CHAPTER 103: The Man Named Aaron

Desiree's POV

I’ve been watching Caspian walk back and forth, his steps heavy. Something’s off. I feel it in the way he won’t meet my eyes, the way his hand keeps running through his hair like he’s trying to pull himself together but failing.

“Hey, Cherry,” he says finally, walking toward me. He tries to smile, but it’s thin, barely there. “You shouldn’t be on your feet, and you know it.”

“I’m fine, Caspian,” I reply, brushing off his concern. “But you don’t look fine. What’s going on?”

He hesitates. His hand moves to rub the back of his neck, something he only does when he’s nervous. There’s a long pause. I know whatever’s coming isn’t good.

Before he can answer, the man sitting on the couch—dark-haired, sharp-eyed—speaks up. “Hi,” he says, smiling in a way that makes me uneasy. “Pleasure meeting you. I’m Antonio.”

So this is the Antonio. Caspian’s private investigator. I’ve known about him for a while—heard his name enough times—but seeing him in person? It feels strange. Like he kn