Janet swallowed hard as she drove. She could feel Cas's gaze drilling into the back of her head like heat. The court had granted that he would remain under her supervision for the duration of the investigation. Since, Cas didn't live in the state, he had nowhere to stay.
After a brief discussion, she and her sister had agreed that Cas would spend the night at her place, then move to a hotel the next day. He didn't object. Just gave a careless shrug, like it didn't matter either way.
She tried to focus on the road. Soon, she'd be alone with him.
When they pulled up to her sister's house, the two exchanged goodbyes. Janet watched her sister disappear through the gate, then turned the key in the ignition again. Neither spoke a word, not even when they pulled up to her driveway.
Janet climbed out first. Cas followed, his gaze sweeping over the car, then the quiet neighborhood, before settling back on her.
"This way," she murmured, unlocking the door and pushing it open. Her voice came out lower than she expected—almost a whisper.
Janet followed him through the entrance. After locking the door, she reached for the light switch—only to feel a strong hand grip her waist. In one swift motion, Cas spun her around and pinned her against the wall, chest-first. The suddenness stole her breath, as two fingers slipped into her mouth.
"Arrrh.." she tried to speak, but he leaned closer. Janet felt the gentle press of his body against her back, his presence unmistakable—calm, deliberate, and dangerous. One hand restrained her —firm, but not painful. His control over her body was total.
He brought his mouth close to her ear, his voice low, "It would take a while for anyone to rescue you, even if you screamed."
Tears welled up in Janet's eyes. Despite the fear coursing through her, she could feel the solid weight of his presence—the cold reminder that she had trusted a man capable of violence.
"I'm going to take out my fingers," he said evenly, "and you'll be a good girl and not make a sound okay?"
Janet nodded quickly, breath trembling. Cas pulled out his fingers and shifted his grip—one hand catching her wrists above her head, the other still around her neck.
Then in that same measured voice, he said, "Janet…" The way he mentioned her name made her senses ring.
"Why didn't you tell me you were binding me to the court? That's not how allies work. You breached our agreement."
"I-I wasn't sure you would agree." Janet stammered, "I had to make sure you stayed in this case."
A quiet, dark chuckle rumbled from him, his breath sent goosebumps down her neck.
"You underestimate me…Janet. Have you forgotten so soon who I am?" His tone wasn't loud but the threat beneath it made her shiver.
"N..No."
"If you needed my help so badly, you should have let me do it on my terms, not trapping me with the law. You're not as smart as you think. There are plenty of things I can do to you right here, with just the two of us in your house." He leaned in close enough, that she felt the heat of his words against her ear. "Isn't that right, Janet?"
"P…please" she whispered, "I'll make it up to you."
He turned her around to face him. In the dim lights, his eyes searched hers—steady, unreadable.
"What could you possibly offer me that makes this worth my time?"
Janet's mind raced. The closeness to such a man was doing things to her. The air between them was tight with tension.
"If we find HENNEDY, the drugs he launders can be all yours. I won't involve the police." Janet said
Cas tilted his head slightly, studying her expression.
Then with a faint humorless smile, he said, "You've got a lot of secrets, counselor. What happens if I don't get it?"
His gaze dropped to her lips. His breath on her face; her chest pressed against his. If it weren't for the blazer of her suit…a humiliating reminder of how her body betrayed her fear.
"I'm listening," he said, low and demanding.
Janet was at a loss for words right now. She had nothing left to bargain with.
He continued, his voice calm and deliberate. "You think you can always talk your way out of any situation. Janet, you're only a lawyer. The only place you have power is in a courtroom—not on the streets, not even in your own house…"
He traced her lips. The touch made her breath catch, equal parts, warning and temptation.
"You're too much of a smart mouth to realize I was simply asking you politely to choose the consequences of double-crossing me."
Her throat tightened, "Anything you want." she whispered. "Anything you ask."
Cas held her gaze a moment longer, intimidating her with nothing but his eyes. She couldn't take it anymore— she squeezed her eyes shut and sobbed "Please."
Then slowly, he released her. Janet sagged slightly against the wall, exhaling in relief before fumbling for the light switch.
When the light came on. Cas was still watching her—steady, expression unreadable.
"I'll go prepare the guest room." She managed to say, turning away.
His voice stopped her. "My terms are simple. I'm staying here until this clown chase is over."
Janet turned to protest, but the look in his eyes silenced her. She nodded, then hurried down the hall, heart pounding.
**
As Janet fixed the bed in the guest bedroom, her hands trembled. The tension of the encounter still lingered. She couldn't shake the thought that her plan was slipping out of her control—that Cas wasn't a man she could manipulate.
She had crossed a line and he'd made sure she understood it. Her mind wandered to how close they were earlier, his fingers in her mouth. His face so close to hers…
**
Cas observed as she fixed the bed; she hadn't noticed him standing behind her yet. She was bent over straightening the sheets, her movements careful and precise, and he found himself watching her without meaning to. Turned on and mostly frustrated with how she had no self-defense skills despite her cleverness in other ways.
Janet jumped slightly when she noticed him, "Oh, I didn't see you there. I'm almost done setting it up."
"It's fine. I need to use the bathroom, is that ready at least," he asked.
"Yes, it is. I'll leave you to that. Dinner is in 30 minutes." she replied, trying to steady her nerves.
As Janet walked past him, the faint scent of her orange-flavored perfume lingered in the air.
**
Later that night, Cas didn't come out for dinner. Janet knocked gently, then opened the door to find him asleep on the bed, the blanket covering only the lower part of his body. From a distance, his bare chest caught the light, and his handsome face looked peaceful.
Janet turned off the lights and gently closed the door behind her, making sure not to wake him up with the noise.
For the first time that night, she realized how dangerous it was to be under the same roof with him—and how impossible it would be to turn back now.