CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

RAFAEL

I had been guarding Cassian for three weeks now. Every day. Every hour. The boy was stubborn, loud, and far too emotional for my liking. But I endured it. For now.

I stood in Dante’s study with my hands clasped behind my back as he and Kade spoke. Lucien was leaning against the wall, watching me with that usual amused look on his face.

“Cassian will be returning to the United States tomorrow,” Dante said. “We would have preferred to send you with him, but you are the Head of Intelligence. We cannot simply let you leave the kingdom like that.”

I listened quietly, my face blank.

Then, an idea struck me.

This was it.

This was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

Going to the United States with Cassian would remove me from the constant watch of the kings. I would have space. Freedom. Time to move without anyone breathing down my neck. Guarding the boy would be the perfect cover. No one would question why I was there.

I looked at Dante.

“I will go with him.”

The room went silent for a moment.

Lucien raised an eyebrow. Kade tilted his head slightly. Dante stared at me, clearly surprised.

“You want to go?” Dante asked, his voice low.

“Yes.”

Lucien pushed himself off the wall. “That’s new. You’ve been complaining about guarding him since day one. What changed?”

I kept my tone calm and cold.

“He has become… important,” I said. “I would rather not leave his safety in the hands of others.”

It was a lie, of course. But it was believable enough.

Dante studied me for a few seconds. I could tell he was trying to figure out if I was being honest or not. Eventually, he gave a small nod.

“Very well,” he said. “If that is what you want, then you may go. I will inform Cassian.”

Lucien smirked. “This should be interesting.”

I didn’t reply. I simply gave a small bow and left the study.

The next day, we boarded the private jet.

Cassian sat across from me, staring out the window with a tired expression. He hadn’t spoken much since Dante told him I would be accompanying him. I could tell he was unhappy about it, but he didn’t argue. At least not in front of the kings.

The flight was long and quiet. I spent most of it going through files on my laptop while Cassian slept or pretended to sleep. I didn’t care either way.

When we finally landed in the United States, a black car was already waiting for us at the private terminal. The driver greeted us and took our bags. Cassian got into the car without a word, and I followed after him.

The drive to his house was silent. Cassian kept his eyes on the road outside, clearly in a bad mood. I didn’t bother trying to make conversation. There was no need.

When we arrived at his house, I took a quick look around. It was large and modern, but not as heavily secured as I would have liked. I would have to fix that later.

Cassian walked inside and dropped his bag on the floor. He turned to me with an annoyed expression.

“Pick any room you want,” he muttered. “I don’t care. Just stay out of my way.”

I didn’t reply. I simply picked up my bag and walked upstairs.

I chose the room furthest from his. It gave me more privacy and a better view of the surroundings. After dropping my bag on the bed, I closed the door and pulled out my phone.

I dialed a number and waited.

It rang twice before someone picked up.

“I’m in,” I said.