I tipped my head to the side, my fingers toying with the stem of my champagne flute. "No one gives two shits about the Lockharts anymore because they're all dead."
Chase gave a shrug. "If that were true, I wouldn't have found an entire hard drive of research in the Reaper's apartment. Digital stamps don't lie, Darling; he's put a number of years into his investigation of my father. But I can't quite put my finger on why. Can you shed some light?"
What the fuck was he talking about? Cass had been investigating Chase's father? Why?
"I'd offer to ask him for you," I replied in a cool voice, "but I don't think fate would save two bastards from my bullets. Some secrets really do go to the grave."
Chase's lips thinned like he wanted to accuse me of lying. Like he suspected I knew exactly why Cass was researching Channing Lockhart and just wasn't letting on. Unfortunately for him, and me, I really had no clue.
"Fine," he hissed eventually. He waved his hand in the air, and a moment later a very stressed-looking waiter came hurrying out of the kitchen with two steaming bowls of soup. His hands shook as he set them down in front of us, then he all but ran back to the kitchen, where he must have been hiding.
"Eat your fucking food, Darling," Chase snapped, picking up his spoon. "You're too skinny."
When I made no move to even touch my soup spoon, his temper snapped and he slammed his fist down on the table. Soup sloshed, and my champagne fell over, spilling wine all over the tablecloth and onto the floor.
"I said eat," he snarled. "Or pretty little Stephanie loses a finger."
I stiffened, my heartbeat thrashing in my ears as panic flooded my system. Chase didn't have his phone in sight, but I didn't doubt he could make that call in a snap.
Swallowing hard, I picked up my spoon and dipped it into the creamy green soup. Even if it was spiked... I'd survive. I always did.
The soup tasted like ash on my tongue, but Chase didn't let up with the murderous glare until I'd swallowed that first mouthful. Then his whole demeanor shifted like he'd unzipped a skinsuit, and suddenly we were back to charming dinner-date Chase.
"I'm so sorry about what happened to your apartment building," he commented as casually as if we were discussing the weather. "That must have been such a blow, losing all your pretty cars like that."
I resisted the urge to gag as I took another tiny spoonful of soup. "The loss of innocent lives somewhat eclipsed my love for those cars, Chase. I understand that you severely lack in empathy and basic human emotions, but you're not stupid. Stop acting like you are."
His eye narrowed at me, flashing with anger. Then he tossed his head back in laughter—full-belly laughter like I'd just told him the funniest joke on earth.
"I missed that smart mouth of yours," he commented when his laughter died down, then his expression quickly shifted to something darker, more dangerous. "I can think of so many things I'd like to do to that mouth. Five years has given me so very much time to think about our reunion."
Bile curdled in my stomach. "No, thank you. Zed's been more than keeping my mouth busy at home." I knew better than to provoke Chase, but I couldn't fucking help myself.
Chase stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over in the process, and stepped around the table to snatch a brutal handful of my hair. Enraged, he hauled me out of my seat with my scalp screaming and slammed his mouth into mine so hard it made my mouth fill with the sharp tang of blood.
Horrified and repulsed, I clamped my teeth together hard, not giving an inch as he mauled my face. When I remained stiff as a board, he shoved me back with aggression and frustration, making me stumble.
"I seriously suggest you defrost, my sweetness," Chase snarled at me, a streak of my blood marring his lips, "and defrost fast. Or Stephanie will pay the price for your noncompliance."
And there it was, the whole point of the ridiculous dinner date façade. Chase wanted to fuck me, but he wanted to break me by making me a willing participant.
The screen of my phone lit up on the table, and I glanced down to read the message I'd been waiting on all goddamn day, a message that sent a wave of relief so intense