Cassian's pupils contracted slightly as his gaze locked onto Evangeline. It was as if some invisible force had rooted him to the spot, refusing to let him look away.
He saw a man standing close beside her, leaning in a little too eagerly, his face lit with a flattering smile.
Worse yet, his hand—casual, but deliberate—rested lightly on Evangeline's shoulder.
That subtle gesture sent a sharp spike of irritation through Cassian, setting his nerves on edge.
His brows knitted into a tight furrow, his chiseled features hardening. His jaw clenched, his lips pressing into a thin, firm line.
His deep-set eyes, usually unreadable, now gleamed with something sharp—predatory, like a panther zeroing in on its target.
And that target was the man's hand.
Something primal and territorial surged th
