I gave him the briefest possible nod. ‘Darrell. What a coincidence?”
My tone was full of sarcasm. I didn’t slow my pace, walking directly toward my car while fishing for my keys.
“Wait!” He lunged forward, arm extended as if to block my path, but his hand never made contact. “Sable, I have to talk to you!”
“We have nothing to discuss.” I kept my eyes forward, pressing the unlock button. The car lights flashed in response.
“It’s about your safety! Desperation cracked his voice. “I heard about what happened last night.”
That made me pause. I turned to face him, studying his haggard appearance with new wariness.
He must have seen my hesitation as an opening. “Someone’s trying to hurt you, Sable. Being around Caelan puts you in danger.”
I weighed my options. The smart thing would be to get in my car and drive away.
I don’t trust his motives, but what if he actually has extra information that could help? What if someone really is targeting me or Caelan and he’s learned something important?
Finally, I nodded once. “Fine. But make it quick.”
We ended up at a small coffee shop two blocks from the parking garage. I chose a table by the window and set the pastry box beside my chair.
I folded my hands on the table and waited, maintaining careful distance between us.
“I heard about the incident at your engagement party…” he began, then looked up with complex emotions. “Congratulations on your engagement, by the way. Even though I hate admitting it… I’m worried about your safety.”
“Thank you.” My voice carried all the warmth of an arctic wind.
“I don’t know how you heard about last night, but you don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.” I made it clear that I had zero interest in extending this conversation.
Darrell leaned forward, gripping his coffee cup. “Being with Caelan is dangerous, Sable. He has too many enemies. Staying by his side will only put you at risk.”
My frown deepened. “Last night wasn’t Caelan’s fault.”
“Wasn’t his fault?” His voice rose slightly. “The whole thing’s already all over the news! And that Blair woman – I heard she threatened suicide to try to stop Caelan from marrying you. Having someone that unstable in Caelan’s inner circle… are you really safe?
Before I could respond, he reached into his leather briefcase and pulled out a manila envelope.
“Sable, I never wanted to show you these…” He hesitated, envelope in hand. But I can’t stand by and watch you get deceived.”
My pulse quickened as he opened the envelope and slid several photographs across the table,
“The least I can do is make sure you know the truth.”
I looked down at the photos, and my pupils contracted instantly.
The first image showed Caelan at an upscale restaurant, sitting across from a stunning blonde woman. She was laughing, leaning toward him with obvious intimacy.
The second photo captured them in a parking garage. The woman’s head rested against Caelan’s chest as his arms encircled her.
But the third photograph made my heart skip. From the angle, it looked exactly like they were kissing.
I picked up the photos for a closer look, my heartbeat accelerating.
Who is this woman?
“These were taken last week, Darrell said, pointing at the images. “Sable, do you see clearly? This picture shows them obviously kissing!”
His voice carried genuine anger. “Caelan is a complete bastard. He’s cheating on you with other women behind your back!”
My mind raced as I studied the images. I remembered Caelan mentioning dinner with some pack members one evening. Could this be what he was referring to? I’d never been the type to demand constant updates on his whereabouts. Trust meant giving each other space, not monitoring every moment.
But looking at this “kiss” photo again… The angle seems deliberately chosen. Almost staged?
“Where did you get these?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.
Seeing my doubt, Darrell pressed harder. “The source doesn’t matter what matters is the truth!”
–
He suddenly reached across the table, trying to grab my hand. I pulled back before he could make contact.
“Sable, give me a chance.” His voice grew more desperate. “Let me pursue you properly. I’ll treat you better than Caelan ever could, a thousand times better!”
–
He leaned forward eagerly. “I can give you a stable life without danger or enemies! Just tell me what you want I’ll agree to anything as long as you’ll consider me, even just a tiny possibility!”
I pressed back against my chair, putting distance between us. “Darrell, have you lost your mind?”
A laugh escaped me, my eyes filled with contempt. “What about Camila? Weren’t you madly in love with her? Are you planning to two-time again?”
“I’d break up with Camila in a heartbeat!” he said without hesitation. “I’ve only ever loved you. From beginning to end, you’re the only woman I’ve ever truly cared about.”
I’d heard enough. Standing abruptly, I grabbed the ice water glass from our table and threw its contents directly at his face.
“Splash-
The cold water hit him squarely, dripping from his hair and soaking the front of his white dress shirt.
Darrell sat frozen, water droplets falling from his hair as he stared at me in shock.
“First you hurt me, and now you want to hurt Camila?” My voice shook with fury. “What do you think women are you grab when you want it and toss aside when you’re bored?”
– toys? Something
I planted both hands on the table and leaned forward, my eyes blazing. “How could I ever consider being with someone like you?”
Darrell remained seated, slowly reaching for napkins to wipe water from his face. “Sable… I…”
His voice broke. “I know I was stupid before, trying to have it both ways. That was my biggest mistake!”
He stood up, still dripping, and reached for my arm. “But I’ve learned from my mistakes now!”
I jerked away from his touch and stepped back.
“Darrell, you’re pathetically immature! So immature it’s beyond comprehension!”
“You’re an Alpha, a grown man, but you spend all your time tangled up in these petty romantic dramas!”
“Have you given any thought to your responsibilities? Your pack?” The words hit their target. “Isn’t your pack facing financial crisis right now?”
“Instead of figuring out how to solve those problems, you’re here talking to me about this nonsense?”
At the mention of pack troubles, Darrell’s face went white as paper.
“You… how do you know…” he whispered.
I… I’m working on solutions…” he stammered weakly, but even he didn’t sound convinced.
Darrell collapsed back into his chair as if all his strength had drained away.
After a long silence, he looked up with trembling voice. “If… if I really do mature and grow up…
If I handle all the pack business properly and make sure everyone lives well… His eyes held one last desperate hope. “Would you be willing to look at me? Even just once?”
His voice became a plea. Im not asking you to love me. Just give me a chance to prove myself…
I stared at Darrell for a long moment.
‘Dariell, listen carefully
“Don’t work hard for anyone else, including me Your pack, your career – those are your own responsibilities, your duties as an Alpha.
M
“These things have nothing to do with me, and nothing to do with any woman.”
I picked up my purse and the pastry box, preparing to leave. “You need to grow up for yourself, for your pack members’ sake.”
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