Chapter 28
Mikhail
I’m sprawled out on the couch, combing through security footage from our problematic dropside locations, when the news channel on the TV catches my attention.
It’s set to Riverside, NY.
It’s always set to Riverside, as if watching the current events from Cassandra’s town could make me feel closer to her, more connected to her life.
I turn up the volume as the weather reporter explains the icy condition of the streets with a concerned expression. Worry floods me as the camera zooms in on the street just outside the university gates, the one on Cassandra’s daily commute.
Her car’s a beater. No match for black ice.
I’m up, walking out the door with my keys in hand before I can even talk myself out of it. I’ll give my Little Menace as much space as I can, so long as it doesn’t interfere with keeping her safe.
A part of me whispers that Ivan could just drive her home from school. That I should do as she asked and stay away. Unfortunately, that sliver of morality is easily forgotten in the wave of concern that rushes through me, and I’m behind the wheel on my way upstate just ten minutes later.
After sitting in the car for a little over an hour, I finally catch the heavenly sight of soft, bouncing curls through the chilled glass. I slip out of the car and lean against the door, watching Cassandra trek down the brick path with a blonde girl by her side.
That must be Sophia.
She’s the one who came with Cass to my club. Ivan says the two are together more days than not. They must be close.
I tug at my collar, my nerves getting the better of me. Sophia is clearly important to my girl, and I’m sure she’s already heard plenty to sway her view of me. I clear my throat to ground myself.
Cass’s gaze swivels directly to mine, like her body could somehow sense me long before her mind. I watch carefully as her expression morphs, taking on a full range of emotions. Surprise, disbelief, anger.
I stay still, allowing her to approach me at her own pace. God, she’s as beautiful as ever, wrapped in a poofy coat like an adorable little marshmallow.
“Ivan wasn’t enough? Now you’re following me around, too?”
“Following you? Oh shit, this is him?” The blonde’s face morphs too, first confusion and then full-on rage. “She told you to stay away from her, man. That’s the fucking least you could do after all you’ve put her through!”
I wince, her reminder hitting its mark.
“I saw on the news that there’s black ice all over the road,” I say, raising my hands in what I hope is a disarming position.
If my soldiers could see me now, completely cowed by two tiny women.
“I just came to drive you home. We should take Sophia, too. I don’t think your car will be safe on these roads. ”
Cass stays silent, eyebrows quirking like she’s trying to decipher the trick behind my words. I take the opportunity to extend my hand to Sophia, tensing in anticipation of the incoming touch.
“You must be Sophia. I know you’re really important to Cassandra. I’m grateful she has you.”
Thankfully, Sophia ignores the gesture, instead crossing her arms against her chest in a judgmental stance. My hand lowers, jaw twitching with respect.
“I don’t shake the hands of men who hurt my best friend.”
I smile. This is exactly who I’d want at Cassandra’s back. The protective bite of her words, however misguided, makes me thankful that she’s in Cass’s corner.
“I respect that. I intend to win you over, one day, but I understand if today isn’t that day.
” My gaze locks onto Cassandra, whose eyes are flying between me and Sophia like she’s watching a tennis tournament.
“I’ll have Ivan drive your car back to your house, and I can get both of you home in less than fifteen minutes. ”
“And then what?” Cass says, her brow cocking with suspicion once more.
“And then I leave. Immediately.”
I shift between my legs in anticipation.
“You came all this way, just to drive my friend and me home?”
“Yes. I just want you girls safe.”
Her face twists like she wants to decline.
I inch forward. “Please, Menace, just let me get you guys home safe.”
I watch intently, the gears turning behind her gaze, before she turns to whisper something to Sophia. The blonde gives me another glare, whispering back. Finally, Cass looks back up at me with those rainy grey irises.
“Fine. But afterwards, you have to go.”
“Of course,” I reply, happily walking to the backseat door and letting both girls in.
I have a feeling they’ll feel more comfortable sitting together instead of being split up between the front seat and the back.
When both are settled, an uncomfortable silence choking the confines of the car, I pull out onto the road.
We drop Sophia off first, who exits the vehicle with an impressive cache of threats, all of which are aimed in my direction. I believe her final words were “I’m tracking her, you pig.”
I think I like her.
When I pull out of the driveway, Cassandra’s still sitting in the backseat of the car, face frozen in an unreadable expression. I keep my eyes trained on her through the rearview mirror as I pull back onto the street.
Surprisingly, she’s the one who breaks the silence.
“I guess you remembered.”
“Remembered what, Menace?” My eyes meet hers in the mirror before they flick back to the street.
“Lavender. The smelly shrubs.”
“Ah. Actually, it’s growing on me.”
She snorts, head turning to look out the window. “Oh really?”
“I won’t lie, I killed the first pot I bought, but it seems like I’ve finally gotten the hang of it. I guess I’ve got something of a green thumb.”
Her face flashes, eyes finding mine once more. “You’re growing it?”
“Don’t look so surprised.” The corner of my lips lifts.
The drive goes by way too fast, and before I know it, I’m pulling into her driveway. Tension lines my bones. Here comes the hard part. Leaving her.
I pull to a stop, watching her hand hover on the door handle.
“Thanks.” She whispers, and then she slides from the seat, and the door clicks shut. A strange combination of joy and sadness overcomes me as I watch her walk up the steps to her porch and disappear inside.