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“He wants to ensure we’re forever indebted to him. I’m not sure why. My father owes him a lot of money. They’ve known each other for a while, but I don’t know why Paulo is holding my family hostage.”
“You think perhaps your father had a gambling problem? Or something more… sinister?” Cassian asks, and my throat closes with anxiety. I didn’t want to admit it, but the moment Dad introduced me to Paulo, something felt off. I didn’t allow myself to think about it too long. But now that Cassian’s said it, I can’t deny it any longer.
“I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t put it past him. Dad’s always been a prideful man, and when he lost all that money, he said he’d do anything to get it back. And that’s what makes me wonder if Paulo didn’t step in before he met me.”
Cassian nods slowly, his expression filled with thought as he pulls out his phone once more and taps on the screen. “I’ll have the men look into it. I didn’t consider that possibility until you mentioned it.”
“What are you going to do about Paulo?” I ask before sipping the hot liquid, enjoying the warmth as it fills my belly. But even though I’m enjoying the coffee, nervous energy flutters along with the warmth.
“I’m going to make him pay,” Cassian says nonchalantly as if he’s talking about the weather. “He’s coming here for a meeting under the impression we have a deal for him. Once he’s in my house, on my property, I’ll ensure he doesn’t leave until I’ve questioned him and got a confession about what he did to you.”
“What if he doesn’t confess?” I don’t doubt Cassian’s good at what he does, and the men he has working for him will probably get the job done, but deep down, uncertainty sits like a lead weight on my chest.
The corner of his mouth tips upward, and ice trickles from my neck down to the base of my spine, causing me to shiver. I’ve never seen this side of Cassian before. All the years we’d been friends, he was always level-headed, calm and relaxed. But right now, I’m seeing the other side of him, and it’s feral.
“I’ll ensure the bastard talks,” he assures me. “I have my ways. It’s best if you don’t know what we’re doing.”
“Are you…? Are you going to hurt him? Like, would you kill him?”
Cassian glances at me, his stare dancing with answers I probably don’t want to know as he regards me, and I can tell there would be no lie in what his response would be.
“I’ll do whatever I must to ensure you’re safe again,” he confesses before he pushes to his feet. I want to grab him, to keep him here with me. But I don’t. I watch him move through the room before he stops at the windows. “Are you feeling okay?” he asks, but doesn’t look at me.
“Last night was difficult, I had some strange dreams, nightmares, but this morning I do feel better. I think I can do this.” My admission has Cassian turning to face me, his expression filled with pride, and my chest aches for him to come to me, to finally claim me like I know he wants to.
“Good,” he says. “I know you can. Since I first met you, I knew you were strong, Kaly.” A small smile dances on his face before he looks away, robbing me of his handsome face. “I need to go,” he announces suddenly and turns from the window.
“Wait,” I call out as he reaches the door. I pad quietly over to him, stopping inches from his body, feeling his warmth without meaning to. Cassian’s always been warm to me, soothing as if he were a security blanket, and without him, these past few years have been hell.
Cass glances over his shoulder, his hand on the doorknob as he watches me. His brow arches in question, waiting for me to speak, and suddenly, I’m nervous. I haven’t felt the butterflies in my stomach for so long; it’s strange.
“Come back to me,” I finally tell him, hoping I don’t sound like a stupid little girl who’s still holding onto a teenage crush.
The corner of his mouth tilts into one of those familiar smiles. The same one that used to turn me into a bumbling idiot when I was lucky enough to be gifted with it. Cassian is older now, all grown-up, and yet, he still makes me feel like that sixteen-year-old girl falling for her best friend.
“I’ll always come back for you,” he affirms before disappearing, leaving me with thoughts and memories that hold me hostage. Cassian Thorne may have the self-control of a priest, but that night, he admitted to wanting me. It was the only time he ever let go of his restraint.
