Chapter 23: I don’t take orders from you.

The moment I step back into the main club, the music hits me like a physical force, the bass is so loud I feel it in my chest.

There are people everywhere, bodies moving against each other, drinks raised above heads, lights flashing across faces before disappearing again.

For a second, I just stand there, trying to find the exit.

I should have known this wouldn’t be simple, nothing in my life is ever fucking simple. I push through the crowd, keeping my bag tucked close to my side.

I barely make it a few steps before someone catches my hand, if it’s another horny bastard. ....

I spin around immediately.

"What the f....."

My words die in my throat.

Cassian.

He’s standing in front of me with an expression that makes my stomach drop.

Hes Furious.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Nerissa?"

I yank my hand from his.

"How did you find me?"

He looks at me like I’ve just asked the stupidest question in the world.

"You haven’t told me what you’re doing here."

"I’m not answering your question until you answer mine."

His jaw tightens.

"Nerissa."

"What?"

"Why are you here?"

I glance around us.

The music is ridiculously loud so I lean closer so he can hear me.

"I came to tie some loose ends."

His eyebrows pull together.

"What?"

"I said I came to tie some loose ends."

"What loose ends?"

His face hardens.

"What the fuck, Rissa?"

I glare at him.

"What?"

"You can’t just waltz into a Sanchez club!"

"Apparently I can."

"This isn’t your fucking playground."

"And I’m not a child!."

"I didn’t say you were."

"You’re acting like it."

He opens his mouth.

I don’t even hear what he says because the music changes and the people scream, swallowing his words.

I lean closer.

"What?"

"I said you shouldn’t be here!"

"I heard you the first time!"

"You clearly didn’t!"

"I heard you just fine!"

We’re practically shouting at each other now, neither of us willing to lower our voices enough to admit that we’re losing the argument to the music.

People around us are beginning to look.

I don’t care.

Cassian reaches for my arm again and I pull away.

"Don’t."

His eyes narrow.

"Stop being difficult."

"Stop treating me like I’m five."

"You’re acting like you’re five!"

My temper spikes.

"You know what? Fuck you."

"Rissa."

I hear my name from beside me nd i turn to see its Olivia.

She’s standing there looking between the two of us with that worried little crease between her eyebrows.

She doesn’t say anything at first, she simply reaches for my hand, her fingers curling around mine.

Then she squeezes.

Once gently.

I know what that means.

Calm down.

She knows me too well.

I close my eyes for a second and take a breath then another.

The anger doesn’t disappear but it stops boiling over.

I look back at Cassian.

"I’m fine."

He stares at me.

"You don’t look fine."

"That’s because you’re pissing me the fuck off."

Olivia gives my hand another small squeeze.

I sigh.

"Fine."

I take a breath and prepare to explain but Olivia beats me to it.

"Please."

Her voice is soft as she looks at Cassian.

"Let’s talk outside."

Cassian glances at me then at Olivia, he looks like he wants to argue.

Thankfully, he doesn’t.

Olivia tugs gently on my hand.

"Come on."

I let her pull me toward the exit, the moment the doors open, the music drops behind us.

Cool night air hits my face and I breathe deeply.

God.

That feels better.

Olivia doesn’t let go of my hand as she looks at me.

"Okay."

Her voice is quiet.

"What did you do?"

I stare at her.

"I didn’t do anything."

Cassian steps outside behind us.

His expression says he doesn’t believe me for a second. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

I look between them.

Then sigh.

"Fine."

I fold my arms.

"I went to see Lysander."

Olivia’s eyes widen.

Cassian goes completely still.

And judging by both their faces... i have a feeling I’m about to get yelled at again.

"Are the Sanchez even allowed to own a property on our grounds?"

Cassian looks at me.

I fold my arms.

"What?"

"You’re escaping the questions."

He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face.

"But I’ll humor you. No. They weren’t."

I narrow my eyes.

"Then how the hell are they running a club here?"

"It’s part of the agreement of peace."

I stare at him.

"What agreement?"

"The one you clearly weren’t paying attention to."

"Cassian."

He rolls his eyes.

"Marrying Olivia and running business on our grounds. Same as us."

I blink.

"Wait."

"We run a business on their grounds too."

"So the Sanchez own this place?"

"Technically."

"Technically?"

"It’s complicated."

"Of course it is."

He opens his mouth to continue, but the door behind us suddenly opens nd all three of us turn.

Lysander walks out and my body goes completely still.

He looks between us, his expression unreadable.

Then...

BANG!

A single gunshot tears through the air.

Everything happens at once.

Olivia screams as Cassian grabs her and pulls her behind him.

I duck instinctively.

Lysander moves faster, hs hand disappears beneath his jacket as his eyes sweep across the area, searching for the source of the shot.

The Men at the entrance pull weapons from beneath their jackets as security rushes toward the entrance.

"Get down!" someone yells.

I press myself against the wall.

"Olivia!"

"I’m here!" she cries.

Cassian keeps his body between her and the open doorway.

"Stay behind me."

Another second passes but there’s second shot.

Lysander looks directly at me, our eyes meet.

And for for the first time since I saw him again after four years, I don’t see the cold man from the meeting, j see the man from the rain, the man whose blood stained my hands.

Bullet Boy.

Except this time, he isn’t the one bleeding.

His gaze shifts past me.

"Where did it come from?"

When Nobody answers Lysander takes one slow step forward.

Cassian looks at Lysander.

"What the fuck was that?"

Lysander doesn’t answer, hs eyes remain fixed on the path the bullet came from.

Then he looks at me again.

"Nerissa."

I swallow.

"What?"

"Stay behind me."

I almost laugh because of all the things he could say right now, that is the last one I expect.

"I don’t take orders from you."

His jaw tightens.

"I wasn’t asking."