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Severo stood, chest heaving as he absorbed his daughter’s words. Tonight had delivered a heavy blow to their family. The first shot embedded itself in Severo’s shoulder. The others riddled Eric’s back as he jumped to defend them, costing the longtime security guard and family friend his life.

Wordlessly, he nodded at the security detail by the door, giving the all-clear to allow the doctor inside.

Aella turned to her mother, murmuring, “I’m going to get Ria out of here. Will you be okay until I get back?”

“I’ll go. You stay. I’ve never been able to watch your father get patched up.” Victoria gave Aella a grim smile, patting her shoulder. Moving to Ilaria, she murmured something Aella couldn’t hear. Whatever it was, it convinced her sister to leave without much of a fight.

Sighing, Aella pushed a hand through her hair, trying to make sense of the night. One minute, she was flirting with a man she was supposed to hate, and the next… Swallowing a sob, she sucked in a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. It wasn’t the time, and certainly not the place, for her to fall apart.

As if compelled by an unseen force, Aella lifted her eyes, surprised to find Cassius’ gaze trained on her. Discreetly jerking his head toward the door, he stood and slipped out unnoticed.

Knowing he wanted her to follow, she slipped out as well. There was so much happening that no one even noticed her leaving. She’d barely closed the door before Cassius had her in his arms, one hand cupping her face.

“You a’ight?” he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers.

Tucking her lips, Aella closed her eyes and nodded.

“Don’t lie to me, Elle. I saw the look on your face just now. I ain’t the nigga you gotta put on a show for.”

There was something about the genuineness of his words that broke the wall she tried to keep up. Accepting his embrace, Aella buried her face in his chest, sniffling.

“What the fuck is happening?”

“I don’t know, love.” Cassius kissed the top of her head. “But we’ll figure it out. That’s on everything I love.”

The office door opened, and another one of Severo’s associates, James—who’d been around just as long and was just as close to them as Eric—poked his head out, wearing a grim expression.

“Farina.”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” he muttered, burying his face into the side of Aella’s neck.

Wordlessly, James closed the door.

Breathing in her floral perfume, Cassius released her before he became even more lost in her than he already was.

“Give me your phone.”

Wiping her face free of tears, Aella sucked in a deep breath. “Why?”

“Because you’re not coming back inside. I need you to get some rest.”

“I’m not helpless, Cass. I don’t need to rest. I have⁠—”

“I know you aren’t helpless, Elle. I’m more than aware you’re capable of handling yourself. But what I need you to understand is that you don’t have to. I got you. A’ight? I put my number in so you can call me if you need anything.”

She shot him a look that said she didn’t believe him, but Cassius assumed she was too tired to argue because she handed over her phone without a word.

“If anything else happens, I’ll let you know. Cool?”

“Fine,” she agreed as he returned her phone. “I’m trusting you this one time. But you⁠—”

“Ain’t nobody trying to hear all that extra shit,” he said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ll talk to you soon, Elle. Goodnight.”

Tilting her head, she studied him curiously before replying, “Goodnight, Cass.”

The night hadn’t gone anywhere near as planned. What was supposed to be his moment to get to know Aella better turned into a bloody circus that Cassius had a gnawing suspicion about. He’d kept his thoughts to himself while at the Torrisi estate, but now that he and his father were alone, Cassius planned to get to the bottom of the night’s events.

“What a fucking shit show,” Armond grumbled, loosening his tie. “Of all nights…”