RUIN ME, SAINT DORIAN.

Chapter4: CLAIMED

I lay awake that night turning restlessly in bed not because I couldn't but because the moment I closed my eyes, I remembered the photograph. My face. Cassian's hand on my back… the timestamp radiating under it like a countdown to when I was going to die. It was evidence of something I never offered to give, evidence that someone might be planning to use to ruin my life.

Before the first light had even reached the skyline, I already gave up hope on ever getting any sleep. My heart was beating so loudly that it felt like a drum pounding against my chest. I hurried, dressed, and escaped the dorm before my room mate could start asking questions on where I was going so early.

My hands were shaking as I took the elevator up to Cassian's penthouse. The city below me outside was still shrouded in shadow and silence but this was too important to keep until the town was awake.

When the door opened, he stood there barefoot with a mug of coffee in one hand and his other hand resting against the doorframe. His eyes ran over me slowly, sharp and steady.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said.

“I need to talk to you.” My voice cracked a little.

He didn't say anything, just moved aside and allowed me in. The penthouse was too quiet and spotless and for a second, I felt like the mess I brought with me had no place here. Thankfully, my mail was synced to my mobile device so I took out my phone and showed him the email. "Someone sent this to me."

He picked up the phone and stared at the screen and immediately, his face hardened and his countenance changed . "When did you receive this?"

"Last night," I gasped. "Someone knows, Cassian. They're following me."

He didn't respond immediately. He simply looked at the phone, then slowly set it down on the counter.

"You don't have to worry about this," he said finally, his voice stern but earnest. "I'll deal with it."

"That's not enough to calm me down" I said, my heart constricting. "Who did it? What if they report it? My scholarship…"

He silenced me with a stern glance. "Relax… you're not listening. I said I'll deal with it."

The words struck me hard and something within me snapped. "Don’t tell me to relax, it's not your future that is at stake here. You can't just make that decision! It's my life. I have the right to know what's happening."

He moved closer and his voice dropped, low but sharp. "No, Julian. You just let me handle it. No one touches what belongs to me."

The word belongs struck hard, like a punch to the chest. My throat closed over in fury.

"I am not yours," I told him, my voice trembling.

“The contract says otherwise,” he retorted. “Allow me to fix it.”

"You're not rescuing me, Cassian. You're oppressing me."

His eyes grew a trifle softer, but he didn't retreat. "Or maybe it's both," he whispered.

I wanted to yell at him and push him away, I wanted to ask him what he was doing but I could do nothing but stand there as his attraction drew me to him like a magnet. His eyes fell to my lips and his tone lowered, almost sneering.

"Relax, Julian. It's not as if we did have s*x. Not yet, that is."

My cheeks grew hot and I tried to put it in check, my heart racing.

He grinned, noticing me winching to talk. "Unless you want me to turn the gossip to become the truth this moment.” Taking a step forward, he leaned in and whispered in my ears, “We can provide them with something to gossip about."

I didn't know if he was serious, or if he was testing me or perhaps both but if this was a test, I was failing woefully. The words seared, but beneath the fear was something else, something I couldn't believe I was feeling. Want.

He moved another step forward until I could smell the cologne on his body and my mind fragmented. His hand rose and caressed my jaw, lifting my head so I was compelled to meet his eyes.

"You'll remain here for now," he said, his voice low. "It is safer."

"But I don't need a babysitter," I grumbled.

"Good," he replied, in a low voice. "Because I am not your babysitter. I am the one stopping your world from exploding."

I didn't have time to speak before he wheeled around and disappeared into the kitchen. I stood there, panting, trying to stabilize my mind. He reappeared a minute later with another cup of coffee, steam rising into the air.

"Drink," he commanded.

I accepted it and sat. The warmth was somewhat relief, even if my head was still spinning. He studied me once more before turning to head to his office. "Rest. I will see to this."

I didn't trust him. I knew he could handle it but it was his method of handling it I didn't trust. But I didn't trust myself either. So I sat there, staring at the cup until my hands finally stopped shaking.

Later, when I finally laid down on the couch, I caught him sneaking around the penthouse quietly. He left a glass of water next to me before returning to his study. The little act shouldn't have meant a thing, but it did and it lingered on. He was tough and sweet and the same time, call it tough lough? Cassian was both a storm and an asylum, and I had no idea which one would kill me first.

………..

When I woke up, the sun was shining brightly in the city. Cassian was at his desk, sleeves rolled back , his voice piercing through the phone. I pitied whoever was receiving his barks at the receiving end.

"Track the IP. I don't care how long it takes. Get to the source. And if anyone talks, they'll be sorry."

He hung up and glanced at me. "You're awake."

"Who was that?" I sat up.

"Someone who owes me a favor."

"This is not right, Cassian. You can't just…"

"I can," he replied slowly as he rose to his feet, "and I will."

Indignation churned in me. "You can't control everything."

He stopped, his face dark. "I can when everything I want is in front of me."

The words cut deep. "You don't want me," I breathed. "You just want control and I'm not a property."

Something flashed in his eyes before he stepped. One moment he was on the other side of the room, the next I was pinned to the wall, his body inches away from mine, his breath burning my skin.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he growled. "if you think I'm going to remain calm about this then you don't know who I am. And don't you ever question my decision unless you've forgotten how I met you. With one snap of my fingers, you'll lose this same thing i am trying to help you protect."

My heart was pounding so hard I couldn't catch my breath. His hand brushed mine, thumb over my lip. This was supposed to be scary but I found it sexy. f**k, it turned me on.

I should have shoved him away, but I didn't. Couldn't.

He pressed his forehead against mine, his breathing unsteady, his control slipping. I could feel his heartbeat and the heat emanating from his body and the space between us slowly drawing tight.

But then he stopped. His hands fell and he took a step back.

"Not yet," he panted. "Not like this."

“There's some ice in the fridge.” He said over his shoulder as he slowly turned and disappeared, and I was left there burning, dazed, angry, and hungry for more than I should be.

……….

I stirred on the couch and for a moment, I was confused as to where I was. I sat up and took in the view and the memories of earlier suddenly came flooding back. The lights in the living room were low and Cassian was nowhere to be found.

"Cassian?" I called out loud, but no one replied.

I rose and went down the corridor. There was a dim light streaming from his office and the door was open. I stopped, took a deep breath and pushed it gently.

There were pieces of paper and folders scattered all over the table. His laptop was left on and I noticed an open folder.

My name was on it. My stomach fell. My school records, scholarship applications, bank statements, even photographs from a zillion years ago. Stacks of notes written in Cassian's hand.

Keep him near and watch him constantly.

I read the words, my hands trembling. He hadn't begun watching me after the email. He'd been watching me for a while now. Did Cassian know me before now or was he just doing a background check on me?

Whichever it was, one thing was sure. This man didn't just want to keep me safe, he wanted to control me and the last thing I would let him do is make me his puppet. At this point, I no longer knew if I was safer with him or caged.

I reached out for a file next to the system and a voice boomed from behind, making me stop in my tracks.

“Found anything interesting?”