Page 187 of I See You

Carlos cared about family more than money. That was Braxton’s in. But his obsession, his tunnel vision on destroying Hassan and reclaiming Sevyn, got him thrown off the case, cost him his job, his credibility, and everything he’d built.

Now? He had nothing left but her. And he wasn’t losing her too.

He sat beside the bed and ran his fingers down her arm. “Don’t worry, baby,” he whispered. “I’m gonna fix this. You just need a little time away to remember who you were before him… and who you belong to.”

Hiseyesdarkenedasheleanedcloser,hisbreathbrushingher temple.

“I loved you first. And I’ll make sure I’m the one you love last.” “You’remywife,Sevyn.”Braxtonwhispered,histhumbgliding softly over her cheek. Her skin still held that warmth, that glow he used to dream about, and touching it calmed the rage that had lived insidehimsincethedayshewalkedaway.Heleanedcloser,his lips barely grazing her forehead. “You just forgot. But I’ll help you remember.”

He looked around the bare room—temporary, for now. Just a stop before he took her far away. Far from Memphis. Far from her cousin. Far from that monster she called a man. He was just waiting on one more loose end to be tied, and then they’d be gone. On the next flight out, starting the life she should’ve had all along—with him.

But what Braxton didn’t know was that in taking Sevyn, he hadn’t just crossed a line—he’d woken something even he wasn’t ready for.

He’d pulled the trigger on war.

Because Hassan wasn’t just any man. He was cold-blooded. Ruthless. Feared. The kind of monster you prayed never learned your name. And Braxton just carved Sevyn’s name into the devil’s heart.

Hassan was coming.

And the whole city would pay for it until she was back in his arms.

Chapter 23

(One week later)

The minute Dorian found out Sevyn had been kidnapped—and that a powerful family was holding her hostage because of Hassan’s past—she made up her mind: she would do anything to bring her cousin back. No sleep, no peace, no hesitation. Sevyn wasn’t just her cousin—she was her sister, her lifeline. And Dorian hadn’t slept a full night since she went missing.

She’d been lying to everyone, especially their family. Just yesterday, Aunt Trina called, her voice lined with worry. “I haven’t heard from Sevyn. She’s not answering my calls.”

Dorian had to lie through her teeth, forcing a smile over the phone. “She just needed a quick break, Auntie. Took a last-minute trip while she had some downtime from work.”

She couldn’t tell her that Sevyn was missing—possibly fighting for her life in some unknown hellhole. She didn’t have the strength to put that kind of fear in her mother’s voice.

No matter how hard she tried, Dorian couldn’t shake the rage that bubbled beneath her skin every time Hassan’s name came up. As much as she tried to understand, she blamed him. If it wasn’t for him and his dark-ass past, Sevyn would still be safe. Still at home. Still building her clinic, smiling through long days of clients, dreaming out loud. Now, she could be anywhere. In pain. In chains. Or worse.

Today wasn’t about reminiscing. She and Harper were heading back to their alma mater—not for homecoming festivities, not forold memories. Today, they were on a mission. Hassan gave them the green light after a week of planning. The campus would be flooded with people. Distractions. Perfect cover. And Dorian was ready to return the favor to the man who snatched her cousin away.

Upstairs, Harper walked into Dorian’s bedroom carrying a plate of food. Her expression was gentle, but firm. “Here. You need to eat. You haven’t had shit in days,” she said, pushing the plate into Dorian’s hands.

Dorian stared at it like it was poison. Her stomach was in knots, herchesttight.Shecouldn’teat.Couldbarelybreathewithout thinking about where Sevyn might be. If she was cold. If she was hurt. If she was still alive.

Harper sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. She was barely holding it together herself. But she knew Dorian was worse—because this wasn’t just her best friend. This was blood. And Harper knew damn well if it were Hassan in Sevyn’s place, she’d be falling apart the same way.

"I'm not hungry," Dorian muttered, eyes glued to the TV. “Dorian… eat,” Harper urged gently, placing the plate closer.

Tears streaked down Dorian’s face, silent and constant. Harper blinked back her own, stunned every time she saw them fall. She had never seen Dorian cry—hell, she’d never even seen her sulk—but Sevyn was the only person who could break her walls like that.

“Harp,” Dorian whispered, her voice cracking, “I’m scared.”

Harper didn’t hesitate. She climbed into the bed, wrapping an arm around her. “I know,” she said softly. “Me too. But I still got faith in Hassan to bring her home.”

Dorian rolled her eyes at the sound of his name. “The same nigga who got her in this mess in the first place.”

Harper didn’t argue. She just nodded.

“I know you mad at him—hell, I am too. But I also know he would never intentionally hurt Sevyn. I’ve known that man my whole life, and I’ve never seen him cry. Never seen his hands shake or his voice break. But before we even knew what happened to Sevyn, that man was already crumbling. She walked out his house shattered... and it tore him to pieces. Now she’s out there somewhere, maybe hurting, maybe worse—and he blames himself. You don’t have to forgive him, Dori. But don’t act like he doesn’t love her more than anyone.”

Dorian picked up a piece of bacon and slowly chewed, still scowling. “Nobody loves Sevyn more than me. We’re twins—just born in different wombs, different rooms.”

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