Chapter Four

LYSANDRA

‎The day went by quickly. I traced the same path from the bedroom to the library to the empty living area. It was silent as ever. I found myself staring at the closed terrace door, my hand hovering near the handle.

‎“If you touch it, an alarm will ring."

‎I spun around and there he was, leaning in the doorway, watching me. How long had he been there?

‎“I wasn’t going to—”

‎“I know. The thought didn’t get far enough. Did you find a book?”

‎“No.”

‎“Bored already?”

‎“I’m not here to be entertained. You said you’d tell me about Elara.”

‎He checked his watch. “The procedure has another hour, but she’s stable. No news is good news. For now.”

‎“For now.” I wrapped my arms around myself. “That’s not good enough.”

‎“It will have to be.” He walked further into the room, his presence shrinking the space. “We have a function tonight.”

‎“A function?”

‎“A VGM charity gala. And you’ll be there.”

‎I stared at him. “You’re joking. You lock me in a penthouse and then want to take me to a party?”

‎“I want you seen. It manages the narrative.”

‎“What narrative? That you’ve acquired a new pet?”

‎“Precisely. It's a frivolous, expensive indulgence alright. But it’s less suspicious than a secret. You’ll wear what is provided, stay by my side and keep a smiling face. Most importantly, you’ll only speak when spoken to, understood?”

‎“I’m not a doll you can just dress up.”

‎“For the next six months, you are whatever I require you to be. Tonight, I require a smiling, silent accessory. Is that a problem for the asset?”

‎The word ‘asset’ was a slap. I looked away, toward the locked terrace. “No. No problem.”

‎“Good. A team will be here at six to prepare you.” He turned to leave.

‎“Cassian.”

‎He stopped. It was the first time I’d used his name.

‎“Why are you really doing this? The debt… my father… it’s connected, isn’t it? This isn’t random.”

‎He didn’t turn around. “Your father is a ghost, a bad memory. He’s irrelevant to this.”

‎“Then make me relevant! Give me something other than silence and commands!”

‎He finally turned. His expression was unreadable. “Your relevance is sitting in a hospital bed. That is all you need to know. Be ready at seven.”

‎The door shut behind him. I was alone with the silence again.

‎CASSIAN

‎My phone rang the moment I entered my study. Sebastian Croft. I answered on the third ring.

‎“Cassian! I hear you made a rather spectacular purchase last night. A million dollars? For a bit of mystery? I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

‎“What do you want, Sebastian?”

‎“Can’t a friend check in? Rumor is she’s stunning and completely unknown. A rare find. Wherever did you dig her up?”

‎“My personal life is not a topic for your amusement.”

‎“Everything about you is a topic for amusement, Cassian. It’s why I love this industry. So, are you... bringing her to the gala tonight? Putting her on display?”

‎“Is there a point to this call?”

‎“Just… be careful. A shiny new toy can be a distraction. And a distraction makes you vulnerable. You know how wolves love a distraction.”

‎“Are you a wolf, Sebastian?”

‎“My dear man, I’m the whole damn pack. See you tonight. Can’t wait to meet her.”

‎The line went dead. He knew... Of course he knew. He’d make a play tonight. He can’t help himself.

‎LYSANDRA

‎A team of silent, efficient women arrived at six. They zipped me into a dress of shiny silver that felt like it cost more than my life. They styled my hair, applied makeup and by the time they were done , I couldn’t recognize the woman in the mirror.

‎He was waiting in the foyer. His eyes swept over me, a cold, clinical assessment. “Acceptable. Remember the rules, stay close, smile and say nothing of consequence.”

‎“Or what? You’ll throw me back on the auction block?”

‎His hand shot out, gripping my chin, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to freeze me. “Or the next call I get about your sister’s treatment will be the last one I authorize. Understood?”

‎I tried to nod against his grip. “Understood.”

‎“Good.” He released me and offered his arm. It wasn’t a request. “Now let’s go.”

‎The gala was a blur of light and noise. A thousand eyes on us, whispers following in our wake. He kept my hand tucked firmly in the crook of his arm, a possessive cage.

‎A man with a too-perfect smile and cold eyes intercepted us. “Cassian! There you are. And this must be the enchanting mystery.”

‎Cassian’s arm tightened. “Sebastian Croft. Lysandra.”

‎“A pleasure.” Sebastian took my free hand, kissing it. His lips were cold. “You're an absolute vision. No wonder Cassian was so… protective. Tell me, my dear, how does it feel to be the most talked-about woman in the city?”

‎I forced a smile, my cheeks aching. “It’s overwhelming.”

‎“I bet. And so sudden. Cassian is notorious for his privacy. To make such a public show of this… it must be something truly special.”

‎Cassian’s voice was a low warning. “Sebastian.”

‎“What? I’m just making conversation. I’m fascinated. What is it you do, my dear? Before you captivated our most elusive bachelor?”

‎I opened my mouth, but Cassian answered for me. “She’s busy with some projects. Currently, she’s with me.”

‎Sebastian’s smile widened. “Lucky man. Well, I won’t keep you. Do enjoy the party. I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of each other.”

‎He melted back into the crowd. Cassian’s grip was bruising.

‎“I need fresh air.”

‎“There’s a balcony, and you have two minutes.” He steered me through the crowd.

‎The night air was cold. I leaned against the railing, trying to breathe.

‎“He knows,” I whispered.

‎“He knows nothing my dear. He’s just guessing and he's trying to fish.”

‎“He’s going to dig around. He’s going to find out about Elara, about the debt.”

‎Cassian turned me to face him, his expression fierce. “He will find nothing, because you will give him nothing. Your only job is to be a beautiful, empty smile. Can you do that? Or did I overestimate my asset?”

‎Before I could answer, my own phone—a new, private one he’d given me that only had his number—buzzed in his pocket. He’d confiscated it. He pulled it out, his face darkening as he read the screen.

‎“What is it? Is it Elara?”

‎He didn’t answer. He just held up the phone for me to see.

‎The message was from an unknown number.

‎Unknown: She’s pretty. A shame if something happened to her pretty little sister, too. Tell your new boss to answer his phone.

‎