119

119
CASSIAN'S POV

It's all muted.

I squint against the blur as a high-pitched shriek slashes through my head. My cheek feels like ice on the metal floor. My throat is burning. My lungs hurt.

Then—her voice.

"Aurora?" I make a croak.

My hand struggles through the shadows until it comes into contact with her shoulder. She groans as she jerks beneath my touch.

"Hey Aurora—take a breath. It's all right. I've got you.

"What the hell was that?" I asked. She coughs and murmurs.

"Gas." A sedative of some sort. Not fatal, slow release. I support her as she struggles to sit up, her body shaking. "You may have fainted for ten minutes."

She glances around the elevator, which is still quiet and dark except for the faint flickering emergency light above. Her hands are pressed to her forehead. “This wasn’t a malfunction.”

"No," I coldly concur. "That was the target."

She doesn't inquire as to who may do it. We both know our list of foes is long—and increasing.

She mutters, "I can't do this," as she tries to rise. Her legs give way. Before she can strike the ground again, I grab her.

“Easy.” I gently lower her again. “You’re still dizzy.”

"I'm not interested. I must leave this fucking box.

"I understand." My breath came out sharply. "But at the moment, we don't have control."

She looks me in the eye. “Just say it.”

"What do you say?"

“That you think someone’s trying to get to us. Or keep us quiet. or Leo.

The idea strikes with the force of a sledgehammer. "Don't—don't include him in this. Not till we find out.

Aurora looks at nothing while pressing her back against the wall. She speaks in a chilly tone. "They have already done so."

Between us, there is silence. heavy. weighed.

Then she whispers, "You said that you are concerned about Leo. Show it.

With caution, I turn to her. "How?"

"Whatever you're planned, stop it. Get away from Verdant. Give up attempting to find out what I'm developing by tugging threads behind closed doors. Let me go to work. Give me a moment to breathe.

"Are you requesting that I do nothing?"

"Please refrain from undermining me. Or make use of me.

I clench my jaw. "I haven't—"

“You already are, Cassian. You used a shell corporation to make your investment. I tracked down the funds. You kept it a secret from me.

I let out a slow breath, feeling guilty. "I didn't intend to trap you."

"No?" she yells. Then what was it? Insurance? Use leverage?

I turn my head away.

She gives a sour chuckle. "All right. I had that notion.

"I had no idea how to get in touch with you." I'm speaking more quietly now. "I wasn't sure if you would ever let me."

"And you believed that ownership was the solution?"

"I wondered if I could be of any assistance, even from the shadows."

Shadows are unnecessary for Leo. He must be protected. I must be safe.

I put my elbows on my knees and lean forward. "Then let's work out an agreement."

Aurora gives me a suspicious glance. "What's the deal?"

"We declare a pause. No legal wrangling. No covert power. For Verdant, you do the necessary actions. I'll move away.

"And in exchange?"

"I desire time." Alongside Leo.

She becomes motionless.

"I'm not requesting complete custody. or possibly dual custody. I just I'm curious about him. as his dad.

She looks into my eyes. "Are you serious?"

"I'm not kidding."

She closes her eyes and rests her head on the wall. "You're going to abandon your board's efforts to buy us out?"

"Yes."

"You'll cease looking into Celeste Marlowe?"

"Yes."

"You'll quit looking for ways to make me pay you back?"

A rhythm. I then give a nod. "Yes."

She lets out a slow, ragged breath. You also get to spend time with Leo under supervision in exchange. I'm only willing to provide that at this time.

"I'll accept it."

Another long silence. Then, almost to herself, she says, "I didn't think you'd agree."

"If I had known what I was losing, I would have agreed sooner."

She tilts her head slightly in my direction. "You don't usually acknowledge your mistakes."

"I also don't have a tendency to be given second chances."

She examines her fingers. Her ring is twisted. halts.

She says, "Don't make me regret this."

"I refuse to."

“I mean it, Cassian. The second this ceasefire seems like a trap, I’m gone.”

"I understand."

Her lips pulls into a tiny line. “For Leo’s sake, I’ll try.”

Try.

It’s not forgiveness. It’s not even trust.

But it’s a crack in the wall. A place to begin.

A sound resonates above us—a clank of gears, followed by moaning metal.

Aurora automatically reaches for my hand. I grab it securely.

The elevator then shakes. Slowly, it starts to rise.

“They’re pulling us up,” I reply.

She doesn't talk. Her breathing is shallow.

White fluorescent light rushes in when the doors finally creak open. A group of well-dressed engineers rushes in our direction. A lady wearing a headset and with slender shoulders waves her hand in front of Aurora's face.

"Madam? Are you okay? Are you able to stand?

Aurora gives a gentle nod. I assist her in standing up.

The engineer looks at me. For six minutes, we were unable to remotely access the elevator system. A local override was executed by someone. It was advanced. It is more than a blackout. This was done on purpose.

I look at Aurora. She has a calm, pale face.

"Any leads?" I inquire.

The lady pauses. "We are examining security video. However, just before the blackout, the camera in this shaft turned dark.

Easy to use.

Too easy.

I cover Aurora's back with my hand. "We'll work together. But she needs air right now.

Aurora holds onto my sleeve as we leave. She speaks softly. "This was more than just a message."

"I understand."

"They put us to the test."

I give a nod. "And they'll make another effort."

In the corridor, she pauses. Looks at me.

"What I said, I meant. We are not allies. We're not pals. However, we will need one another to endure what is ahead.

"Then I won't disappoint you."

She seems to be looking for something sincere in my face as her eyes dart over me.

For once, I believe she may. Almost.

However, I see a guy across the room observing us as we enter the foyer.

Not an employee. Not safety.

And certainly not a person I know.

He is speaking into a phone that he never really puts to his ear while sporting a dapper blue coat.

Aurora also sees him. She becomes tight all throughout.

"Are you acquainted with him?" I inquire.

"No," she responds hastily. Too soon.

He disappears around the corner before I can question her further.

But her hand won’t stop trembling in mine.

And I know this truce?

It’s only the beginning of something far more dangerous.