristine shirt beneath just imperfect enough to suggest exactly what Knox didn’t want to picture.

Dominic’s gaze moved across the room in a single sweep before landing on their table.

On Knox.