Aria
I stood frozen, the duffel bag suddenly heavy on my shoulder, as Cassian stepped through the wreckage of the doorway, flanked by his men.
His eyes found mine immediately. The slight upturn of his lips wasn't a smile—it was the satisfied look of a predator who'd cornered its prey.
"Well," he said, his cultured voice at odds with the violence of their entry, "isn't this cozy?"
Nobody moved. The team had their weapons trained on all of us. I gripped my gun tighter, though I knew it was useless against so many.
"Aria," Cassian said, his gaze never leaving mine. "Put the gun down before someone gets hurt."
My hand trembled, but I kept the weapon pointed at him. "Stay back."
His expression didn't change, but something dangerous flickered in his eyes. "I won't ask again."
I glanced q
