Cassian's hands were on her hips.
His mouth on her throat.
Her back hit the door the second he locked it behind them.
"You came back," he whispered.
Eden kissed him like she was trying to burn the ache out of her chest.
Because she needed something to hold onto.
Because if she didn't, she'd scream.
He Carried Her to the Bedroom, without a word.
Dropped her on the bed like she belonged to him.
Her mind was screaming
But her body was wet.
Hungry.
Willing.
"Missed me, angel?" he asked, tugging her blouse open.
"I wanted to forget you."
"Did it work?"
She slapped him.
He grinned.
"Thought so."
He Stripped Her Slowly
Mouth brushing every inch of skin he exposed.
Until she was naked and shaking beneath him.
"You smell like guilt," he murmured, sucking a bruise into her collarbone.
"You smell like control."
"And you love it."
He slid a hand between her thighs.
She gasped.
"Say it."
"No."
He pushed two fingers inside her.
"Liar."
He Made Her cum Fast and Hard
He went in again and again.
Until her body forgot how to fight him.
Until she was limp.
Boneless.
Obedient.
Then he fucked her slow.
Dark eyes locked on hers.
Each thrust asked something she wasn't ready to face.
Each moan spilled a truth she hadn't meant to give.
When she finally cummed again, she bit his shoulder so hard she tasted blood.
After they were done
She stared at the ceiling.
His arm draped over her.
Heart still racing.
"I saw the files," she said.
His body didn't move.
"I know about the tapes."
He exhaled slowly.
"You watched them?"
"Yes."
"You saw her?"
"You labeled it Eden_1."
"I know."
"Why?"
He was silent.
Then..he said
"Because she was my first mistake."
"And I'm what?"
"My second."
Eden Sat Up
Naked. Shaking.
But fierce.
"I'm not a mistake, Cassian."
"No," he said quietly. "You're an addiction."
She reached for her jeans.
"I should hate you."
"I know."
"But I don't."
"I know that too."
"Why did she beg you to stop?"
"She thought she wanted limits."
"And you ignored them."
"She asked me to take everything."
"Then changed her mind."
"And I didn't believe her."
She Dressed in Silence
His eyes followed her every move.
"You're not her," he said.
"I could be."
"No. You're worse."
She laughed bitterly.
"Thanks."
"I mean you'll let me destroy you and then crawl back asking for more."
"I already have."
His jaw tensed.
"You still trust me?"
"No."
"Then why are you still here?"
She looked at him.
And said the most dangerous thing she could.
"Because I want you to teach me how to be like you."
She Left Without Kissing Him
And drove straight to Rowan's hotel.
He opened the door shirtless.
Tattooed.
Mouth bruised.
"Rough night?" he asked.
"You have no idea."
"Come in."
His Room Was a Mess
Whiskey bottles.
Cigarette smoke.
Laptop open with more videos loaded.
"I watched them," Eden said.
"All of them?"
"Enough."
"Then you understand."
She shook her head.
"I understand him more than I want to."
"And that scares you?"
"No," she said. "That turns me on."
Rowan's eyes darkened.
And she liked it.
He Got Close
Too close.
"You want to become what he fears," Rowan whispered.
"I want to stop being what he breaks."
He ran a finger along her jaw.
"What if I told you Cassian's done worse than the tapes?"
"I'd believe you."
"He killed a woman last year."
"I saw the file."
"No," Rowan said. "Not Marla. Someone else. A submissive from Europe. Her name was Tereza. She vanished after staying at his Paris estate."
Eden went still.
"You have proof?"
"I have her journal."
"Where?"
"In my room."
She Followed Him Across the Hall
Rowan unlocked another door.
Inside was a wall covered in photos.
Notes. Maps. Red thread connecting timelines.
"Jesus."
"You think Cassian is just a damaged man, Eden?"
She nodded slowly.
"He's a predator."
"No," she said softly. "He's a god trying to erase every sinner who made him bleed."
Rowan frowned.
"And you think that excuses him?"
"No."
"Then why are you defending him?"
"Because I want to understand why I still crave the hand that's choking me."
He Pulled Out a File
Dropped it in front of her.
Tereza.
Eden opened it.
It was a photo of the girl.
Smiling. Blindfolded and Naked.
Then gone.
"Cassian erased her."
"Why?"
"She tried to expose him."
"And now I'm next."
"No," Rowan said. "Now you're bait."
Rowan Watched Her Closely
"You're too deep in this, Eden."
"I know."
"Then walk away."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because if I leave, he wins."
"No. If you stay, you lose."
She looked up.
Eyes burning.
"I'd rather burn beside him than live cold."
Rowan Reached for Her
And kissed her.
She froze.
Then grabbed his shirt.
Clung to him like he was the lifeline Cassian had stolen.
Their mouths crashed.
Teeth. Tongue. Fire.
But it wasn't Cassian.
And she felt it.
She Pulled Away
"Don't," she whispered.
Rowan stared at her.
"I could be better for you."
"I don't want better."
"Then what do you want?"
She looked him in the eye.
"Someone who can destroy me properly."
That Night, Eden Didn't Sleep
She returned to her apartment.
Sat on her bed.
And made a decision.
She would find that estate in Paris.
Find the truth.
And then decide who dies first.
Her.. Or Cassian.
The Next Morning
Cassian texted her.
"Dinner tonight. Wear the red dress."
She replied.
"Already packed."
He sent back a red heart.
And Eden smiled.
Because she had something better than love now.
Revenge.
Cassian's Car Picked Her Up at Seven
The driver didn't speak.
She didn't ask questions.
When they pulled into the private airfield, her breath caught.
His jet was waiting.
Engines humming.
Lights glowing.
"Where are we going?" she asked as Cassian met her on the steps.
"Paris."
Her stomach twisted.
"How convenient."
He smiled.
"That's the thing about fate, angel. It always knows when you're ready."
The Jet Was a Palace in the Sky
She sat beside him.
Drank his wine.
Watched the city disappear beneath them.
"You trust me?" he asked, stroking her thigh.
"I trust myself."
"And what does that mean?"
"It means if you try to kill me, I'll make sure you bleed first."
He laughed.
Dark. Real.
"That's my girl."
She Fell Asleep Mid-flight
Or thought she did.
Because when she woke
She wasn't in the jet anymore.
She was strapped to a leather chair.
Naked.
Blindfolded.
Mouth taped.
And Cassian's voice whispered from the darkness
"Now let's see what kind of monster you really are."