Chapter 5 You Can't Leave Yet

While the car sped along, Jasper sat so close to Cassie that she could feel the intensity of his gaze, as if he might devour her at any second. Still, something in him fought back against that urge. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists, struggling to control himself.

Cassie felt stuck, not knowing what to do now. She considered pushing Jasper away, but the car was packed with his men, and she doubted she could defeat them all in a fight.

The idea of Jasper making a move on her unsettled her, making her heart race with anxiety.

Yet as she studied Jasper's face more closely, she realized it was not so bad to be kissed by him.

No one in Neerdale could rival Jasper's looks. He had sharp, striking features and eyes that drew people in, his nose and jaw perfectly sculpted. By comparison, Jordy looked downright unattractive. Perhaps her previous admiration for her "savior" had clouded her judgment, leading her to convince herself to escape her engagement to Jasper and run to Jordy.

Cassie just hoped that Jasper wouldn't remember she was the one who had run away from their engagement when he recovered.

Otherwise, she'd be in for a world of trouble.

As these thoughts tumbled through her mind, the Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop right in front of Neerdale Hospital.

The moment the door swung open, Cassie spotted the medical team already waiting outside.

Clearly, someone had given them a heads-up.

Face red with embarrassment, Cassie wrestled Jasper off her and pressed him down on the waiting stretcher.

But Jasper's hand clamped onto her wrist with an unyielding grip, refusing to let go.

Finally, after the doctor administered two sedatives, Cassie managed to pry herself free from his grip.

She tried to slip away while everyone's attention was on Jasper, but before she could escape, one of Jasper's men walked over and blocked her path.

"Miss, you can't leave yet," he said.

Cassie instantly wished she had left Jasper in the hallway before anyone saw them.

"I'm a mess right now, and my clothes are sticking to me. I need to change," said Cassie.

"You may change in Mr. Sullivan's VIP hospital room. Someone will bring you something to wear in a moment."

The man's voice was firm enough to shut down any attempt at protest.

Jasper had clearly trained his subordinates well.

Muttering curses under her breath, Cassie trailed after the man into the hospital.

Inside the VIP hospital suite's bathroom, she slipped into the fresh clothes they brought. When she stepped out and faced the mirror at the dressing table, a long sigh escaped her.

Nothing about tonight had gone right. Jasper had kissed her, and now, she was stuck in the hospital. She could only hope Shawn got her message and went home so he wouldn't end up tangled in this mess. Jasper must not find out who she really was. If he did, the situation would become embarrassing.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as Cassie hoped. When Shawn didn't see her return, he went to the front desk and got her message. Once he realized she had left, something about the situation made him uneasy. He tried to use his status as a member of the powerful Lloyd family to access the surveillance footage in the club, but he failed.

That denial told him everything he needed to know.

If his family's influence wasn't even enough, then the situation had to involve Jasper, the man who owned the Apex Club.

Worried that Cassie might be on the receiving end of some kind of revenge from Jasper, Shawn called his brother right away. After laying out what had happened as quickly as he could, he added, "Brenton, do you think Jasper would actually go after Cassy just because she ran from their engagement two years ago?"

Brenton Lloyd didn't waste a second before replying, "You are overthinking this. I'll take care of it. Just go home."

"Alright," Shawn said.

A long sigh slipped out as Brenton ended the call.

He immediately dialed a number and waited for the line to connect. After a brief pause, someone picked up, their voice rough and unmistakable.

"I'm at Neerdale Hospital," said Jasper, not bothering with pleasantries. He clearly knew what this call was about.

With his cigar burning down between his fingers, Brenton exhaled slowly and replied, "Mr. Sullivan, sorry about my sister causing you trouble tonight. I'll go and pick her up soon."