Page 70 of Fired at the Heart

In unison, Raphael and I move to either side of the open bedroom door, a synchronicity that is surprisingly natural after all the years we’ve spent apart.

With my back against the wall, I hold my gun at chest height, finger gently placed beside the trigger guard.

Raphael matches my position on the other side, his breath steady and quiet. For a brief moment, the only sound is the thud of heavy footsteps in the front room as the intruder searches the house.

“Avery!”

The call chills me to the core.

Not because it’s threatening, but because it’s familiar.

Cassian.

My stomach drops as confusion ripples through me.

I exchange a quick look with Raphael, whose face hardens into a dangerous expression.

“Cassian?” My heart races. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Me?” His anger snaps through the air. “What amIdoing here? What areyoudoing here withhim?”

At the venom in his words, I tighten my grip on my weapon. Cassian’s footsteps echo louder, drawing closer to the bedroom.

“Stop right there,” I command, using the tone that even my most hardened crew members know better than to challenge. “I’m armed, and I’m not in the mood for surprises.”

The footsteps pause, followed by the sound of a heavy exhale. “I bought Lena’s story about you being holed up in some clinic, dealing with the bond breaking, but then you didn’t come home when you should have.”

I shudder at the revelation that Cassian had staked out my home to catch me while I was still vulnerable.

“When I traced your cell phone, it led me to Lena’s location.” A pause sounds, and I strain my ears to hear what he’s doing before he speaks again, this time closer to my hiding spot. “So then I traced Rockford’s phone. I didn’t even have to search for which house you were in. The fucker parked his car right out front like he didn’t care who knew you were here.”

I flash Raphael a glare, who shrugs and mouths,One-car garage.

“I can smell it, Avery,” Cassian snarls. “Your Heat pheromones are all over this fucking place.”

My face burns despite myself. Of course, he can smell it. The entire safe house reeks of sex and Heat. Any Alpha within a hundred feet would be able to tell what’s been happening here for the past three days.

“That’s none of your business,” I snap, the words cutting through the air.

A bitter laugh echoes from the front room. “None of my business? None of my business when this piece of shit abandoned you? I’ve been the one standing by your side all these years! Waiting for you to realize I’m more worthy than him!”

“We already had this conversation, Cassian. We were never going to be a thing.” I pause, listening for his location, but there’s only silence from the other room. “You need to leave and cool your head.”

“Let me see you,” he insists, closer now. “Let me make sure you’re okay.”

Raphael shakes his head at me in a clear warning not to expose myself. But beneath the rage is genuine concern, and it tugs at my conscience. He’s been my right hand for years, loyal when others have betrayed me, steadfast when I pushed everyone else away.

Yes, he’s been pushing for more lately, but doesn’t his steadfastness deserve something?

“Stay where you are,” I tell Cassian. “We can talk, but you need to calm down first.”

“Did he Mark you again?” Cassian’s voice breaks on the question. “Tell me he didn’t Mark you, Avery.”

Raphael’s jaw tightens, and he motions for me to stay put, mouthing,Don’t go.

But I know Cassian. If I don’t face him, this will only escalate.

“I’m coming out.” I ignore Raphael’s furious glare. “But I’m still armed, Cass.”

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