Chapter 12: 10

The morning sunlight filtered through Glinda’s modest kitchen, casting a warm glow over the room. Cassie sat at the small wooden table, staring down at her plate. The smell of fresh maple syrup and crisp bacon filled the air, but her appetite was buried beneath a mountain of nerves.

“Eat,” Glinda said, her tone firm but not unkind. She stood at the counter, rinsing out a mug. “You’ll need your strength, especially if you’re going back to that mess.”

Cassie picked up her fork and forced herself to take a bite of the fluffy pancakes Glinda had made. The sweetness of the syrup was a small comfort, but it did little to ease the knot in her stomach.

Across the room, Nicco leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His sharp eyes watched her, flickering with something unreadable—concern, maybe frustration. Finally, he broke the silence. “Cassie, we need to go to your apartment.”

She looked up, startled. “My apartment? Why?”

Nicco exchanged a glance with Phoenix, who sat nearby sipping a cup of coffee. “You need your things,” Nicco said. “Clothes, important documents—anything you can’t leave behind.”

Cassie hesitated, her chest tightening. “But what if…”

“What if someone’s waiting there?” Phoenix finished for her. His deep voice was calm but firm. “That’s why we’re going with you. You won’t be alone.” His piercing light green eyes locked onto hers.

“I don’t know…” Cassie trailed off, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

“Cassie,” Nicco said, his tone softening. “We’ll be in and out. Quick and careful. Trust me.”

She looked between the two men, then down at her plate. Her fingers gripped the fork tightly. Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”

---

The drive to her apartment was uneventful, but tension hung in the air like a storm cloud. Cassie stared out the window, her heart pounding faster with every turn that brought them closer to her building.

When they finally arrived, the sight of her familiar apartment complex didn’t bring the usual comfort. It felt colder, more distant.

Nicco parked the car and turned to Cassie. “Stay behind me,” he instructed.

“I’ll check around the building,” Phoenix said, stepping out of the car. His confident stride exuded a calm control that Cassie wished she could borrow.

Nicco led her up the stairs to her apartment. Her hands were clammy as she fumbled with the spare key. Nicco took it from her gently, his dark eyes meeting hers for a moment before he unlocked the door.

The door creaked open, revealing chaos.

Cassie’s heart sank. Her once-cozy apartment was now a disaster zone. Furniture was overturned, drawers were yanked out, and the contents of her life were strewn across the floor like trash.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, stepping inside.

Nicco scanned the room, his movements deliberate and careful. “They were looking for something,” he muttered.

Cassie’s breath caught in her throat. “Baby!” she called out, panic rising.

A soft meow answered her from the bedroom. Without thinking, she bolted past Nicco, ignoring his protests.

Her bedroom was no better—her mattress had been slashed, and her clothes were scattered everywhere. But under the bed, a pair of glowing green eyes stared back at her.

“Baby,” Cassie said, dropping to her knees. Tears of relief welled in her eyes as her black-and-white cat emerged, looking frightened but unharmed.

She scooped Baby into her arms, holding her close. “I’ve got you,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

Phoenix appeared in the doorway, his expression grim. “We need to leave. Now.”

Cassie clutched Baby tighter, nodding. She didn’t need to be told twice.

---

The ride back to Phoenix’s place was quieter than before. Baby curled up in Cassie’s lap, purring softly as if trying to comfort her.

When they arrived, Cassie was struck by how sleek and modern Phoenix’s apartment was. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the city skyline, and the minimalist decor gave the space an air of quiet luxury.

She set Baby down gently, watching as the cat began to explore the new surroundings. Nicco and Phoenix retreated to the kitchen, speaking in hushed tones.

Cassie sat on the plush couch, her hands resting on her knees. The weight of the day’s events pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

“We can’t leave her alone,” she heard Phoenix say.

Nicco sighed. “She can stay here for now, but she needs to know what’s coming.”

Cassie frowned, her curiosity piqued. Before she could ask what they were talking about, the door to the apartment swung open.

Two men stepped inside.

The first was tall, with silver hair that gleamed under the overhead lights. His sharp amber eyes were filled with impatience, and his presence radiated authority.

The second man made Cassie freeze. Her heart skipped a beat as recognition hit her.

“Aleksander,” she whispered.

The last time she’d seen him was at a VIP gathering for work. He had been charming and enigmatic, the kind of man who could command a room without saying a word. Seeing him here, in this context, felt like stepping into a parallel universe.

“Well, well,” Aleksander said, his lips curving into a faint smirk. “Cassie Moore. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

Cassie’s pulse quickened. She glanced at Nicco, who was watching Aleksander with an expression she couldn’t quite read.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aleksander chuckled, his gaze sweeping over her. “ I live here and let’s just say I have a vested interest in keeping you alive.”

Before Cassie could respond, the silver-haired man spoke. “Is this really the girl causing all this trouble?” His voice was low and gravelly, tinged with annoyance.

Phoenix stepped forward, his blue eyes narrowing. “Watch your tone, Lucien.”

Lucien crossed his arms, his sharp features hardening. “I’m just saying. She doesn’t look like much.”

Cassie bristled, but before she could snap back, Nicco stepped in. “Enough,” he said, his tone firm. “Cassie’s been through enough for one day.”

Lucien huffed but said nothing more. Aleksander, however, was still watching Cassie, his expression unreadable.

“Why don’t we all sit down?” Phoenix suggested, his voice smooth. “There’s a lot to discuss.”

Cassie didn’t move. Her mind was racing, trying to piece together the puzzle of what was happening. One thing was clear, though—she wasn’t just a bystander anymore.

She was in the middle of something far bigger than she could have imagined.