New threat

Shadows of Threats

Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, and Cassie began to see the Blackwood estate as home. She was never mistreated, never taken for granted or disrespected.

She even began to have nice conversations with some of the staff. She became close to Mrs. Persephone the housekeeper and her personal maid, Tyler.

Bane still maintained a different attitude with bouts of niceness once in a while.

Though the Blackwood estate was a new development in her life, it was better than home.

It was better than the torture, the insults, hunger and the abuse from Ryder and Elijah.

Now she could move more freely within the house and even had the password to some areas.

The Blackwood estate was beautiful, almost too perfect from the manicured lawns to the towering walls and iron gates designed to keep outsiders at bay.

And yet, Ryder and Elijah could still get in.

It started with calls. They came at least an hour after breakfast, almost as if whoever was at the other end of the line wanted her out of the dining hall and out of Bain's presence.

No one ever answered. There was only silence and heavy breathing at the other end.

Then came the messages.

She woke up one morning on her way to the dining hall, that was when she saw it. A crisp white envelope under her door.

It had chilling words scribbled on it in handwriting she could recognize all too well.

A while later, she found another letter. Crisp and white on the dresser. After 2 months, she had gotten at least 4 of the crisp white letters.

The last letter came on a stormy night, as rain poured down and thunder demonstrated its strength around the vicinity.

It was right under her pillow. Crisp and white as the others have been. She recognized Ryders's messy scroll again.

"You'll pay for what you've done, Cassie. You'll pay dearly."

Her knees went weak. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the note. She could almost picture his face and hear him cackle his threat. She could feelhis anger in every word.

It had been a while she felt dread. She felt one now.

She wrapped her arms around herself and ducked underneath the duvet. Not that she could hide from them, but that was all she had now.

The room suddenly felt smaller. The shadows on the walls slowly reaching out. And then there was thunder again. This time she jumped and stared around in fear and panic, as if Ryder was there.

She slowly picked up the nightstand, just in case.

Cassie knew she couldn't keep this to herself any longer. The threats were getting bolder and more sinister.

She had thought of telling Bain, but would he believe her? Or see it as a manipulation tactic to gain sympathy?

Besides, Bein was a man of control and power. He didn't trust easily, and he didn't let people in.

He had kept his distance from her since the day she entered his life. He would not believe her.

But she couldn't ignore the memory of the brief moments when he had let his guard down.

She chose to look at the kind Bain, the one who had asked of her comfort, the one who had listened patiently to his staff.

He couldn't be that bad. She convinced herself seeing that she needed his protection now.

Taking a deep breath, Cathy dashed through the hallways. Her footsteps silenced by the heavy downpour and occasional thunder.

She stopped to catch her breath seconds before she got to Bain's office. She didn't want to appear weak, and didn't want him to think she was doing this to gain his sympathy.

Some seconds later, she walked hesitantly to Byron's office and knocked softly, her hands trembling.

"Come in,” his voice was calm and controlled as always.

She heard a small click, he had opened the door from inside.

Her shaky hands went to the handle, and after taking a deep breath, she turned it open.

As she walked into the office, she found him behind his desk with papers scattered around him.

His shirt sleeves were rolled to show the toned arm underneath it. He looked exhausted with his hair slightly disheveled. Cursing, he leaned back, his expression guarded.

"What is it?" he asked.

Her mouth went dry and her resolve suddenly crumpled like the crisp white paper in her hands, but the image of a desperate and angry Ryder flashed through her mind and her fear dissolved immediately.

She held out the crumpled paper handshaking, "I got this tonight, it.. it was on my pillow" Bran's face went cold, his eyes began to scan the writing immediately he unfolded the paper.

His knuckles turned white and a frown formed on his face, his muscles tensing as if he was ready for battle.

"How long?” he whispered.

Cassie knew what he meant. "A few weeks,” she admitted, and as guilt washed over her, she quickly added, "I didn't want to bother you, I didn't know if you'd believe me.”

Anger flashed in his eyes, this time, towards her. He stood up, moving around the desk with his speed that made her step back.

"What do you mean you thought I wouldn't believe you?" His voice was sharp.

"You're under my roof, Cassie, that makes you my responsibility and no one theeatens what's mine."

Cassie's heart gave a thump. Did he just acknowledge her as his? And not as a servant or slave but a person?

He was still staring at her. It was overwhelming and suffocating. As she raised her eyes to him, she saw a side of him she had never seen before.

A demeanor filled with rage that sent a chill down her spine."I'll take care of it, Cassie,” he promised.

"No one will ever hurt you again.”

Cassie suddenly felt ease. Powerful Bain, ruthless Bain, mafia boss Bain said he would protect her. She felt a surge ofsecurity and then gratitude.

And as she turned to Bane to bid her goodbyes and head to her room, she saw that his eyes were distant. His mind must already be calculating and planning his next move.

There was no softness in this man. This wasn't Bain the employer or Bain the occasional husband. This was Bain the predator, Bain the protector and he would hunt anyone who dared threaten what was his.

For the first time since the messages started, Cassie truly felt protected. In an ironic way, she began to feel pity for Elijah and Ryder.

They were not the ones to be feared. She was mistaken. BainBlackwood, her protector, her enemy, her master, her husband, the man she was dangerously close to falling for. He was the one to be feared.