Chapter 5 - The Man Who Came Back
Three months later, Cassian returned.
He chose my mother’s charity gala.
Of course he did.
Public place.
Cameras.
Hundreds of witnesses.
He approached while I stood beside the ballroom.
“You look happy.”
I turned.
Every old instinct returned.
Then disappeared.
“Cassian.”
“You didn’t answer.”
“I am.”
His eyes moved across the room.
Dante stood near the bar.
He didn’t approach.
He was watching me.
Waiting.
Not deciding for me.
Cassian noticed.
“So it’s true.”
“What?”
“You’re with Moretti.”
“That’s none of your business.”
His jaw tightened.
“He embarrassed my family.”
“You did that yourself.”
Cassian stepped closer.
“Your father’s empire is collapsing.”
“I know.”
“Mine isn’t.”
I smiled.
“Is that supposed to impress me?”
“You used to understand power.”
“No. I used to confuse it with control.”
His face changed.
There he was.
The real Cassian.
“You think you’re untouchable because Moretti wants you?”
“No.”
I looked directly at him.
“I think I’m untouchable because I finally understand that you don’t own me.”
He reached toward my arm.
I stepped back.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
People nearby were watching.
Cassian glanced around.
His hand lowered.
I almost laughed.
That was his weakness.
He needed witnesses to believe he was charming.
Dante walked over only after Cassian stepped away.
“Problem?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Dante looked at Cassian.
Then back at me.
“All right.”
Cassian stared at him.
“That’s it?”
Dante frowned.
“What?”
“You’re not going to threaten me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Dante looked at me.
“Because she already handled you.”
I smiled.
Cassian didn’t.
Then two federal agents entered the ballroom.
Cassian’s face changed.
One approached him.
“Cassian Valtieri?”
The entire room quieted.
“We need to speak with you.”
Cassian looked toward his father.
Vittorio had already begun moving toward another exit.
A second agent intercepted him.
I turned toward my father across the ballroom.
Alaric stood alone.
Older somehow.
He met my eyes.
Later, he found me on the terrace.
“I gave them everything.”
“I heard.”
“I’m going to lose businesses.”
“Probably.”
“Friends.”
“Probably not real ones.”
He almost smiled.
Then he looked down.
“I almost lost you.”
“You did.”
That hurt him.
I let it.
Then I added:
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t earn something back.”
His eyes lifted.
“Is that possible?”
“I don’t know.”
I thought about Dante.
About choice.
About doors.
“But you can try.”
My father nodded.
Then he did something Alaric Lisandra almost never did.
He apologized.
Not elegantly.
Not perfectly.
May you like
But sincerely.
And for now, that was enough.
