Page 42 of Cruel Deception
“There are rules you will follow.”
He held the gun easily, not aiming it, just letting its weight speak.
“This is a SIG Sauer P226. Standard for special forces. Fires fast. Kills clean.”
My mouth went dry.
“You do not leave this estate without informing me,” he said.
Rule number one.
“Why?” I asked, before I could stop myself. “Am I a prisoner?”
He cocked the gun. The sound snapped through the air. My breath caught.
“Yes,” he said flatly, gaze never leaving mine. “You are my prisoner.”
I flinched. “I don’t want to be your prisoner in what’s meant to be a temporary marriage.”
He stalked over. Then, to my shock, he dropped the gun onto my lap.
I froze. The cold weight of the metal pressed against my legs, heavier than I expected. He didn’t say a word—just waited, eyes hard.
“You don’t question me. You obey.” His tone was low, lethal.
Then: “Hold the gun. Point it at me.”
I stared. Was he serious?
“You want me to—?”
“Charlotte.” My name sounded dangerous in his mouth. Dangerous and... intimate. A twisted warmth uncoiled in my stomach. Ugh. What is wrong with me?
I slowly picked up the gun, trying to hide my trembling hands with forced confidence. It was absurdly heavy. I’d been in street fights, sure, but I’d never held a weapon like this in my life.
Cassian didn’t move. He just watched me struggle, arms crossed.
“You are never to speak to or contact Luca again,” he added, like it was nothing.
Rule number two.
I stopped pretending I could hold the gun properly and nodded, setting it gently down beside me.
“Delete his number. Block it. Now.”
I hesitated. Luca might still be the key to finding my mother. The only reason I hadn’t brought it up when I saw him earlier was because he ambushed me with that divorce paper. Still...
Eventually, I pulled out my phone, memorized the last few digits of Luca’s number just in case, then deleted and blocked him.
“Done,” I said, quietly.
“But you could just tell the guards not to let me out instead of calling it a rule,” I muttered.
He ignored me.
“What did Luca say to you?”
Of course, he’d ask.
