“That’s not enough,” I say immediately.
“It’s what you’re getting, to start. Once the boys are comfortable with you, we can discuss increasing time and frequency.”
“How long until they’re comfortable?”
“As long as it takes. Weeks. Maybe months.”
“Months?”
“You traumatized them, Cassian.” Nadia’s voice doesn’t waver. “They’re five years old, and men tried to grab them from their school. It’s going to take time for them to trust you.”
“They’re my sons.”
“Then act like their father instead of treating them like property you’re owed.”
The words cut deeper than they should.
Declan leans forward. “What are the specific terms? Walk us through it.”
Nadia looks at her notes. “Visits happen at the Vance estate. You arrive at the scheduled time, no earlier, no later. Aurelia will be present with the boys. Julian and I will be in the house, but not in the room unless requested. Security stays outside. Visits last a maximum of two hours. You leave when time is up, no arguments.”
“And if I want to take them somewhere? A park, a restaurant, somewhere that isn’t the Vance estate?”
“Not for the first month. They need to get to know you in a controlled environment before we introduce variables.”
“A month of sitting in a room under guard.”
“A month of building trust with your sons,” Nadia corrects. “Take it or leave it.”
Julian speaks for the first time since sitting down. “You try to take them again, the deal is off. You show up drunk or high or violent, the deal is off. You say anything to those boys that scares them or manipulates them against their mother, the deal is off. This is a privilege, not a right. Act accordingly.”
“I’m their father. I have a right to them.”
“Not one you’ve earned yet.”
We glare at each other across the table.
“First visit is in two days,” Nadia says finally. “Saturday afternoon. Three p.m. You’ll have two hours. Aurelia will introduce you as someone who wants to get to know them. How she explains your relationship is up to her.”
“I want to be introduced as their father.”
“That’s not your decision.”
“Like hell it isn’t.”
“Cassian.” Declan’s voice is low. “Take what they’re offering.”
I want to argue. Want to flip this table and tell Julian to go to hell and take my sons home with me right now. But Nadia’s right. I traumatized them. They’re scared of me.
And if I push now, I lose my chance to fix that.
“Fine,” I say. “Saturday. Three p.m. Two hours.”
“Good.” Nadia makes a note. “We’ll send you the address. Park in the circular driveway. Ring the bell. Don’t try to explore the property or test security. Just come in, spend time with the boys, and leave when time is up.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. Bring something small. A gift. Nothing expensive or extravagant. Just something that shows you thought about them. It’ll help break the ice.”
