Captive of My Heart | Ch 6, pt 2.

Typically, Cassius was a master of self-control, but there was something about Aella that effortlessly unraveled him. He’d known it from the night she’d rejected her father’s suggestion that they marry and left him doubting and second-guessing himself.

Aella Torrisi was a danger to him, yet he couldn’t find the will to stay away from her. Hence, he was about to make himself look like a fool over her again because he couldn’t stand the thought of another man existing in her space.

“What’s up, Elle?” He butted into the conversation without a greeting.

Aella’s face was a mask of surprise as she looked up at him. “H-hi. What are you doing here?”

“I told you earlier today I’d be here when I asked you to be my date. Only when I pulled up to your crib to pick you up, you weren’t there.”

Her face flushed as the man she’d been speaking with watched the two amusedly. “Elle, you need a minute?”

Cassius’ face darkened. “Don’t a—”

“Alright,” Aella intervened, stepping between the two. “Before you go on another one of your rants and embarrass me again, this is Shadow’s at the head of my security detail. There’s no need for all that.”

“At all,” Shadow chuckled. “But how you feel about her reflects how you look at her, so I understand. Elle, you know where to find me if you need me.”

With that, Shadow disappeared, leaving Cassius and Aella alone.

Shifting her weight, she offered a sheepish grin that dissipated his anger as quickly as it had risen.

“That cute ass smile ain’t finna save you,” he barked, trying to keep his annoyed exterior.

Tilting her head, Aella pursed her lips. “You mad at me?”

“You had me pull up to your crib, looking like a damn fool knowing you wouldn’t be there. Hell yeah, I’m mad at you.”

“In my defense, I didn’t believe you would show up.”

Palming his face, Cassius released a frustrated sigh. “A’ight, look. How about we just start over? Come dance with me.” When she quirked an eyebrow, he added. “Please?”

Aella wrinkled her nose and placed her empty glass on a tray carried by a passing waiter before reluctantly allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.

“You know you had me looking crazy tonight, right?” He inquired, enclosing his arms around her.

“I thought we were starting over?” she teased. “Why are you living in the past?”

Chuckling, Cassius nodded. “You’re right, my bad. I’m Cassius.”

“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Aella.”

He removed an arm from her waist, brushed her hair from her face, and traced her cheek with his index finger. “I like that. It’s unique.”

“Like its owner,” she boasted, giggling.

“That she is,” Cassius smiled. “And speaking of unique,” he dragged the tips of her fingers down the length of her arm, taking her hand. “Our fathers have this crazy idea that a marriage between our families would benefit both parties.”

Aella’s breath caught in her throat at the close contact. “Is that so?”

“It is. I don’t think my potential future wife thinks I’d be a good husband, though.”

“What she thinks doesn’t matter. Do you want to be a good husband? If not, all of this is futile.”

“I can’t lie and say the idea doesn’t make me nervous. The shit kind of fell into my lap overnight. And as attracted as I am to my potential bride, she’s the polar opposite of the type of women I typically entertain.”

“Meaning, she doesn’t accept your bullshit,” Aella quipped, causing them both to laugh.

Cassius spun her slowly before pulling her back into his arms.

“Exactly. She’s a puzzle. Nothing about her is what I’m used to. Just the idea of her taps into a side of me I’m not familiar with. The shit is unnerving.”

“So, leave her alone,” Aella shrugged.

“Not an option. I tried that, and she was on my mind every second of every day I stayed away. It’s like she somehow embedded herself within me, and there’s no turning back. She’s stuck with me.”

Licking her lips, she turned away. “What if she doesn’t want to be?”

“I’m sure once she gets a glimpse of a different side of me, she will.”

“And just how do you plan to show her that other side?”

Before Cassius could respond and admit he had no clue, Severo’s voice filled the room as he took the stage, speaking into the microphone. “Could I have everyone’s attention for a moment?” He said, smiling brightly.

Extracting herself from Cassius’ arms, Aella turned to the stage, beaming with pride as she watched her father.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight. Our families have collaborated on this gala for over a decade now, and I’m proud to know that donations for the less fortunate in our community continue to grow each year. This year, we’re founding a new project, which one of my beautiful daughters, Ilaria, is here to tell you all about.”

There was a short burst of applause as Ilaria, with security’s help, climbed the few steps to get onstage. Wearing a broad smile while waving at the crowd, she was almost to Severo before the unthinkable happened. Aella’s blood ran cold as a red dot appeared on her father’s chest, followed by the deafening sound of a gunshot and all hell breaking loose.