Page 150 of Madness & Mercy

Cassian’s eyes glint in the rearview. “Oh, it gets better. You should ask him about the time he—”

“Cassian.”Julian’s tone sharpens.

“—tried to ‘hack’ into Mom’s email… and accidentally deleted all her contacts. For weeks, she thought everyone had ghosted her.”

I choke back a laugh. Julian shoots him a glare. “I will put you in the damn trunk with Romano.”

Cassian just shrugs. “At least then I’d get some peace and quiet.”

I clear my throat.

“Cassian, I’m heading back to the estate to have my driver take care of the body… Care to join us for dinner?”

Julian shoots me a panicked, wide-eyed look that screams,No. Please, God, no.

Cassian just smirks. “I’d love to.”

CHAPTER 23 – THE DINNER

JULIAN

When we roll up to the Estate, Enzo’s already waiting out front like he’s been guarding the place.

“How’s he doing?” Nico asks before the car’s even fully stopped.

“He’ll live,” Enzo says. “Not the first time Luca’s been shot. Bullet went clean through the shoulder. You find Romano?”

“In the trunk,” Nico answers, tossing him the keys. “You know what to do.”

Enzo unlocks the car, his eyes cutting between me and Cassian. One brow arches, the corner of his mouth twitching like he’s not sure if he wants to laugh or ask questions.

“Damn. If it weren’t for the clothes, I wouldn’t be able to tell you two apart.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t worry. He’s not staying long.”

Cassian smirks like I just dared him instead of making a statement.

“Enzo, is it?”

He sticks out a hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

Enzo mirrors the smirk. “Likewise. You’re a lot more polite than your twin.”

Nico laughs. I scoff. “Whatever. Let’s get this over with.”

We head inside as Enzo drives off. The moment we step through the door, I freeze. Nico’s mother is waiting at the foot of the staircase. She lives in the guest house, but I’ve barely seen her since the day I got here. Nico says she travels a lot, but she’s more like a ghost, appearing only when she wants to haunt you.

Her gaze flicks over me and lands on Cassian. Her eyes narrow.

“Another one?”

Nico smirks. “This is Cassian, Julian’s twin brother.”

“Good evening, ma’am. Lovely home you have here,” Cassian says smoothly. My skin prickles. That smug bastard could charm a snake.

She nods but doesn’t answer him.