Chapter 4
The explosion tore through the heart of Cedarcrest City’s downtown like a warzone detonation.
I stared at the smoking wreckage of the safe–house. And deep down, I knew–this wasn’t just personal anymore. This was going to blow up in ways even Cassian couldn’t clean up.
Delilah clung to Cassian’s arm, covering her ears with an exaggerated squeal.
“That was so loud! Ugh, I’m still shaking.”
Then she strutted over and kicked me–twice.
“What now, huh? You threatened us with consequences. Where are they?” She cackled. “That was your precious little house, and we blew it sky–high. Still think you can scare us?”
My phone started vibrating violently in my pocket.
The caller ID read only one thing: 0.
My chest tightened. I answered immediately.
Dr. Conrad Blake’s voice was sharp and clipped on the other end.
“Seraphina, where are you? Your registered unit was just leveled. We’re treating this as an active threat against a federal project lead. A response team is on route now.”
I responded quickly and clearly.
“Sir, I’m at the site. The people who bombed the house… they’re standing right in front of me.”
“What?!”
His voice roared so loud through the line I had to pull the phone away.
“Who had the audacity?!”
“They said the Sterlings own this city,” I reported coldly. “They said they do whatever they want. And they told me–next
time, it’s not just the house that goes up.”
There was a long beat of silence. Then Dr. Blake’s voice dropped into something dangerous.
“Put them on the phone. Now.”
I turned to hand it over-
But Delilah snatched the phone from my hand before I could react.
“Well, well,” she cooed, voice dripping with venom. “You must be that bitch Seraphina’s boss. What’s your deal? You
looking to get blown up too?”
She didn’t even wait for a reply.
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“Yeah, I said it. The Sterlings run Cedarcrest. My Cassian does whatever the hell he wants, and no one–no one–gets to
tell him otherwise.”
The line on the other end went completely silent, like even the air had been punched out of it.
Then a low voice growled, “Who are you? Put Cassian on the phone.”
Delilah let out a mean little laugh. “Who the hell do you think you are, talking like that to my Cassian?”
She flipped her hair, walking in small circles as she spoke.
“I’m his childhood sweetheart. Soon–to–be wife. What I say, he says. And if you’ve got a problem with that–feel free to
come find us.”
“Hell, bring your whole little task force. We already blew up her house–what’s a few more nobodies?”
I heard Dr. Blake’s breath hitch. Then–nothing. Just slow, seething inhalation.
Delilah grinned into the silence.
“What? Cat got your tongue? Thought so. Scared now, aren’t you?”
And with that, she hung up.
Then, without a second thought, she smashed my phone to the ground and turned to Cassian with glowing pride.
“He totally froze. Didn’t say a word after I shut him down.”
Cassian ran a hand through her hair, smug as ever.
“That’s my girl. Always knows how to handle things.”
I could barely suppress a shiver. Handle things?
No, she’d just buried Cassian and the entire Sterling family six feet deep.
I gave him a long, slow look.
“You sure you don’t want to check that call log?” I asked softly.
“Not even a little curious who she just threatened to ‘blow up“?”
Cassian scoffed, waving me off.
Delilah rolled her eyes and snorted.
“As if anyone in this city scares us. The Sterlings own Cedarcrest.”
I tilted my head and smiled, just a little.
“Then I hope you’re still feeling brave… ten minutes from now.”
And right on cue-
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A deep, thunderous roar echoed through the sky.
Rotors.
I looked up.
Overhead, a fleet of military helicopters descended, green ID tags gleaming beneath the spinning blades.
On the street, black SUVS marked with classified insignias screeched to a halt, forming a perimeter around the ruins.
Chapter 4
