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Cassandra! Where is she? Did she leave?
“Cassandra, where is she?” I start to panic, but Leif pushes me down with a strength I don’t have to fight him off me, and Higgins brings me a glass of water for my parched throat.
“She’s with Lucas. Drink. We’re going to talk.” His no-nonsense voice is kind of soothing my nerves, even if a slither of irritation trickles through me. I’m grateful Lucas is here. After all, he’s one of my brothers. We aren’t close, but he’s a man who loves her, who has honor and loyalty running through his veins.
After guzzling down all the water, my shredded throat eases up, and my heartbeat evens out. So, I push to my shaky feet and turn to my team, needing explanations and solutions. Belington will strike, and he’ll go for the jugular.
“Do you know where the call came from?”
“Yes, sir, we managed to trace the call.” Lee, the tech guy, glances at Leif as if asking if he can convey info in front of him and when his sharp gaze comes back to me, I nod.
My gaze flickers back to the Cades’ wild card, and he returns me a look I know well. It means, try it, and I will hurt you. Maybe next time. I smirk at him. Leif knows I’m better in the match, but this isn’t about us, this involves someone we both care about.
He crosses his arms and widens his stance, ready to fight me.
“What is it, Leif, do you have an itch to scratch?” Judging by the way he watches me, he wants to feel a burn of violence too. What’s going on in your life, buddy, to seek dark thrills? Aren’t you a newlywed and a new father?
“Sir, we triangulated a mobile phone signal, and it pinpointed its location. The call came from the Cades’ investment bank here in London.”
Leif flinches, his skin creasing around his eyes, and a distant look enters his features.
“Are you sure?” My insides heat up, as I push toward them to see it for myself.
“Yes. Although we couldn’t trace the caller’s ID since he used a burner.” Lee suspiciously watches Leif like he might explode at any moment. I see his hands ball into fists and then relax as if he tries to contain his reaction.
“Do you know who it is?” Leif’s deep voice interrupts my thoughts. I cast my gaze toward him and nod. He was there when I admitted I was subjected to the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as a child to social services in front of his parents. He can put the clues together and get the picture.
“You saw him once or twice with your parents at their functions.” Anger sharpens his features, making him look formidable and twice his size. Darren and Helen thought I was lying. They were wrong. I wasn’t.
Leif strides toward me like he is on a mission. I straighten my spine and spread my legs for better balance in case he wants to taste my fists. But Leif surprise me. He drags me into a brotherly embrace. We haven’t done this for ages, and it feels good, too good to trust it.
“I want this man’s blood, Mark. You go after him, I want to come too.” His angry demand hits me in the chest. I never thought he’d ever join me in fighting my demons. They all were convinced I was just a troublemaker, so what has changed?
I force those feelings down, afraid to let anyone closer, especially them. After Logan died, my expectations to belong perished with him. Sometimes I feel happy he isn’t around, and Cassandra is mine to love. But other times, I remember our friendship and the chasm of hollow pain in my chest widens. Leif doesn’t know what he’s asking for. He has no idea what this enemy’s capable of.
The Belington family is too powerful and too dangerous to underestimate. And if Lester Belington directed his attentions Cassandra’s way, that means he’s not afraid to piss off the Cade clan. He’s playing this family too. But why?
What are you up to, Lester?
I know he has a hard-on for me, and she’s a perfect opportunity to bring me to my knees. But still, Cassandra Cade is a symbol of power, even if she doesn’t know it.
Before I can answer, Cassandra and Lucas walk in, their hands draped around each other. She looks haunted, vulnerable as she stares at me with those shadows so familiar to me. I know with clarity I’ll sacrifice everything to keep her safe. We move toward each other like the elastic threads pulling us closer. My hand coils in her hair and I mesh our lips, seeking reassurance.
“It’ll be okay, Cassandra. I’ll figure it out. I promise, no one’s going to hurt you.” I hold her to my chest like she’s made of glass, too precious to shatter, too beautiful to ruin.
“I want to go home and be with my babies,” she rasps. It twists something inside of me. I hate being a reason for her uneasiness.
“Sure, let me dress up, and I’ll take you.” I kiss her temple and leave her with Logan’s brothers since I’m desperate for a shower to wash away the disgust clinging to me like oil.
~Cassandra~
Lucas’ warm hands envelop me from behind, lending me his strength and bringing peace and safety. My mind’s slowing down, and I feel fatigued, but my heart drums with anxious energy, still reeling from all that happened today. Ill feelings twist my guts while I watch Leif chatting with Mark’s security team.
“Nothing bad is going to happen to you, Cassandra,” Lucas whispers to me, and I appreciate his words, but I’m worried about Mark. I’m trying to hold onto my sanity before it comes undone.
“Ready?” Mark’s deep voice from behind us startles me, and I twist my neck to look at him.
His golden locks, wet from the shower, drip down his sharp features. His lips are parted and his nostrils flare, watching me in Lucas' hands. My curious gaze travels to his carved to perfection chest, and down to the abdomen, a white towel failed to cover.
