Seated behind the desk of his study was Cassian, his spectacles on and gaze fixed on black ink on white paper, a pen on one hand ready to sign where needed or correct what should be corrected.
A knock on the door drew his attention, and a small frown formed between his brows.
"Come in," he permitted.
A second later, the door opened, and Isaac and Kevin walked in. Once he was sure of who they were, his gaze returned to the piece of paper he held in hand.
"What is it?" He asked. "I thought I made it clear I didn't want to be disturbed?" He lifted his head, eyes narrowing in displeasure.
"There's been suspicious movement around Miss Marudas recently," Isaac said, while Kevin pulled a chain and sat down. Pulling the nearest thing on the desk to himself, he busied himself with the contents of an unfamiliar envelope.
Cassian dropped the document he held and capped the pen, his attention now on Isaac, who wore a grim expression.
"You need to make known what your relationship with Miss Marudas is, or you might put her in even greater danger than she already is. If it's just business, then let it be known that that is all there is to it."
"Who is it this time?" Cassian asked, his gaze deep and thoughts far.
"Magnus and his men," Isaac replied.
Assian drew in a deep breath and leaned into the chair, his fingers tapping an absent-minded rhythm on the desk. "I'll think of something," he said after a long pause. "Keep our people around her. Don't let her get hurt or taken. That'll be a headache."
Kevin looked up, a brow raised, almost amused, while Isaac's frown deepened.
"This…" Isaac opened his mouth but ran out of words. Then, after a brief silence, he snapped, "You should cut all ties with her at this point, not getting even further involved with her."
Cassian paused, his brows knitting together. Isaac wasn't wrong. To prevent anything from escalating, he just needed to stop her, and she'll be safe. No harm done.
But…
Against his better judgment, he instructed, "Keep her protected, report all suspicious activities to me. I will take care of it."
Isaac stared at Cassian in incredulity. What exactly was wrong with this man? He asked inwardly.
His gaze shifted to Kevin, who had been silent the entire time and shot him a glare.
"What?" Kevin asked, a frown forming between his brows.
"Talk some sense into him. He seems to be listening to you more than me," Isaac said and walked away, slamming the door behind him as if it were at fault.
After Isaac left, a tense silence reigned between them. Cassian appeared deep in thought while Kevin just stared at him with interest.
"There's a new development," Kevin said, and Cassian's gaze found his. He dipped his hand into his pocket and fished out a photo. "The old man is planning to marry her off. That is his picture," he placed the picture in front of Cassian. "If you have anything planned, be snappy about it. You might end up losing everything."
Cassian frowned but picked up the picture. "Who is this?
"Dennis Whyte," Kevin replied as if that was all that was important about him.
Cassian shot him a glare and grinned.
"He is sixty-two," Kevin added, an even wider grin on his face when he saw Cassian grow tense after he said that.
"She is a woman," Cassian muttered, his gaze still on the photo of Mr. Whyte. "It can't be helped."
"So you are giving up without even giving it a shot?" Kevin asked, a frown appearing on his face. "Even if she would be forced to marry a man old enough to her grandfather?"
"What would you have me do, stop her marriage?" Cassian asked, "She came to me for business and that's all there is. All it will be."
"Really?" Kevin raised a brow, not believing a single word. "She's the first woman I haven't seen you throw out, human or not." He pointed out and saw Cassian got tense. His gaze grew complicated.
"I need some space," Cassian said, a hand over his eyes.
Kevin stood up, hands tugged in his pants pockets. "Want some advice?"
Cassiance didn't react but didn't dismiss him either.
"Get laid," Kevin said and received a glare but he just shrugged. "It helps more than you think. Find a woman and see what it is you truly want."
"Just leave."
Kevin grinned and stepped towards the door. "I'm serious though. Find a woman whose throat you won't strangle or slit. There are many out there who would be more than happy to get a piece of you. If that's too much, get yourself drunk then get laid." he said before shutting the door behind him.
Once he was gone, Cassian let out a tired sigh, running his fingers through his hair.
"Look what are you doing to me Annabelle," he muttered through clenched jaws.
Outside, as soon as he closed the door, Kevin met Isaac's glare and halted in his steps.
"Do you enjoy glaring at people?" He asked, a small frown on his face. "It's no wonder nobody likes you."
"When I said talk to him, I didn't say you should encourage him," Isaac said ignoring Kevin's remark. "Do you know what this means?"
Kevin nodded. "Yes," he said. "It means he gets a woman and I won't have to deal with those old men pestering me all the time. Lately, they've made his marriage and sexual life a constant discussion amongst themselves. They are even wondering if he's weak between the legs."
Isaac pressed his lips in a thin line, suppressing a laugh.
"Annabelle is not a bad choice," Kevin added.
"I am not so sure about that," said Isaac.
"But she'll be enough to prove that the big man is straight and not impotent," Kevin stated.
He threw his head back, gaze up at the ceiling. A slow smile crept up his lips as if he found something of interest up there. "Things are going to be quite interesting from here on." He mused.