Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 14

Chapter Fourteen: Give Me My Wife.

Dreston’s bodyguards arrived later, heavily built men moving with firm steps. Right behind them were Garry and Ray. Tina came last, her face pale and her feet wobbling as if she might collapse at any second. Her eyes were fixed on Dreston, watching every move he made.

Dreston didn’t look at any of them. His anger was locked only on Merrick.

“How dare someone like you touch my wife that way?” Dreston growled. 1

His voice was loud, sharp, and full of accusation. It cut through the quiet night. Everyone froze for a second, except Merrick, who clenched his jaw tightly. He was trying not to lose his patience.

“As you can see,” Merrick said slowly, still holding Cassienne’s arm, “she can barely stand on her own, and

“And whose fault is that?” Dreston snapped, cutting him off. His voice was filled with fury. “It’s your fault. You made all of them drunk.”

Dreston’s eyes moved from Merrick to the backseat of the waiting SUV. Daisy and Aurora lay slumped inside, completely knocked out, snoring softly. The sight made Dreston even angrier.

Then his eyes snapped back to Merrick.

“Give me my wife.”

The words were not a request. They were a command, cold and too sharp. Even Tina flinched at the sound of his tone.

But Merrick stood his ground. He squared his shoulders and tightened his hold on Cassienne.

“I’m sorry,” Merrick said firmly, “but I can’t do that. She’s coming with me.

>>

Dreston’s eyes darkened.

“She is my wife,” he said harshly. “Do you need me to remind you of that?”

Merrick didn’t blink. “Your ex,” he corrected. “You want to say ex–wife.”

Garry and Ray stiffened behind Dreston. Tina felt her heart stop in her chest, because she still couldn’t understand why Dreston was doing all of this?

Dreston took a step closer. His presence alone was intimidating–broad shoulders, clenched fists, a burning glare that warned of danger.

But before he could say anything, Cassienne stirred. Her head lifted slowly. Her eyes were half–open, but she recognised him immediately.

“Dreston is here…” she whispered, almost singing.

In one quick, unexpected movement, she slipped out of Merrick’s hold and threw herself at Dreston. Her

legs wobbled, but Dreston caught her without hesitation–one arm around her waist, the other steadying her back.

Merrick’s mouth fell open.

Chapter Fourteen Give Me My Wife

This cannot be happening, he thought.

Cassienne had told him she was done with Dreston. She said it with so much pain and bitterness in her. But this wasn’t the first time she’d said she was leaving. Twice before, she had tried to leave Dreston and later changed her mind. Merrick assumed today was another one of those times.

“Dreston?” Cassienne said softly, smiling weakly up at him. Her hands curled around his neck as if she belonged there. “You’re here?”

Tina’s hands balled into fists. Jealousy shot through her like fire. Her throat tightened painfully as she watched Cassienne cling to Dreston like that.

“Yes,” Dreston said, his voice calmer now but still firm. “I’m here. And we’re going home now.”

Cassienne giggled, resting her head on his shoulder. She looked comfortable–too comfortable–and Tina felt her stomach twist with anger.

Merrick let out a sharp, humorless laugh and stepped forward.

“You’re taking advantage of her!” he accused. “She’s drunk, Dreston! You think I don’t know she left you? She told me everything, so stop acting like a hero and be a gentleman. Let me take her home.”

Dreston’s eyes glared at him like he was daring him to say that again.

“I will pretend I didn’t hear you say that,” he said slowly.

Then he bent down, scooped Cassienne into his arms effortlessly, and turned away. She wrapped her arms around his neck again, content and unaware of the tension around her.

Merrick moved to stop him, but the bodyguards stepped forward and blocked his path instantly. They were massive, trained, and expressionless. Merrick was tall, but these men were built like fortresses–broad, strong, and unmovable.

He stopped walking.

He could try to fight them, but he wasn’t foolish. These men weren’t ordinary; they were elite guards.

Dreston turned a little to speak. “Garry, please take Tina home,” Dreston said. His tone was dismissive and emotionless. “I need to make sure Cassienne gets home safely.”

He didn’t spare Tina a single glance.

Tina felt her chest tighten painfully. Her vision blurred, and her heart cracked. Dreston had just chosen Cassienne–again. Chosen her without hesitation. Chosen her without even thinking about Tina’s feelings.

The dagger twisted deeper when she saw how protective he looked carrying Cassienne. He held her as if she were fragile, as if she mattered more than anything else.

“That can’t be real…” Garry muttered quietly.

Even he and Ray couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. That woman in Dreston’s arms–so stylish, confident, beautiful–was Cassienne? The same Cassienne who always wore dull clothes and walked with her head down? It was almost shocking.

Chapter Fourteen: Give Me My Wife

But it was her.

Cassienne had changed. She looked brighter, stronger, more elegant. And somehow, that change made Dreston’s grip tighten around her as he walked away.

Tina felt her breathing grow unsteady. Anger, jealousy, and heartbreak tangled together inside her. She tried to speak, but her voice refused to come out.

How could Dreston walk right past her?

How could he choose Cassienne?

How could he ignore the woman he always claimed to love?

She stared after him, trembling. Every step he took with Cassienne in his arms stabbed her deeper.

And then, when Dreston disappeared with Cassienne in the direction of the parking lot…

Tina collapsed.

Her knees buckled, and she would have hit the ground if Ray hadn’t rushed forward and caught her in time. Her eyes rolled back, and she went limp in his arms.

Garry stared at her in shock.

“She fainted!” Ray said, panic in his voice.

The two men looked at each other, completely stunned.

Nothing about tonight had gone the way anyone expected.

Not even close.

Chapter Fifteen: A Promise.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.