~ CASIMIR ~
"What is it?" Jesse asked quietly. "What's wrong?"
"I hate seeing you get hurt," I said frankly.
She blinked like she was surprised. "I… thank you." But that uncertainty was still in her eyes, and it made me want to snap my teeth-not at her, but at this man who'd undermined every confidence she ever had… and at myself for affirming all the fears he'd taught her to have.
It washed over me then, that I hadn't just been my father's son, I'd also been hers. And that thought made me so ill, I had to push it away and shake my head to rid myself of it.
The past was done. It could not be changed. But the future…
I could prove to her that I would no longer be another male who stole from her. I could show her that I would be a man who added to her life, to her confidence, to her self.
I cleared my throat. "He doesn't deserve you, Jesse." And in that moment I vowed to myself that I was going to make certain he knew it, though Jesse wouldn't know.