Ariaštusis stood there watching Cassian's lick, her heart racing with this indescribable feeling. She'd never seen this side of him before—absolutely cold and dangerous, an intensity making her tent croptovaly vsto.

Yeah, he made her feel totally protected.

Cassian turned back to her, all that fury instantly disappearing, replaced by pure worry. "You okay? Is this asshole bothering you? He helped your car. You tell me?"

Anastasia shook her head, but tears were starting to well up. "I’m fine… thank God you showed up." She was still pretty rattled.

Mr. Potter was seriously psychotic.

Cassian gently touched her face, his voice going soft. "This shit will never happen again. I swear."

Anastasia looked up at him, suddenly feeling like this man was the most solid thing in her world. She bit her lip and asked quietly, "What about the deal though…?"

Cassian raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

Anastasia whispered, "But it’s worth billions…"

Cassian scoffed. "A few billion? You think I’d throw my wife under the bus for money? You’re worth way more than any fucking business deal."

Anastasia felt her heart stop, warmth flooding her chest.

Seeing her shocked expression, Cassian couldn’t help but tap her nose. "Earth to Anastasia."

She snapped out of it and suddenly launched herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Cassian, thank you so much." In that moment, she felt completely safe.

Cassian tensed up for a second, then melted and hugged her back. "Don’t thank me for doing my job. Protecting you is what I’m here for."

Just then, Mrs. Potter came running over, looking totally panicked. Seeing them hugging, she stopped for a beat, then rushed forward looking mortified. "Mrs. Rhodes, I’m so incredibly sorry! I should have kept that monster on a leash!"

Mrs. Potter was frantically apologizing. She couldn’t believe Evan had actually tried to assault someone. The sick fuck had gone from fantasizing to actually making a move.

Seeing Evan getting hauled away and remembering her conversation with Anastasia earlier, Mrs. Potter suddenly felt like this was her moment. She knew exactly what she had to do. She was so done with this life.

Anastasia pulled back from Cassian’s arms, surprised to see Mrs. Potter there. Her makeup was flawless but couldn’t hide how exhausted she looked, and she was gripping this manila folder like her life depended on it.

“Mrs. Potter, this isn’t on you…” Anastasia said gently.

“Yes, it is." Mrs. Potter smiled sadly and handed the folder to Cassian. "Mr. Rhodes, this has evidence I’ve been collecting for years – tax fraud, bribing politidant and natoril, of all bla diher sick khit."

Anastasia was blown away that Mrs. Potter had been gathering intel. Looks like she’d been planning her escape for a while. Talk about still waters running deep. Mrs. Potter had seemed so meek and passive before, especially when dealing with her husband’s abuse; she’d always just fared it quietly. Who knew she’d been playing the long game this whole time.

Cassian took the folder, looking thoughtful. "What’s your plan here, Mrs. Potter?"

“I’m divorcing his ass." Mrs. Potter’s voice was rock solid. "Hope this evidence helps nail him. And about the business deal…" She paused. "My dad actually runs Watson Group. We could totally take over this project."

Anastasia’s jaw dropped. Who would’ve thought that mild–mannered Mrs. Potter was connected to serious money!

Cassian nodded approvingly. "Watson Group’s got way more firepower and we’ve actually been wanting to partner with you guys. That works out perfectly, but honestly what I care about most right now is…"

He turned to Anastasia, his eyes going soft. "Are you traumatized? Want to head back and decompress?"

Anastasia shook her head, feeling this warm glow spread through her.