Nia blinked. "You mean like like?"
Cassandra hesitated, then nodded slowly. "There's something about him. It's not just the power or the danger. It's the way he sees me. Like I'm not just a pawn in someone else's game. Like I'm... mine."
"Cass." Nia leaned forward, voice gentle now. "You are yours. You don't need a man-any man-to make you feel that."
"I know. I do." Cassandra looked away. "But when he looks at me, I don't feel weak. I don't feel like someone who's been broken by what Evan did. I feel like I'm in control again. Like I matter."
"And what if that's just his way of luring you in?"
Cassandra gave a weak smile. "Then I'll deal with it. But at least this time, I'll walk in with my eyes open."
Nia was quiet for a moment. She reached for Cassandra's hand and squeezed it. "You
