Chapter 8 Into the darkness

For a split second, there was nothing. Just pure, suffocating darkness.

The elegant chatter of the gala guests turned into a chorus of startled gasps, a few hushed curses, the clinking of glasses being hastily set down. Cassidy's pulse pounded in her ears as she froze, her senses on high alert.

The blackout wasn't an accident.

She knew Vaughn had orchestrated this.

A hand brushed her wrist, swift and intentional. She twisted sharply, but before she could react, a strong grip closed around her arm.

"Move," a deep voice murmured.

She recognized it immediately.

Alexander.

Cassidy didn't waste time questioning how he got here. He pulled her forward, navigating through the panicked murmurs and shifting bodies in the dark.

"Let go of me," she hissed under her breath.

"Not a chance," he countered, his grip firm but not bruising. "You're about to find out what happens when you walk into Vaughn's world unprepared."

Cassidy wanted to argue, wanted to demand answers, but then she heard it-a click in the distance, the unmistakable sound of a weapon being readied.

Panic spiked in her chest.

She let him pull her.

They moved quickly through the ballroom, weaving through the chaos as security guards rushed to control the situation. Someone was barking orders, but Cassidy was too focused on staying in motion.

The emergency lights flickered on, dim but enough to illuminate the room in an eerie glow. Vaughn was nowhere to be seen.

Alexander didn't stop until they reached a side exit. He shoved the door open, pulling her into the cool night air. The moment they stepped into the alley, he let go of her wrist, spinning to face her.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

Cassidy yanked her arm away, fury burning through her veins. "Excuse me?"

"You walked right into Vaughn's hands," he snapped. "Do you have any idea what would have happened if I hadn't been here?"

Cassidy took a step closer, defiant. "You don't get to lecture me, Cross. I had it handled."

His jaw clenched. "You thought you had it handled. Vaughn knew who you were the second you walked in."

Cassidy didn't want to admit he was right. But the truth was gnawing at her. Vaughn had recognized her almost immediately. And then the blackout had happened.

A distraction.

He had wanted her vulnerable.

Her stomach twisted.

"You were spying on me," she accused.

Alexander crossed his arms. "I was watching you. There's a difference."

"Is there?" She glared at him. "Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you don't trust me to do this job."

His expression darkened. "I don't trust Vaughn not to kill you the moment you become a problem."

Cassidy exhaled sharply. "I had to get close to him. He's careful, but I could tell-he's hiding something big. If I can get him to slip-"

"You don't have time for that," Alexander cut in. "Vaughn isn't playing games anymore. He just put a target on your back."

Cassidy swallowed hard. "Then I guess I better move fast."

Alexander cursed under his breath. "You're not hearing me."

She took another step toward him, her eyes burning with determination. "Oh, I hear you just fine, Cross. You think I'm some reckless journalist getting in over my head. But you don't get to make my choices for me."

His gaze locked onto hers, a storm brewing behind those icy blue eyes. "And what happens when Vaughn decides he doesn't want you snooping around anymore? When he decides to eliminate the problem?"

Cassidy smirked. "Then I'll make sure I get to him first."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The city hummed around them, distant car horns blaring, sirens wailing somewhere in the background. The tension between them was thick, electric, charged with something Cassidy didn't want to name.

Alexander exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "You're impossible."

"That's why I'm good at what I do," she shot back.

Something flickered in his expression-something unreadable. "Come with me."

Cassidy hesitated. "Why?"

"Because if you keep playing this game without knowing all the rules, you're going to get yourself killed."

She crossed her arms. "And you're suddenly my knight in shining armor?"

His lips curved into something almost dangerous. "Hardly. But I do know where Vaughn's next move is coming from."

Cassidy studied him, trying to decide if she trusted him. The problem was, she didn't trust anyone.

But Alexander had never lied to her. Not once.

She clenched her jaw. "Fine. But I swear to God, if this is a setup-"

"It's not," he said smoothly. "Though I'm starting to think you might be more dangerous than Vaughn himself."

Cassidy smirked. "You have no idea."

The Safe House

The car ride was silent, but not empty. The tension between them lingered, unspoken words filling the space as Alexander drove through the city, taking unfamiliar turns that led them deeper into a quiet district.

Cassidy finally spoke. "Where are we going?"

"A safe house," he said simply.

Her brows furrowed. "For who?"

"For you."

Cassidy scoffed. "I don't need a damn safe house, Cross. I need-"

"You need time to figure out your next move before Vaughn makes one for you," he interrupted. "I told you, you're in this now. And you're not walking away without a fight."

Cassidy clenched her fists. She hated that he was right.

The car pulled up to an unmarked building, discreet, blending into the row of warehouses along the waterfront. Alexander killed the engine and turned to her.

"Come on," he said, already stepping out.

Cassidy hesitated before following.

Inside, the space was sleek and modern-minimalist furniture, high-tech security screens mounted on the walls. It wasn't a warehouse at all. It was a fortress.

She turned to face him. "This isn't just a safe house, is it?"

His lips quirked. "No."

Realization settled in. "It's yours."

His silence was confirmation.

Cassidy let out a slow breath. "I should have known you'd have a place like this."

"Preparedness is key," he said smoothly.

She folded her arms. "So what now? You lock me in here until Vaughn is taken care of?"

Alexander's gaze darkened. "No. But you're not running into another trap either."

Cassidy exhaled sharply, walking over to one of the security monitors. Vaughn was out there, plotting. He wouldn't disappear.

She turned back to Alexander. "Then let's get to work."

His lips curled at the edges. "I thought you'd never say that."

Cassidy wasn't sure what scared her more-that she was now working alongside the man she had set out to destroy...

Or that she was starting to trust him.

One thing was certain-this was far from over.