Page 122 of Taint My Soul

“It’s so nice to see you in person. You look really handsome.” She compliments.

“You look elegant.” I return the favor.

“Thank you.” She smiles.

“Our fathers have been speaking about the marriage, and I’m so excited to be a part of your family.” She grins as we walk around the room side by side.

“I can see a bright future for both of us.” I lie through my teeth, a fake smile on my lips. We stop, and I face her and watch as her eyes bubble with excitement.

“I’m thrilled.” She laughs. “Do you want to have a big family?”

“I’m not sure.” I lift my gaze and see that Mason’s watching me, a steel gaze in his eyes.

Fuck! I’m in deep trouble. Just when I thought the night couldn’t get any worse, the woman standing before me tiptoes and presses a kiss on my cheek. I’m too surprised to utter a word, but what pulls my attention from the unwanted gesture is the commotion bustling ahead of us.

Mason.

Anger flows through my veins. Burning intensely. I watch the exchange between them before I storm toward the entitled gentleman walking away.

How dare he disrespect what’s mine?

He’ll learn tonight. I’ll make sure he does.

I close the distance between us, snatching the man by the hair before he can speak. The room gasps collectively as they stand aside. I drag the man over to Mason’s feet and force him down to the floor.

It takes everything in me not to break his goddamn fingers. “Apologize.” I growl.

His gaze flickers up to Mason, a smug expression on his face. “I’m sorry.” He doesn’t mean it.

“No, no.” I shake my head and squat down to his eye level, fastening my fist around the man’s feeble neck. “Try again, asshole.”

The words stumble out of his lips, controlled and precise. More respectful, with a tinge of fear around the edges. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. Please, forgive me.”

“Saint, just let him go.” Mason says, but I don’t give a fuck.

This motherfucker should thank whatever god he believes in that I’m in a good mood.

“He hasn’t accepted your apology.” I assert.

“It’s okay. I accept.” Mason says. I shove the man down and regain my footing. I turn around, shocked that everybody’s staring at us, including the new bride my father had scouted for me.

I think everyone in this room already knows the truth.

Cross and Olivia are here, too.

I can see it in their eyes. Too terrified. Too disappointed. Too disgusted. Reminding me of my sickness. I’m not sick. Those are not the kinds of beliefs I should hold myself to when I’m working toward a healthier relationship with Mason.

And I don’t know what to do.

Virgil’s at the bar, but he doesn’t seem to care. Syn and his husband are still looking at me.

What catches my attention is when Mason turns on his heel and bolts out of the room.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

SAINT

Aclean lungful of air hits me when I appear in the hallway. Mason’s already halfway down the passage. He’s heading to the bathroom. I trail behind him, stepping into the space seconds after he enters.