Page 102 of Cruel Deception
But then it vanished.
“Don’t twist this, Charlotte,” he snapped, his voice suddenly louder. “He saved me for his own reasons. He doesn’t do kindness. He doesn’t save people unless it benefits him.”
I stared at him, heart splintering.
“Still...” I murmured, more to myself than to him. “He didn’t let you die. That counts for something.”
Vincent didn’t answer.
He just looked away.
I collapsed onto the nearest chair, burying my face in my hands, sobbing so hard I couldn’t breathe. My throat burned. My chest ached. I had let Vincent poison my head. Maybe I misjudged everything. Maybe Cassian wasn’t the monster I thought.
Fifteen agonizing minutes later, the two Brazilian men returned.
“We searched every inch. He’s not here,” the tall one said.
“You still owe us,” the short one added.
Vincent nodded. “Fine.” But then he frowned. “Wait. What the fuck is that in your hands?”
They were holding jewelry. Watches. Badges.
Cassian’s.
My eyes widened. “Drop it. Now!”
“Relax,” the short man sneered. “What’re you gonna do? Call security? We’ll tell them you killed your husband.”
“Drop it!” I screamed, but they just laughed and left, brushing past me like I was nothing.
Once they were gone, I turned on Vincent. “You brought strangers here? You wanted this to stay hidden, and you let criminals inside?!”
“That’s what they do,” Vincent snapped. “They clean up murders. I don’t want you going to jail.”
I shook my head, trembling. “What now?”
“I’ll get you out of here. He’s probably gone. Or dead.”
“No... he’s still here. I can feel it.”
“Those two searched everywhere.”
I didn’t believe him.
He grabbed me by the wrist, pulling me toward the exit. I fought back, but he dragged me like a ragdoll, my legs limp with grief.
And then—I screamed.
Two bodies lay outside. The Brazilian men. Their necks twisted grotesquely—snapped backward 180 degrees. My stomach turned.
This was Cassian’s signature.
Oh God. He’s alive.
“Vincent...” I whispered, stepping back. “Run.”
Vincent had already dropped my hand. He turned to flee—but a shot rang out.
