“Only something to help you sleep.”

The heavy mahogany double doors of the dining room swung open violently. Marcus, a towering man with a heavily scarred face and a dark trench coat, stepped into the room, flanked by two equally intimidating enforcers. They moved with absolute, silent precision, ignoring the lavish surroundings and focusing entirely on their boss.

"Will you escort my former fiancée to the holding cells in the sub-basement?" Cassian asked, not taking his eyes off the weeping woman backed against the marble fireplace.

"No! No, please!" Odette shrieked, kicking and thrashing wildly as the two enforcers reached out and grabbed her by the arms. They hauled her to her feet with effortless strength, the delicate fabric of her sculpted satin gown tearing audibly at the seams. "My father will kill you, Cassian! He will slaughter your entire family for this!"

"Will you ensure she is gagged if she continues to scream, Marcus?" Cassian inquired, his voice completely devoid of emotion.

Marcus nodded grimly. "Yes, boss. Let's go, princess."

The enforcers dragged Odette backward toward the doors. Her threats devolved into hysterical, panicked sobs that echoed down the grand hallway until the heavy doors clicked shut behind them, sealing the dining room in a profound, suffocating silence.

Cassian stood perfectly still for a long moment. The tension slowly bled out of his powerful shoulders. He turned his head, his thick, slightly wavy hair catching the light of the crystal chandeliers, and looked across the room to where Willa was still standing near Finn.

Willa was shaking. Her sophisticated black maid dress felt incredibly thin in the aftermath of the violence. She had just witnessed the destruction of a massive mafia alliance, all because she had stopped a man from drinking a cup of tea. She looked at the mafia boss, terrified that his wrath would inevitably turn on her for exposing the rot in his foundation.

Cassian walked slowly back to the head of the table. He did not sit. He stopped beside the velvet chair where Finn was sitting, looking down at the boy, and then up at the housemaid.

"Are you unharmed, Willa?" Cassian asked, his deep voice softening just a fraction, losing the lethal edge it had carried moments before.

Willa swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his cold, perceptive eyes. "I am unharmed, sir. But... I know what I just did. I know the Sloane family will come for you because I spoke."

"Do you believe I would allow a woman who plots my murder to remain in my home out of fear of her father?" Cassian asked, a flicker of profound, protective warmth entering his cold eyes as he looked at her.

"I didn't know what to expect, Mr. Grey," Willa whispered, her voice cracking. "I just knew she poured something in, and Finn confirmed it. I couldn't let you drink it."

"Did you think a monster would punish the only person with the courage to save his life?" Cassian asked gently.

He reached out, his refined, tattooed hand moving with slow, deliberate gentleness. He didn't touch her, but he pulled a pristine linen napkin from the table and offered it to her.

"Will you dry your tears, Willa?" Cassian asked quietly.

Willa took the napkin, her fingers brushing lightly against his. The warmth of his skin was a stark contrast to the coldness of his reputation. She wiped her cheeks, nodding slowly.

"What happens now?" Willa asked softly, the reality of her precarious position settling heavily upon her.

"Are you prepared to leave this uniform behind?" Cassian inquired, his gaze dropping briefly to the black and white maid dress. "Do you think the woman who saved the head of this syndicate belongs in the servant's quarters?"