There was nothing for a second. Just blackness that was so thick it was hard to breathe. The polite talk of the gala guests changed into a chorus of shocked gasps, a few quiet curses, and the sound of drinks being quickly laid down. Cassidy's heart raced in her ears as she stood still, her senses on high alert. It wasn't an accident that the lights went out. She knew Vaughn had set this up. A hand brushed over her wrist quickly and on purpose. She turned abruptly, but before she could do anything, a powerful grip tightened around her arm. A deep voice said, "Move." She knew it right away. Alex. Cassidy didn't waste time wondering how he got here. He tugged her forward, making his way through the dark, frightened whispers and moving bodies. "Let go of me," she said quietly. "No way," he said, holding on tight but not hurting her. "You're about to learn what happens when you enter Vaughn's world without being ready." Cassidy wanted to fight and get answers, but then she heard it: a click in the distance, the unmistakable sound of a weapon being prepared. Her heart raced with fear. She let him pull her. They hurried rapidly through the ballroom, dodging the turmoil as security guards rushed to take charge of the situation. Someone was yelling orders, but Cassidy was too busy moving to pay attention. The emergency lights turned on, but they were dim enough to cast an unsettling glow across the room. There was no sign of Vaughn. Alexander didn't stop until they got to a side door. He pushed the door open and pulled her into the chilly night air. He let go of her wrist and turned to face her as soon as they got into the alley. "What the hell were you thinking?" Cassidy pulled her arm away, rage coursing through her veins. "Excuse me?" He snapped, "You walked right into Vaughn's hands." "Do you know what would have happened if I hadn't been here?" Cassidy stepped closer, defiant. "You can't tell me what to do, Cross." I had things under control. He clinched his jaw. "You thought you could handle it." Vaughn recognized who you were right away as you stepped in. Cassidy didn't want to say he was right. But the reality was eating away at her. Vaughn had almost immediately recognized her. And then the blackout happened. Something to take your mind off of it. He wanted her to be weak. Her stomach turned. She said, "You were spying on me." Alexander put his arms across his chest. "I was looking at you. There is a distinction. "Is there?" She gave him a dirty look. "From where I'm standing, it looks like you don't believe I can do this job." His face got darker. "I don't trust Vaughn not to kill you as soon as you become a problem." Cassidy let out a short breath. "I had to get close to him. He is guarded, but I can sense he is hiding something major. If I can convince him to fall- Alexander interrupted, "You don't have time for that." "Vaughn is done with games. He simply made you a target. Cassidy took a deep breath. "Then I guess I should hurry up." Alexander swore under his breath. "You're not listening to me." She moved closer to him, her eyes blazing with purpose. "Oh, I can hear you just fine, Cross. You think I'm a careless journalist who is getting in over my head. But you can't choose for me. His eyes were riveted on hers, and behind those icy blue eyes, a tempest was brewing. "And what if Vaughn decides he doesn't want you to look around anymore? When he decides to get rid of the problem? Cassidy smiled. "Then I'll make sure I get to him first." For a short while, they didn't say anything. The city was alive with noise, with automobile horns honking and sirens wailing in the distance. There was a lot of tension between them, like it was charged with something Cassidy didn't want to name. Alexander shook his head and breathed out through his nostrils. "You're not possible." "That's why I'm good at what I do," she said back. There was something illegible that flickered on his face. "Come with me." Cassidy thought about it. "Why?" "Because if you keep playing this game without knowing all the rules, you'll die." She put her arms across her chest. "And now you're my knight in shining armor?" His lips turned into something that seemed like it could be harmful. "Not at all." But I do know what Vaughn is going to do next. Cassidy looked at him closely to see if she could trust him. The trouble was that she didn't trust anyone. But Alexander had never told her a lie. Not once. She gritted her teeth. "Okay. But I swear to God, if this is a trap— "It's not," he responded in a calm voice. "I'm starting to think you might be more dangerous than Vaughn himself." Cassidy smiled. "You're not sure." The House of Safety There was no noise in the automobile, but it wasn't empty. There was still tension between them, and unspoken words filled the space as Alexander drove across the city, taking turns that lead them deeper into a secluded area. Cassidy finally said something. "Where are we going?" He simply said, "A safe house." She frowned. "For whom?" "For you." Cassidy laughed. "I don't need a damn safe house, Cross." I need— "You need time to think about what to do next before Vaughn does it for you," he said. "I told you, you're in this now." And you won't leave without a fight. Cassidy made fists. She hated that he was right. The car stopped in front of an unmarked building that was hidden among the warehouses along the waterfront. Alexander shut off the engine and looked at her. "Come on," he murmured, already getting out. Cassidy thought about it before following. The inside looked sleek and futuristic, with minimalist furnishings and high-tech surveillance displays on the walls. It wasn't a storehouse at all. It was a stronghold. She turned to look at him. "This isn't just a safe place, is it?" His lips moved. "No." It hit me. "It's yours." His silence was proof. Cassidy took a deep breath. "I should have known you'd have a place like this." "Being ready is the most important thing," he remarked effortlessly. She crossed her arms. "So what's next? You keep me locked up here till Vaughn is taken care of? Alexander's eyes grew black. "No." But you're not falling into another trap either. Cassidy let out a deep breath and walked over to one of the security cameras. Vaughn was out there making plans. He would not go away. She looked back at Alexander. "Then let's get to work." The edges of his lips curled. "I didn't think you'd ever say that." Cassidy didn't know what worried her more: that she was now working with the man she had planned to kill... Or that she was beginning to believe him. One thing was for sure: this was far from over.
