Page 28 of Cage

It’s the job. That’s why. I’m always obsessed with my missions, and keeping her safe is one of them.

“Night,” she says softly.

“Night.”

I need a drink. And some information.

Within two minutes of texting him, Cassian shows up with his laptop.

We head directly into my office. I don’t bother to offer him a drink. He wouldn’t take it.

“I’ve been looking into her father, and so far, other than some scammy business dealings, I haven’t come up with anything for him. He’s a politician. Slimy as fuck, but his dirt is much cleaner than a lot of guys in power.”

That’s not what I wanted to hear. I’m glad for Ember’s sake that he’s not a total piece of shit, but I wish there was something on him to help us figure out who is threatening Ember.

“She said her mom died in a helicopter crash.”

Cassian nods. “I reviewed all the reports. Doesn’t appear there was any foul play. The weather turned bad quickly and before they could land, the helicopter lost control and crashed into a mountainside.”

Jesus. That sounds horrific. No wonder she doesn’t want to fly. I can’t really blame her for that.

“So, her father has been raising her since?”

My brother shrugs. “I guess; if you can call it that. Ember has been in boarding school from the time her mom died until she graduated from high school. Even during summer breaks, hehad her enrolled in camps. She did stay at his house while she attended college locally. Not sure why he allowed that or what changed?”

“Fucking asshole.” I didn’t like the guy the second I met him, and now, knowing he pawned Ember off during her childhood makes me hate him. No wonder she has anxiety.

“There’s been threats on Griffin’s life over the years, but nothing uncommon from any other politician. It kind of comes with the territory of being someone who votes on laws,” Cassian says. “Ember has no clue what the threats are or what they’re asking for?”

I rub at my temples. “No. Yesterday, she said she woke up with plans to go pick up her final transcripts and celebrate with a piece of cake. Before she could leave the house, her father laid the news on her. She knew nothing of it prior to that.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“By the way, I need to get her a cake. She may have not gotten her transcripts yet, but she still deserves a reward for all her hard work.”

Cassian stares at me, his gaze penetrating. I don’t care for it or the way he seems to read people so fucking easily, unlike me.

“You like her,” he mutters.

Holding my glass to my lips, I pause for a second to soak in those words before I tip my head back and down the entire thing. “It doesn’t matter. This is a job. We don’t have time for complications.”

I haven’t told anyone that she’s admitted to being Little. I’m not sure she would appreciate it if I did, and also, I kind of like having that secret between us.

“We’ve dedicated our lives to The Agency. We’re allowed to have women and families. We’re also allowed to start slowing down. We’re at the age where you’ll be recruiting a new teamsoon, and we’ll be running it from behind the scenes,” Cassian says.

My only response is a grunt. For the past two decades, I’ve dedicated my life to our team. To our missions. Our family. And as someone who came from a shit background, I’ve felt on top of the world ever since I was recruited. I get to be part of something. Make the world a better place. And I have people who love me. I have Rowie.

It wasn’t until recently that I started feeling like I’ve been missing out on something. My friends in the lifestyle have all been finding their Little girls despite having dangerous lives as mafia leaders. I’m envious of them. Seeing the way those women look at their Daddies and how they trust them completely, makes me want something more. Makes me want to capture a beautiful firefly and keep her forever.

“It’s not an option. Right now, I need to focus on finding whatever the threat is so I can eliminate it. Then Ember can go back to her regular life.”

Cassian runs a hand over his jaw, and I know my brother well enough to know that I’m not going to like what he’s about to say.

“Her regular life where she has no family other than her neglectful father who always seems to send her away? That life? Because I think that scared yet fierce Little girl deserves more than that. She deserves a Daddy. There’s no fucking doubt that she’s Little, and with the way you look at her, it’s pretty damn obvious you like her.”

Yeah. I knew it. He was going to say something logical, and he didn’t disappoint. Instead, he irritated me.

“Can you mind your fucking business and keep digging for information?”

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