Each word hit like a physical blow. Someone had been watching my son. Taking photos. Deciding whether he was useful.
"How do we stop him?" The question came out as a whisper.
I stood on shaking legs, needing distance, needing air. "What have you done? What world have you dragged us into?"
"A world where Leo will have my name, my protection, my legacy." His expression softened slightly. "But also a world with risks. That's why you're here. Where I can keep you safe."
"Safe." I laughed, the sound broken and bitter. "You want me to feel safe with a mafia boss? That's your definition of safe?"
"Safer than anywhere else in this city." He reached for me, but I jerked away.
"Don't touch me."
Pain flashed across his face, quickly masked. "Isla—"
"Did you plan to tell me?" The question burst out of me, fury mixing with fear. "Or were you just going to let me figure it out eventually? Let me wake up one day and realize my son's father is a criminal?"
"When it was necessary," he said carefully. "It's necessary now."
"Because I overheard you!" I gestured toward his office. "That's not honesty, Cassian. That's damage control."
"You're right." The admission surprised me. "I should have told you before. Before I brought you here, before I asked you to trust me with Leo's safety."
"Trust." The word tasted bitter. "How can I trust you now?"
"Because everything I've done has been to protect him. To protect you both." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration cracking through his controlled facade. "The security, the move, all of it. I'm trying to keep you safe."
"From what? From who?" A new terror crystallized. "That man you mentioned on the phone. Matteo. Who is he?"
Cassian's expression darkened. "My cousin. We grew up together, learned the business together. But he wants what I have—the territory, the power, everything. And he's not patient about getting it."
"And if he finds out about Leo?"
"He'll use him." Cassian's voice was flat, certain. "As leverage. As a weakness to exploit. That's why I moved you here. Why I need you where I can protect you."
I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the warmth of the room. "This is insane. All of this. I thought—I thought you were just a businessman. Ruthless, maybe, but legal."
"The oil business is legal. Profitable, even." He moved to the window, staring out at his city. "Everything else exists in the shadows. But it's real, Isla. And now that you know, you have a choice to make."
"What choice?" I asked hollowly.
"Stay. Let me protect you and Leo. Accept that this is who I am and what I'm capable of." He turned back to face me. "Or leave. Take Leo and run, and spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, wondering when Matteo or someone like him will find you."
"That's not a choice. That's a threat."
"It's reality." His voice softened. "I know you're scared. I know this isn't what you wanted. But I'm asking you to trust that I'll do whatever it takes to keep you both safe. Even the ugly things. Especially the ugly things."
I stared at him, this man who'd fathered my child, who'd held me in Miami like I was precious, who now admitted to killing people when "necessary."
"I need time," I said, my voice breaking. "I need to think."
"Take all the time you need." He stepped back, giving me space. "But understand—you're not leaving this penthouse. Not until the situation with Matteo is contained."
"So I'm a prisoner."
"You're protected." His eyes held mine. "There's a difference."
I turned away, unable to look at him anymore. "I need to check on Leo."
