Page 54 of Mastered By Love


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To her credit, Beryl Crake looks ashamed.“You’re right, you’re so right.I apologize.Leah, if you want to get in touch, you have my card.”

Ella watches regally as the reporter strides away.The man at her side—Kingston, I assume—stands motionless, but there’s a restrained energy about him.I have no doubt he’d intervene if necessary.

“Leah, let’s get you to a doctor to check out your wrist,” Ella says.“Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”I offer her a quick smile.“I can get to the doctor on my own, I promise.”

I’m shaking, but I don’t think she notices.

Or maybe she does, because she nods at Kingston.She doesn’t even need words, and the two of them are ushering me to the car.

One doctor’s visit and a brace for my sprained wrist later, Ella tries to convince me to go to the police station to file a report.That’s the last thing I want to do.

“I have a date tonight,” I argue.Detective Wentz’s face appears in my memories, along with his brother’s.“And…I’m not super keen on the police after some recent experiences.”

Ella’s brown eyes widen in sympathy.“Say no more.I’m sorry for mother henning you.At least let us drive you back to your building?Then I promise we’ll leave you alone.”

After everything, I actually am grateful for the ride back to Gage’s place.

I thank them both profusely, even while I’m a bit uncomfortable at all the fuss.Apart from being introduced to Ella at the club, I only really met her an hour ago.And she’s a celebrity, no less.

As I ride the elevator up to Gage’s penthouse, I check my phone.Dmitri texted.He’s looking forward to our date.

I need to get myself together and calm the heck down.It’s Dmitri’s night off and he wants to take me to dinner.I glance at the clock—I still have plenty of time to get ready.

I don’t think Gage knows about the date.This will be the true test of his jealousy, I guess.

Once I close the door behind me, Gage calls from somewhere down the hall.“Leah?”

I follow the sound of his voice to the exercise room.“Yeah, I’m here.”

He’s shirtless and doing some complicated move involving lunges and hand-held weights.I don’t know what it’s called, but he looks hot doing it.I stand and watch him for a moment.This is the first time I’ve seen him shirtless for longer than the couple of minutes it takes for him to change clothes.

Finally, I find my voice.“How was your appointment?”

“It was productive.”Finishing with the weights, he stands, fully facing me.His brow furrows in concern.Half a second later he’s in front of me, holding my wrist gently in his hands.“What happened?”

“Wrist sprain.”I’m tempted to lie about how it happened, but that isn’t right.If I want him to be more open with me, I need to be more open with him.“Um, someone called me a whore and pushed me down.”

“What?”Horror pulls his face slack.“Where?”

“On Caro.This lady knew my name.I think she recognized me from Nicola’s videos.”

Gage stiffens.His hands remain gentle on mine as before, but everything else is rigid—his shoulders, his jaw, his stance.“Did the police get involved?I can take you to make a report.”

“Ella and Kingston already offered—they showed up right after it happened.I don’t want to make a report right now.I’m supposed to go out with Dmitri later.”I force a smile.“Do you think I have a dress that would match my wrist brace?”

“Leah.”Gage wraps his arms around me, tugging me close.“This isn’t a joking matter.Someone attacked you, and you’re hurt.”

“I’m not joking, but even if I were—shouldn’tIget to decide if it’s a joking matter?”

He leans back slightly, frowning.“You’re right.It’s up to you.But I still want to take care of you and make sure you’re okay.Because from my perspective, when I left the house, you were happy and uninjured.Now you’re coming home to me with a sprained wrist.If you’re truly unbothered by everything, then by all means we can joke about it.But I have a niggling suspicion you might be more upset than you’re letting on.”

Tears sting my eyes.Damn him for calling me out like that.

“You don’t have to be strong for me.”He cups my chin, tilting my face up.“You can be vulnerable.It’s okay.”

I grab onto his exercise shorts with one hand, fisting the material to keep him close.“You’re right, too.”