While Carmela and Joy were facing each other right now—Cassius himself was looking at Carmela with absolute adoration right now.
After all, he had only expected a show from Joy—that was why he'd let himself be bound, why he'd watched with such amused curiosity.
He wanted to see what the newly transformed saint would do, what new tricks she had up her sleeve.
But this? Carmela standing between them, daggers drawn, ready to fight her own friend for his sake?
His heart swelled.
The words she had spoken—calling him kind, gentle, funny, foolish—echoed in his mind.
It all meant that she cherished him. She truly, deeply cared for him. Enough to face a saint in battle. Enough to risk everything.
'So you do love me.' His eyes seemed to say as he gazed at her back with an intensity that could melt steel. 'You really do love me after all.'
Carmela could feel his stare boring into her.
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, the heat spreading down her neck.
