Page 27 of Crushed Vow

I stilled my hands. “To the point that what?”

He didn’t answer right away. Just shook his head and muttered, “It’s not important.”

Then he stood abruptly. “I need to take this call. It’s personal.”

He walked out, and I didn’t chase the conversation. Some part of me knew—when Cassian said something wasn’t important, it usually meant it would hurt too much to explain.

I finished my food in silence, stood, and carried the plate to the sink. As I rinsed it, I heard him behind me again.

“Ethan says he has information about your brother.”

I froze. My fingers stopped under the stream of water.

I turned. “Where is he?”

Cassian’s expression was unreadable. “In the living room.”

My eyes widened. “You let Ethan into your house?”

It didn’t make sense. Cassian, who wouldn’t so much as let another man look at me for too long, had allowed Ethan through the gates?

“He waited at the estate entrance for eight hours,” Cassian said, leaning against the doorframe. “Refused to leave. Said it was about Vincent. Eventually, I told the guards to let him in.”

I swallowed hard, my voice quiet. “Thank you.”

I dried my hands with a towel, composed myself, and stepped out of the kitchen.

Ethan stood as soon as he saw me. His eyes warmed instantly, like I was someone he’d missed without even realizing how much.

“Charlotte,” he breathed.

I moved toward him without thinking—but I didn’t make it far.

“No hugs,” Cassian snapped from behind me.

I stopped mid-step. That tone. That possessiveness. I’d almost forgotten how fast it surfaced, how naturally it lived in him.

Ethan caught my hesitation and gave me a small, understanding smile. “It’s okay. You don’t have to.”

He gestured to the couch, and I sat, still catching my breath from the sudden tension in the air.

“Mr. Moretti,” Ethan said, glancing pointedly at Cassian, “Could we have a minute? Just to talk, privately?”

Cassian didn’t answer. He just stood nearby, pacing with slow, deliberate steps—like a lion circling prey.

“I wouldn’t give her privacy with her own blood,” he said flatly. “Let alone you. Say what you need to say before I decide you’ve overstayed your welcome.”

Ethan clenched his jaw but didn’t push it. We both knew Cassian wasn’t one to be reasoned with when it came to territory—and I was his territory.

Instead, Ethan reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek box, placing it carefully on the coffee table in front of me.

“I got you something,” he said. “It’s not much, but... I thought you might need it.”

I opened it slowly. A brand-new iPhone.

My lips parted in surprise. “You bought me a phone?”

“It’s already set up. Sim’s registered in your name. My number’s saved in there too.”