"You're my brother. I would never betray you."
"I need your help to leave the city. I messed up real bad."
"Let's talk face to face when you get here."
Cas opened his eyes. Jack's words echoed in his head, haunting him even in sleep. He sat up and glanced out the window—still dark, long before daybreak.
He crossed to the table where his phone was charging and switched it on. 4:30 a.m. His stomach growled; he'd been too tired to honor Janet's dinner invitation the night before.
Cas sat on the edge of his bed and scrolled through his contacts, dialing Jack's number. No answer. Dead signal. He clenched his jaw and called one of his men instead. The line connected almost immediately
"Boss! We've been worried. You were in the news."
"I'm okay, Max," Cas muttered, rubbing his forehead as a dull headache pulsed behind his eyes. "Jack's a traitor. He lured me down here. Put a bounty on him in town. I want him alive."
"Yes, boss. Boss! What about you?" Max asked with concern.
"I'll be here a while. Don't know how long." His stomach grumbled again, he knew he couldn't ignore the pangs of hunger for much longer. "Listen,"
"Yes boss"
"Bring my best men down to Rose town. Be here first thing tomorrow morning. You'll all stay at my hotel on Cupid Street, uptown. It's closest to my location. Clear?"
"Got it, boss."
Cas hung up the phone. His hand brushed against a fabric he had not noticed earlier—a beige furry robe, folded neatly beside where he slept. A thoughtful gesture. His clothes were probably still drying. With a sigh, he slipped the robe on, and stepped quietly into the hall, heading toward what he hoped was the kitchen.
He moved slowly, scanning the dim light, still keeping in mind the early details of her house he had caught with his side eye—a door slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of a fridge in the corner of her living room. A faint noise came from the living room. His senses sharpened. Was she already up? He approached lightly, every step measured.
Then he saw her.
Janet was bent over the back of the sofa, sipping coffee, eyes on the low-volume television.
She wore an oversized baggy polo shirt and nothing else—orange underwear peeking between her thighs just visible as she shifted. Cas froze, his breath catching as he watched her, his breath catching as he watched her move. He swallowed hard, wanting not to interrupt the show she was putting up on unconsciously, before clearing his throat.
Janet shot to her feet, nearly spilling her tea as she tugged on the hem of her polo down to hide her underwear, face flushed.
"Didn't expect you to be up this early." She said quickly.
Cas' gaze lingered on her. "I'm hungry," he murmured, eyes flickering briefly to where her nipples pressed against the thin cotton. "So hungry I could eat a horse."
She hesitated—should she pull her polo lower or shield her chest? "The kitchen's right over there," she pointed with her chin to the door he had guessed to be the kitchen earlier. "Blue cover plastic plate, first thing you'll spot when you open the fridge. You won't miss it."
"Mmh" he murmured, eyes sliding off her as he headed for the kitchen.
Janet hurried to her room to slip into more modest bottoms.
**
Janet couldn't believe he'd seen her like that —bent awkwardly over the sofa. She covered her face, groaning softly. He must have gotten a good view before she noticed he was standing there. Oh right—He had cleared his throat to alert her of his presence.
She placed a hand on her forehead, she was a little old to be acting this way around a man. He looked majestic in the robe she gave him, appealing even with the way he wore it loose. It was a good thing she had an L-sized robe.
She changed into proper bottoms and a loose tank top, then returned to the dining area.
Cas was seated at the small table, eating and scrolling through his phone. It was a small dining area—four chairs around a square table. Cas seemed to dwarf the furniture as he ate. His plate was nearly empty.
"This is good," he said between bites.
Janet smiled, a little shy. "Thank you. I try my best."
She watched him, struck by how he could be two men at once. Right now he was the calmer one. He leaned back in his chair sliding his phone aside to focus on her. "So…care to enlighten me on what leads you've got on HENNEDY?"
Janet straightened, her tone sharpening bracing herself as if the question was meant to intimidate her efforts. "I know he frequents the Diamond Casino. My sources were able to confirm that." Her voice tightened with confidence. "I'm sure you know a lot about Diamond Casino."
Cas chuckled "Why were your sources limited? Couldn't they take pictures of him? Going into the Diamond Casino is enough to implicate your suspect."
"Going into Diamond Casino is not enough evidence," she replied, "We need to get inside."
"And do what…interview him over poker?" he cut in.
"Cut it out." She snapped at him, her patience thinning. "I know more about this case than anyone. There's a scheduled time HENNEDY enters the casino. All we need is someone who can gain access and follow him."
Cas leaned across the table, very interested. Janet felt motivated "I think he might have a hideout where he keeps the kids—somewhere in Diamond Casino. Then we move in on him and apprehend him before the cops get there."
Silence followed. Janet eyed him "So, what do you think?"
Cas relaxed back into his seat and gave her a neutral stare "You plan to stroll into HENNEDY'S lair and play supergirl?"
"Well not technically—" she scrunched her face "We'd have backups."
"And people will die." Cas said "Do you even know the extent of how dangerous this man is? He moves like he's got nothing to lose. If that is indeed his lair, the kids become hostages. By the time the police arrive, HENNEDY will be gone." His eyes narrowed, studying her. She was beginning to understand why he had such a reputation in the underworld.
She began to reply "My sister will have the place surrounded—"
"You really think HENNEDY has no combat skills or do you only think that because he used to be your neighbor?" he interrupted, jeering.
Janet felt speechless. That hurt her, but he'd never understand why—he didn't deserve to. It was clear he hated her guts.
Cas gave her a break; his voice softened, perhaps he realized he had been too harsh.
"I don't want to intrude on your secrets, Janet. But you need to face reality—HENNEDY isn't some street thug. He's a mafia boss. If he's selling body parts, he's got money and money buys the best weapons. Trust me this plan of yours won't cut it."
Janet stared at him. He smiled keeping that knowing look, then his voice dipped "I see the way you're fighting to control this case. What I don't see is why."
Janet frowned and started to stand. Cas ordered "Sit."
She shot him a defiant look but obeyed, fully aware of the consequences.
Cas smirked, "You're fragile, light…with the survival instincts of a kitten. You couldn't even resist me earlier when I had you against the wall. It's a good thing none of your little team of heroes made it inside the Diamond Casino. You'd already be dead. And wouldn't that be a waste—letting a beauty like you die?"
Janet felt offended, at this point, she really hated the way she found him so unpredictable, though he was right. She'd never really bothered to learn to defend herself. Until now.
She met his burning stare "What are you proposing?"
Cas smiled and Janet wondered how triumphant he felt seeing her bend to his will.
"A couple of my men are coming into the state tomorrow. They'll meet me here for a briefing, but they'll stay in a hotel while they're in town."
Janet gave him a stinging look "What? You're not going to discuss your plan with me until they get here?"
Cas arched a brow "The only things I have to discuss with you are how to shoot a gun and properly hitting a man in the guts."
Janet flushed with embarrassment at the jab at her weakness. Angrily she said, "How dare you? I am still the lawyer who got you out of court. You could at least show some respect."
He didn't flinch. "Respect is earned, Janet. I don't just hand it out."
Janet boiled; her knuckles clenched and teeth ground. Who exactly did this man think he was? It was infuriating how he shredded her plan with cold logic. She needed air, away from him. "I need to go to my room," She said, avoiding his eyes.
Cas glanced out the window, "It's daybreak already." Then he turned to her, "Are you joining the raid on HENNEDY?"
Janet nodded, still looking away.
"A lawyer isn't supposed to be involved in this sort of thing. Am I correct?"
He leaned on the table, making sure she felt the weight of his stare. "Does the police know you'll be there? Or…" he clicked his tongue "Your sister's giving you a pass to go without her colleagues' consent?"
Janet's face shifted from anger to confusion. Her eyes had a mix of frustration and doubt.
"It's classified." She said, her voice soft but defiant. " I have to go inside."
Cas's tone dropped to a growl. "If we're raiding HENNEDY together. You will learn to defend yourself beyond wriggling and pleading."
She froze, torn between fear and fury. She was scared to stand, unsure what he might do to her if she defied him.
"Run along Janet— your room's waiting. Go on, cry it out," he said, amusement in his voice.
"You're a bully." she spat, "I wondered why I thought I could work with you."
"Yes, Janet. I'm a mafia lord. Your lord, the moment you brought me on this case. Pity you thought I was a pushover." He rose from his chair, closing the distance between them. The robe hung loose over his shoulders, his presence overwhelming.
He stopped just inches away from her face. "Cross me again and I'll teach you what consequences look like."
Janet's eyes widened "How dare y…"
"I dare—because I can." He fixed her with a harder stare, "Don't underestimate me, counselor."
Janet swallowed hard, but her eyes didn't leave his. "Then don't underestimate me either, Cas."
She turned and walked away, her steps steady despite the tremor in her hands.
Cas leaned back, watching her movements as she disappeared down the passage. A slow smirk tugged at his lips.
He loved a challenge.