Chapter 13: 11

Phoenix crossed his arms, leaning against the back of the couch with a sharp exhale. His piercing green eyes swept across the room, searching for the one person missing from this impromptu gathering. “Before we even begin, where’s Kai?” he asked, his voice firm but laced with concern.

Aleksander, sprawled comfortably in the armchair opposite, looked up from his phone. His lips quirked in mild annoyance as he replied, “He left not long after you guys did this morning. Something about his old man. He hasn’t been back since.”

“His old man?” Lucien echoed, narrowing his sharp amber eyes. He sat at the kitchen counter, lazily spinning a knife between his fingers. “That’s never good.”

Aleksander shrugged. “Nope. But you know Kai—he keeps that part of his life separate. Even from us.”

Cassie, sitting quietly on the edge of the couch with Baby nestled in her lap, felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She had no idea who they were talking about, but the tension in their voices made it clear this Kai person was important.

Phoenix’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t push the subject. Instead, he refocused on the issue at hand. “Alright, let’s not get sidetracked. We have bigger problems to deal with.” His gaze flicked to Cassie, who shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his stare.

Lucien leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yeah, like the fact that Little Miss Civilian over here is apparently at the center of the biggest upheaval we’ve seen in years.”

Cassie bristled, her grip on Baby tightening. “I didn’t ask to be in the middle of this!” she snapped.

Lucien smirked, clearly unfazed by her outburst. “No one ever does, sweetheart.”

“Lucien,” Nicco warned, his tone low and dangerous.

Aleksander, who had been watching the exchange with a bemused expression, finally spoke. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Cassie, we’ve heard whispers about the mysterious death of Lorenzo Roussi, the heir to one of the most powerful crime families in the city. And now, here you are. Care to explain how you’re involved?”

Cassie’s mouth went dry. Her heart pounded in her chest as all eyes in the room turned to her. For a moment, she considered lying, but she quickly realized there was no point. They already knew too much.

Taking a deep breath, she began, “Lorenzo… he wasn’t who people thought he was. He was a monster.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “He hurt people—women—and he… he tried to hurt my friend and I. So I stopped him.”

The room fell silent.

Cassie’s hands trembled, but she kept her chin up, refusing to show weakness. “I didn’t plan any of this. I just wanted to survive.”

Phoenix sighed, running a hand through his fiery red hair. “That explains why your apartment was ransacked. Someone’s looking for you, Cassie. And until we figure out who, you’re going to need protection.”

“Protection?” she repeated, her brow furrowing.

Nicco nodded. “You’re staying with us. One of us will be with you at all times.”

Cassie blinked, staring at him in disbelief. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Lucien snorted. “Could’ve fooled me.”

Phoenix ignored him and continued, “This isn’t up for debate, Cassie. You’re in danger. We can’t leave you alone.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but Aleksander cut her off. “Think of it as a rotation. You’ll go to work with us—whatever we’re doing that day. Starz Entertainment, Phoenix’s magazine, Nicco’s clubs, Lucien’s gym, or wherever Kai’s modeling gigs take him. You’ll never be alone.”

Cassie’s frustration boiled over. “You can’t just upend my life like this!”

Nicco’s dark eyes softened as he stepped closer to her. “Cassie, please. It’s the only way to keep you safe. We’re not doing this to control you. We’re doing this because we care.”

His words made her pause. She looked around the room, taking in their expressions. Despite their differences, there was genuine concern in their eyes.

Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine. But if I’m going to be stuck with you guys, I need to call my best friend, Gwen. She needs to know what’s going on.”

She pulled out her phone and dialed Gwen’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. Frowning, she tried again, with the same result.

“Strange,” she muttered.

Phoenix exchanged a glance with Nicco. “Keep trying. But for now, let’s lay out some ground rules.”

---

The rest of the conversation was spent hashing out logistics.

Aleksander offered to take her to Starz Entertainment the next day, explaining that his company’s high security would be the perfect place to start.

“Don’t worry,” he added with a sly smile. “You’ll love it there.”

Phoenix chimed in, detailing the schedule for his magazine’s next big photoshoot. “It’s hectic, but it’ll keep you busy.”

Nicco mentioned that his clubs operated mostly at night. “You’ll stay in the VIP lounge, out of sight. No one will touch you on my watch.”

Lucien rolled his eyes but grudgingly added, “My gym’s not exactly glamorous, but it’s safe. And you could use the exercise.”

Cassie shot him a glare but decided to let the comment slide.

As for Kai, they explained his connection to the Yakuza.

“His father dragged him into that life,” Nicco said, his voice tinged with regret. “Kai’s tried to distance himself, but it’s not easy. Especially when his old man keeps pulling him back in.”

Cassie absorbed the information, realizing just how complicated their lives were. She had always seen them as mysterious and untouchable, but now she was beginning to understand the weight they carried.

By the time the conversation ended, she was exhausted.

Nicco walked her to the guest room, where Baby was already curled up on the bed.

“Get some rest,” he said, his voice gentle. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

Cassie nodded, her heart heavy. As she closed the door behind her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her life would never be the same again.