Chapter 14: “...Promise You Won't Drop Me?

The office door flung open, Cassian strode in. His gaze swept over the empty bottle of wine, Bella sitting cross-legged sipping wine.

Then...his gaze settled on Iris. His eyes settled on her flushed face for a fraction of a second. "They said she was here." He spoke dryly.

Bella smiled lazily, swirling the glass of wine in her hand."They were right."

Cassian looked down at the bottle, his expression darkening. "...You got her drunk."

"It wasn't intentional." Bella's smile remained intact, not moved by her brother's anger that she touched his new toy.

"You're angry." She chuckled lightly, her eyes following his movements.

He looked at her, his poker face on, only this time, he looked like he just heard the most boring joke ever. "I don't waste anger."

Bella slowly placed her wine glass on the table.

"I invited her to lunch." Cassian just stared at her.

"I wanted to meet her." He didn't move.

Bella folded her arms, her smile had been replaced by a snarl. "So?"

Cassian's gaze never left hers.

"Do it again..." He paused. "...and I'll make sure you regret it."

The room fell deathly quiet. Bella's smug smile vanished. Her brother never made an empty threat, even to his siblings.

After a long moment… a small smile slowly spread across her face again. "...You're serious."

Cassian didn't reply to her. He walked past and her stopped beside Iris.

Bella watched his back her eye beaming with amusement. "...You're threatening your own sister." She stated a fact, a fact that they both weren't new to.

He adjusted Iris before she slipped from the chair. Without looking back, he said coldly: " You're my sister, but not an exception. Touch what's mine again and …” he glanced coldly over his shoulder, “you'll regret it.”

Bella's eyes narrowed. Her smile vanished as her eye followed her brother carrying the frail girl in his arms, until he was out of sight.

****

The afternoon breeze swept through the estate as the front doors opened. Cassian stepped outside with Iris sleeping soundly in his arms.

The SUV, with convoys, was already waiting. Several guards straightened immediately as he approached.

"Boss." They greeted at the same time.

He acknowledged them with a single nod. One of the guards hurried to open the rear door of the middle SUV.

Before Cassian could reach it...

Iris stirred.

"...Mmm." Her eyes fluttered open.

She stared at his face for several seconds before smiling sleepily. "...Marble Man."

Cassian didn't look down. "Go back to sleep."

Her brows drew together as she huffed,"...You're always giving orders."

He didn't say anything to her.

She lifted one hand and poked his cheek. "...See?You still have that one bossy expression."

A nearby guard lowered his head, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Cassian caught her wrist before she could poke him again. "Enough."

"...Bossy." She mumbled something under her breath before resting her head against his shoulder again.

The convoys remained perfectly silent. No one dared to look directly at them.

After a few steps… forward to the vehicle, Iris spoke again. "...Why do you smell nice?"

Cassian's stride never faltered.

"...Is it expensive?”

She sniffed the collar of his coat again and smiled like she discovered gold "...Definitely expensive."

One of the guards looked away, biting the inside of his cheek. This was the last thing he expected to see his boss doing.

Cassian shot him a single glance and the guard immediately straightened. "My apologies, Boss."

Cassian said nothing. He reached the SUV.

The rear door was already opened for them.As he leaned down to place Iris inside, she suddenly wrapped both arms around his neck."...No."

He paused. "...What?"

"I don't want the car." Her grip tightened. "It's …."

"We're leaving." He intercepted his hands, trying to peel her off him.

"...No." she whined.

"Iris." His jaw ticked.

She buried her face against his shoulder. "...Five more minutes."

For the first time…Cassian looked mildly inconvenienced. Not angry, just patiently annoyed.

"Iris."

"...Hmm?"

"Let go."

She shook her head. "...You're warm."

A long moment of silence followed after that statement.

Finally…

Cassian sighed almost imperceptibly.

"...You're drunk."

"...Mhm." she grinned sheepishly, her eyelids drooping close.

"You'll regret this tomorrow." She smiled with her eyes now closed.

"...That's tomorrow's problem."

For the first time, one corner of the driver's mouth twitched before he quickly hid it.

Cassian ignored it and looked down at her half sleeping form in his hands.

Only then did Iris loosen her grip enough for him to place her gently on the leather seat.

He reached over to fasten her seatbelt.

Still half asleep, She caught the sleeve of his jacket. "...Promise you won't drop me?"

His hand paused. "...I don't break my promises." His replied blandly, like he was talking about disposing a nuisance.

She grinned sleepily "...Good. Cause everyone I know does"

Within seconds...her eyes fluttered close and her chest rose as she slept.

Cassian stepped in swiftly and quietly closed the door.

"Drive." He commanded.

The convoy pulled away from Bella's estate, the bright mansion slowly fading away like a kindling flame.