Page 30 of Crushed Vow

“He wasn’t.” My voice cracked slightly. “You’re reading too much into this.”

Cassian looked away for a moment, as if steadying himself. “I’ve already lost you once. I won’t risk it again—not to a man who thinks kindness gives him a place in your head.”

Cassian turned slightly, speaking low but clear. “She needs to understand that protecting her isn’t clean or gentle. It’s war.”

Brooks didn’t move, his grip still firm on Ethan’s shoulders—one hand near the base of his skull, the other under his chin, positioned with lethal precision.

I moved slowly, picking up the iPhone Ethan had given me earlier, the one that had felt like a lifeline—like a symbol of freedom. Now it felt like a liability.

I walked over and crouched in front of him, my voice soft. “Thank you, Ethan. Truly. But this world—it’s not ours. We don’t survive here by being decent.”

I placed the phone in his lap gently. “I’ll... use one of the twenty-two.”

Cassian watched in silence, his jaw locked, his approval cool and dangerous. “Tell him,” he said. “Say it.”

I hesitated, meeting Ethan’s eyes. They were tired, hurt—but steady. He understood before I even spoke.

“You can’t visit again,” I said quietly. “Please. Just... don’t come back.”

Ethan gave a faint nod, swallowing hard. “Got it.”

“Now let him go,” I said firmly, rising to my feet.

Cassian gave a subtle nod, and Brooks released him, stepping back like a shadow vanishing into silence.

The air shifted. Lighter. But not by much.

“Didn’t you say you had something to tell us about Vincent?” Cassian asked, his voice smooth now—controlled and cold. Like nothing had happened at all.

Ethan stood, brushing his hands down his jacket, composing himself. “I did,” he said. “But let’s get one thing clear—I didn’t come here as a threat. I came because I care. About Charlotte. About her healing. And despite what you may think, I’m not trying to turn her against you.”

Cassian didn’t answer. His eyes narrowed but his lips stayed pressed shut.

I stepped in between them, placing a hand on Cassian’s arm—not to stop him, but to steady him. To remind him I was still here, choosing to stand in the middle of this storm.

“Please,” I said, “let him speak.”

A beat passed. Brooks was gone now, and some of the tension drained from the room.

Ethan exhaled. “Vincent’s being held by the Volkov Bratva.”

Cassian’s gaze stayed cold, like he’d known all along. Of course he had.

“They took him to settle a debt your father owed,” Ethan went on. “I only found out recently. I’ve been working my way through their networks quietly—watching, listening, waiting for a chance to help.”

“And why are you telling us?” Cassian asked, his tone razor-sharp.

“Because I needed proof.” Ethan said. “You’re not exactly known for mercy.”

Cassian smiled—but it didn’t reach his eyes. “No. I’m not.”

“I used to date the Volkov Bratva’s second daughter,” Ethan went on. “I still have access to the estate. I can plant cameras.Track movements. Help you get Vincent out—if you’ll stop trying to kill me long enough for me to help.”

I turned to Cassian, watching his profile. The shift in his jaw. The way his fingers twitched like he was still weighing whether Ethan was a threat worth eliminating—or an ally he didn’t trust.

“Let him try,” I whispered. “For Vincent.”

Cassian didn’t look at me, but his voice came low. “You have one shot. You lie, you die.”