Page 70 of I See You

The air in the room shifted. Both Helen and Harper blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the rare offering of information. Harper’s lips parted slightly in shock before a slow smile spread across her face, while Helen’s expression softened in quiet pride.

"Really?" Helen asked, her voice full of warmth. "That’s amazing, San. I know I don’t say it enough, but I’m proud of you."

Hassan gave a small nod, his face unreadable as always, but inside, something stirred. He turned slightly, catching the way Harper was still smiling, like she was savoring the moment.

For once, he let it linger.

???

Hassan walked Harper to her car, stopping beside her G-Wagon as the night air settled around them. She turned to him, her voice soft but steady. "I'm proud of you too, cousin."

Hassan scoffed, shaking his head slightly. "Proud of me for what, Harper?" His hands slid into his pockets, his tone unreadable.

"For keeping everything together, even when you're hurting. That takes a strong person. And I should’ve never called you broken," she admitted, sincerity lacing her words.

Hassan nodded but showed no emotion. "What, you had a talk with your friend?" He asked, already thinking about Sevyn.

Harper smirked, letting out a small laugh. "Yeah. She put me in my fucking place about you."

Something inside him shifted. The idea of Sevyn fighting forhim, defending him, when she didn’t even really know him—it did something to his chest. No one in his life had ever fought for him. He never needed anyone to. But her? She had, and she didn’t even have a reason to.

Harper turned back, her expression serious now. "She's good, Hassan. I know you don’t trust easily, and you have every reason not to, but Sevyn is good at what she does. Just give her a try."

Hassandidn’treact,didn’tmove.HealreadyknewSevynwas good.Knew it because she had cracked through something in him without even trying.

Instead of answering, he let the moment stretch before shutting the car door for her. "Get home safe," he said, effectively ending the conversation.

Harper nodded, knowing better than to push. As her headlights faded into the night, Hassan walked to his own car, sliding into the driver's seat. He drove to the casino, ready to drown himself in work. The night was still young, and he had business to handle.

But even as he worked, the only thing on his mind was her. And he knew—he had to see her again.

Hassan sat behind his desk, the weight of the night pressing against him. Midnight crept closer, but the fog in his mind refused to clear. Jules’ gym had helped. Seeing his grandmother had helped. But nothing eased the gnawing, restless feeling inside him. He needed to see her.

The laws sneaking around, the expansion plans moving forward— everything was demanding more from him. More risk. More reward. More control. But right now, the only thing he wanted to control was the distance between him and Sevyn.

He pulled out his phone, dialing Harper. The second her voice filled the speaker, the tension in his shoulders eased, but he knew she wasn’t asleep.

"Hassan, you good?" Her voice was calm, but he could hear the teasing laced in it.

"Aye, where Sevyn be at?" He asked, getting straight to the point. Silence. A pause too long to be innocent. He knew she was smiling. "Why?" Her tone was playful, like she was enjoying this.

Hassan’s patience thinned. "Harper, stop playing with me, cuh."

A small laugh, then, "She’s actually right here. You wanna talk to her?"

Hisjawtightenedatthesoundofherpettiness,butbeforehe could respond, another voice filled the line.

"Hello."

Soft. Smooth. The sound instantly reached into his chest, settling something inside him. Hassan exhaled, closing his eyes, letting the sound of her voice linger for a moment before taking another slow drag from his blunt.

The silence must have unsettled her because she spoke again, her voice a gentle push through the static in his mind.

"What’s wrong, Hassan?"

She already knew.How the fuck does she always know?

A quiet chuckle left his lips as he shook his head, not bothering to answer.

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