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Cassius whipped his head around, mentally noting every face he saw. “Why?”
“Very few people believe I got this job on my own merit instead of my last name. It’s created a little … tension.” Aella answered cryptically as they reached the elevator.
“Tension as in I need to kill someone or…?”
She snorted as Cassius trailed off.
“Must you always resort to violence?”
“Hey, sometimes it’s necessary. I’ve learned over the years that fear, kindness, and respect are the three best methods to get anything done.”
“And I wonder which of them applies to me,” she quipped as the elevator doors dinged open.
Once inside, Cassius backed Aella into a corner, allowing the doors to slide closed behind him. Leaning so close that their noses almost touched, he asked, “You think I want you afraid of me, Elle?”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Aella tore her eyes away from his. “I never said that.”
Gripping her chin, Cassius forced her to look at him again. “Then all that’s left on that list is kindness and respect. Both of which you can expect to be at the forefront of whatever this thing is between us, a’ight?”
Aella’s breath caught as the two became lost in their own world. Time seemed endless as she remained trapped in his web while the elevator descended slowly to the ground floor. Cassius’ hand trailed from her chin to her neck, painstakingly slow, his hold tightening as he did so. But before anything else transpired, the doors pinged open, and he released her, stepping aside to allow her off the elevator.
“After you, Princess.”
Aella worked hard to hide her breathlessness, but Cassius saw through her immediately. Chuckling, he followed her out of the building, satisfied that, for once, he was the one unraveling her instead of the opposite.
Neither spoke again as Cassius led Aella to his car, only addressing her once he’d opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get in. “Is it an issue for you to leave your car here? I’ll bring you back to get it later tonight.”
“No,” she replied quietly, slipping into the seat. “It should be fine. If anything, I can have Smoke grab it for me.”
Cassius prickled, closing the door. He didn’t speak again until he was seated on the driver’s side and pulling out of the parking space. “That’s the nigga you brought to my house?”
“Is that jealousy I hear?” Aella grinned.
“No. I’m just trying to figure out the dynamic between you two. You have a habit of being secretive about everything.”
Rolling her eyes, Aella melted into the soft leather seat. “First of all, I’m not secretive. I’m guarded and keep things close to my chest—something you, of all people, should understand. Second, there’s nothing to tell when it comes to Smoke. He started as a bodyguard; now he’s a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“That nigga is young as fuck to be a bodyguard.”
“He’s lived a life,” she shrugged. “And since that’s not my story to tell, it’s all I’m willing to say on the subject.”
“Respect,” Cassius nodded. “But you know if there was something more between you two and you didn’t tell me, I’m killing him if I find out later.”
“Oh, my God.” She rolled her eyes. “What did I just say?”
He shot her a crooked grin. “I believe you. For now. I’m just letting you know what’s up so you don’t pretend to be shocked later.”
“Something is really wrong with you.”
“Agreed.” He tossed her another smile. “You sure you still want to do this?”
“Are you?” Aella shot back.
“I don’t think there’s anything in the world I’d rather do at this point.”
“Cassius Farina, always with the pretty words.”
“Aella Torrisi, forever the pessimist.”
