Chapter 245

Seeing Ana’s disheveled state and the pain written all over her face, Cassian felt like someone had ripped his heart out. “Get me some water! And call a doctor, now!” he barked at the officers.

He was already at Ana’s side, gently taking her hands in his before he’d even finished speaking.

Ana had been holding back tears for what felt like forever, but seeing Cassian broke the dam. Her voice came out as barely a whisper. “Cass…”

Cassian pulled her into his arms, holding her like she was made of glass. Like if he squeezed too tight, she might just shatter completely.

“I’m here now, baby. Nobody’s gonna hurt you anymore.”

“God, I’m so sorry. I had no idea this was happening. I thought you were just at work, and then Sharlene showed up looking for you…” His voice cracked with guilt.

If he’d known Ana was in trouble, he would’ve dropped everything and come running. Usually, he’d text her throughout the day, but today he’d had this major international conference call. He’d sent her a message that morning, but when she didn’t reply, he got so caught up in meetings that it slipped his mind.

“It’s… not your fault,” Ana managed to get out.

“I figured they’d try to handle this quietly, you know? Keep it under wraps. But bringing in the cops? That means they’re pretty damn confident nobody can touch them.”

She paused, trying to catch her breath. “If they give you trouble, just walk away. Don’t worry about me. I won’t confess to something I didn’t do. I’ll get a lawyer and fight this thing.”

Even now, beaten down and exhausted, she was still trying to protect him.

“I’m getting you out of here right now,” Cassian said firmly.

Theo walked in with a doctor and bottled water.

Ana’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning when she saw the water. “Water…”

“Easy, babe. Slow sips.”

Watching Ana drink was like watching a fish finally find water after being stranded on dry land. You could literally see life coming back into her.

Cassian looked at Theo. “Can I take her home now?”

“Yeah, we’re good to go.”

Theo’s expression was complicated as he watched Cassian with Ana. He’d been out of town for weeks, doing financial audits for some Fortune 500 company, and had only gotten back today to find out about this mess.

He’d only heard about Cassian’s marriage through their group chat. At the time, he’d given him hell about it, joking that he was “welcome to the graveyard of love” and hoping he wouldn’t make the same mistakes Theo had.

Cassian had just sent back an eye-roll emoji.

Theo had been curious about what kind of woman could make the famously commitment-phobic Cassian Rhodes settle down – and so fast, too.

Now, seeing Ana, he got it.

Shaking off his thoughts, Theo nodded. “You’re all set.”

“Thanks.”

Chapter 245

Cassian scooped Ana up and headed for the exit.

The moment they stepped outside the precinct, Jasper Hale came charging over like a man possessed. “Ana!”

Ana blinked in surprise. What was Jasper doing here?

“Ana, I had my mom call Director Fury, but it didn’t seem to help. I’m so sorry,” Jasper said, his voice heavy with frustration.

Ana had always known Jasper had one “get out of jail free” card with his family connections—something he could only use once.

Hearing that Megan Miller had called the director, Ana actually laughed – a bitter sound. “Jasper, how can you be so naive? You really think your mom would waste that kind of favor on me?”

The words hit Jasper like a punch to the gut. For a moment, he couldn’t speak at all.

He’d sobered up by now, so his head was crystal clear. Deep down, he’d had his doubts earlier, but he’d wanted to believe his mother wouldn’t lie to him.

Ana’s words cut through him like a knife, the truth too painful to ignore.