Chapter Four
959 Words
Cassian
Cassian Moretti had built his empire on one simple rule.
Never get personally involved.
Emotions clouded judgment.
Attachment created weakness.
Weakness got people killed.
It was a lesson he'd learned at twelve years old, kneeling beside his parents' bodies while blood stained the marble floor beneath him.
He had never forgotten it.
And he never intended to.
Yet, as he stared at the surveillance photographs spread across his desk, one question lingered in his mind.
Who are you, Isabella Romano?
Every image told the same story.
She volunteered at St. Vincent Children's Hospital.
She attended classes at St. Catherine's University.
She studied late into the evenings.
She smiled too easily.
She trusted too freely.
It irritated him.
No one stayed that innocent for twenty-one years.
Not in New York.
A knock sounded at the office door.
"Come in."
Luca entered carrying another folder.
"Our team followed her again today."
"And?"
"The same as yesterday."
Cassian looked up.
"No contact with Vincent Romano."
"No."
"No unusual behavior."
"No."
"No criminal associations."
Luca placed the folder on the desk.
"She's exactly who she appears to be."
Cassian closed the file.
"I don't believe in exactly."
Luca leaned against the desk.
"So what now?"
Cassian buttoned his suit jacket.
"Now I stop relying on reports."
The café across from St. Catherine's University buzzed with students escaping the afternoon rain.
Cassian stepped inside.
Conversations paused for only a second before resuming.
He ignored the curious glances.
His attention found her immediately.
Isabella sat alone near the window with a laptop, several textbooks, and a slice of chocolate cheesecake she'd barely touched.
She was reading so intently that she didn't notice the waitress trying to get her attention.
"Miss?"
Nothing.
"Miss?"
Still nothing.
Finally, the waitress gently tapped the table.
Isabella looked up, startled.
"Oh!"
"I'm so sorry."
The waitress laughed.
"I was beginning to think you'd forgotten where you were."
"I probably did."
She smiled sheepishly.
"I have an exam next week."
Cassian watched the interaction.
She made people smile without trying.
Interesting.
He ordered an espresso and chose the table directly behind hers.
Not close enough to be obvious.
Close enough to observe.
For nearly ten minutes, she studied without looking up once.
Every few minutes she absentmindedly tucked a loose curl behind her ear.
She scribbled notes.
Crossed things out.
Muttered facts under her breath.
She was completely unaware of her surroundings.
Or so he thought.
Without warning, she froze.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
Her eyes swept across the café.
They passed over him...
Then returned.
Their gazes met.
Just for a second.
Something flickered across her expression.
Recognition?
No.
Curiosity.
She looked away first.
Cassian found himself disappointed.
A loud crash shattered the quiet.
A young employee carrying a tray stumbled after another customer bumped into him.
Plates hit the floor.
Coffee splashed across the aisle.
Without thinking, Isabella was already on her feet.
"Oh no!"
She knelt beside the embarrassed employee.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
"I swear I'm fine."
Ignoring the growing crowd, she helped gather the broken dishes while reassuring him that accidents happened.
The manager hurried over.
"It's okay, Daniel."
"I'll clean it up."
"No," Isabella said gently.
"We made the mess."
"We can help."
Cassian watched in silence.
She wasn't helping because people were watching.
No one was paying attention anymore.
She simply...
Helped.
When the last broken plate had been cleared away, Isabella stood.
Only then did she realize coffee had splashed across the front of her sweater.
She sighed dramatically.
"Well..."
"There goes my favorite sweater."
The employee looked horrified.
"I'm so sorry."
She laughed.
"If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, I'm having a pretty good day."
The young man smiled for the first time since dropping the tray.
Cassian couldn't remember the last time he'd seen someone calm another person's panic so effortlessly.
As Isabella returned to her table, one of her notebooks slipped from the stack in her arms.
It landed at someone's polished black shoes.
Before she could bend down, a hand reached for it.
He picked it up.
"Thank you," she said, accepting the notebook with a grateful smile.
Up close, he was even more striking than she'd realized.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair.
Gray eyes that seemed almost silver beneath the café lights.
He looked expensive.
Not arrogant.
Just... impossible to ignore.
"You're welcome."
His voice was calm and unexpectedly warm.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
The sounds of the café faded into the background.
She realized she was staring.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
"I didn't catch your name."
A dozen names crossed his mind.
His own wasn't one of them.
"Adrian."
"Nice to meet you, Adrian."
"And you."
He offered a polite nod before stepping aside.
She adjusted the strap of her backpack and smiled.
"Maybe I'll see you around."
"I'm sure you will."
For reasons she couldn't explain, the answer sent a small flutter through her chest.
She gave one last smile before disappearing into the rain.
Cassian watched through the café window until she vanished into the crowd.
Only then did he turn toward the exit.
Across the street, Marco lowered his camera.
His phone was already in his hand.
"Luca."
"What happened?"
"The boss approached her."
A pause.
"Was it planned?"
"No."
"Did she recognize him?"
"She'd never seen him before."
"And?"
Marco watched Cassian step beneath the café awning, his gaze lingering in the direction Isabella had disappeared.
"They talked."
"For how long?"
"Long enough."
Silence settled over the line.
Finally, Luca spoke.
"Tell him to come back."
Marco slipped the phone into his pocket.
Watching Cassian remain where he was, he shook his head.
"I don't think he's ready to leave."
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