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I was so damn happy my day was finally over. All I wanted to do was get home, run me some bathwater, and soak for a little while since I didn't get a chance to do it this morning. My body was still sore as hell, and being on my feet all day hadn't made it no better.

When I stepped outside, I spotted Banks standing beside the car. He was looking around the parking lot, paying attention to everybody coming out of the building and heading toward their cars. I didn't know what the hell he had going on, but he was acting like he was looking for somebody.

As I got closer, he opened the back door and waited until I got inside before closing it. Once he got behind the wheel, I noticed how quiet he was. Normally, Banks had something to say when he picked me up. He'd ask how my day went or we'd find something random to talk about, but today he wasn't saying much.

“Banks, you okay?” I asked, watching him through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, I'm good.” He glanced up at me before turning his attention back to the road.

“You sure? 'Cause you was out there looking around like you was searching for somebody.”

“Nah, I'm good, Ms. Barrett.”

“If you say so.” I shook my head and looked out the window.

I could tell something was going on, but I wasn't about to keep asking him the same damn question. If he didn't want to tell me, then whatever.

“Ms. Barrett,” he called after we'd been riding for a few minutes.

“Yes? And Banks, you can call me Shakaylen or Kaylen. You ain't gotta keep calling me Ms. Barrett.”

I didn't know what it was about him calling me by my last name, but that shit got under my skin. I heard it enough at work, and I damn sure didn't want to keep hearing it after I clocked out.

“Aight, Ms. Kaylen.” He chuckled. “When we get to the house, boss man wants to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“I'd rather let him tell you himself.”

I frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“It's something he needs to talk to you about. That's all I can say.”

“I guess.”

I rolled my eyes and sat back against the seat. I hated when people did that shit. If somebody had something to tell me, I'd rather they just come out and say it instead of having everybody acting like they knew something I didn't.

The rest of the ride was quiet, and I didn't bother asking Banks anything else.

When we finally pulled up at the house, Banks came around and opened my door. I thanked him as he helped me out, then headed inside. At first, I didn't see Cassian anywhere, but as I walked farther into the house, I caught the smell of something cooking.

I followed the smell into the kitchen and found him standing over the stove. I couldn't tell what he was making, but whatever it was smelled good as hell.

“What's up, ma?” He turned around when he heard me coming. “How was work?”

“Long as hell, but I'm glad it's over.” I adjusted my purse on my shoulder. “Banks said you wanted to talk to me.”

“Yeah, I do.” He turned the heat down on the stove. “But go upstairs and take your bath first. Food should be ready by the time you come back down.”

I looked at him for a second. “Cassian, what's going on?”

“We got something to discuss, ma. I'll tell you when you come back down.”

“Why you can't tell me now?”

“Because you just walked through the damn door, and I know you been on your feet all day. Go get comfortable. We got time to talk.”