"Jesus, Isla." Maya set her mug down. "That's not just complicated, that's playing with fire."
"I know." I glanced at Leo again. "But what was I supposed to do? Show up at his office with a toddler and say 'Surprise, you're a father'? I needed to see what kind of man he was first. Whether he was dangerous. Whether he'd try to take Leo from me."
"And now?"
"Now, I'm in too deep to get out."
"And it’s too late to back out without looking suspicious." I ran a hand through my hair. "And I need this job, Maya. The salary is double what I was making before. Benefits for Leo. Stability."
"Stability?" Maya's eyebrows shot up. "There's nothing stable about working for your child's father who doesn't know he's a father."
"I know how it sounds."
"It sounds insane." Maya softened her tone, placing a hand on my arm. "Honey, you have to tell him."
"I can't." The fear that had lived in my chest for all this time flared. "You don't understand what kind of man he is. The power he has."
"What are you afraid of? That he'll take Leo?"
I nodded, unable to voice my deepest fear.
"Or that he won't want either of you?" Maya asked gently.
The question hit like a slap. Both possibilities terrified me equally—that Cassian would take my son, or that he would reject him. Reject us.
"I don't know what to do," I admitted, my voice small.
Maya pulled me into a hug. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time."
Over her shoulder, I watched Leo building his tower higher and higher. So innocent. So unaware of the complicated web his mother had woven.
"I have to go," I said, pulling away. "Early meeting."
"Tonight," Maya said firmly. "Wine. Talk. No excuses."
I managed a genuine smile this time. "Promise."
I kissed Leo goodbye, breathing in his sweet scent, drawing strength from his tight hug around my neck.
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I stepped into the building's lobby. Cassian's name flashed on the screen, but not his usual worknumber—this was his personal cell. The one he'd given me with strict instructions to use only for emergencies.
He'd never texted me from it before.
Cassian:My office. 9 a.m. Don't be late. -CB
I stared at the message, my stomach dropping. Using his personal line meant this wasn't just business. The terseness felt ominous. No "good morning," no context. Just a summons.
A second text came through immediately:
Cassian: The Calabrese files you prepared. We need to go over them before the meeting. Several issues need addressing.
My hands went cold. Issues? I'd triple-checked everything before leaving the office. What could be wrong?
I typed back with shaking fingers:
Me: Is there a problem with the analysis?
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
