"No, Angelo," Cassian growled into his phone as he stepped out of the sleek black car, the freshly fallen snow crunching beneath his polished leather shoes. "I don't want excuses—I want results. Tell DeLuca to handle it personally, or I'll find someone who can." His voice was sharp, controlled, and deadly, the tone of a man who was accustomed to being obeyed without question. He ended the call abruptly, sliding the phone into his pocket before glancing up at the glowing holiday manor.

A faint smile played at the corner of his lips. Finally.

He grabbed the bags from the trunk, each one meticulously packed with gifts for his children—and for her. Snowflakes dusted his salt-and-pepper hair as he climbed the stairs and pushed the heavy oak door open. Warmth enveloped him immediately, the scent of pine, cinnamon, and wood smoke filling the air. It was welcoming, but the atmosphere thrummed with anticipation.

Inside, Elissa was curled on the couch, her tablet balanced on her lap, her piercing green eyes flicking up as Cassian entered. Despite her usual air of aloofness, there was a spark of curiosity in her expression—a spark she tried to mask with disinterest.

"Dad," she greeted, her tone flat but not unfriendly.

"Elissa," Cassian replied smoothly, shrugging off his coat and hanging it with practiced precision. He stepped further into the room, his sharp gaze sweeping over the space, instinctively checking every corner.

"Did you bring her?" Elissa asked, a slight edge of excitement creeping into her voice despite her best efforts to remain composed.

"She's here," Cassian said simply, his tone unreadable, though a flicker of satisfaction danced in his eyes.

Before Elissa could press further, Brandon strode in from the hallway, his phone still in hand. "Yeah, yeah, have the contract finalized by the time I'm back. I don't care if it's Christmas Eve—make it happen." He ended the call with a sharp tap and turned his attention to Cassian, a faint smirk curling his lips.

"You're early," Brandon said, setting down the stack of presents he was carrying and giving Cassian a quick, firm handshake.

"No traffic," Cassian replied smoothly.

Brandon glanced toward Elissa. "She's here?"

"She is," Cassian confirmed, his voice quiet but weighted.

Brandon's grin widened slightly. "Good. About time."

Cassian's jaw tightened as he glanced toward the staircase. His mind was already racing, anticipating what was to come. He had planned every detail of this—carefully, methodically, leaving nothing to chance. It had been weeks since he'd ordered her husband's death, making it look like an accident. Weeks since he'd arranged for her "relocation" to his holiday home, under the pretense of ensuring her safety.

His children had accepted it easily. After all, they'd heard about her for years—stories he'd told them about the woman he loved, the one he'd always envisioned as their stepmother. To them, this wasn't a kidnapping. It was the natural conclusion to their father's obsession.

The sound of approaching footsteps on the staircase pulled his attention. He turned, his heart pounding in a way it hadn't in years.

She appeared at the top of the stairs, her expression a mixture of fear and defiance, her wrists still bearing faint marks from the restraints used during her journey here. Cassian's breath caught for the briefest moment as he took her in—the person he had risked everything for.

"Welcome home," he said softly, his voice carrying an almost tender warmth that contrasted with the cold steel of his gaze.

Elissa sat up straighter, her excitement poorly concealed. "Hi! You must be the one Dad's told us so much about," she said, her tone surprisingly kind.

Brandon stepped forward, extending a hand as though greeting an old friend. "It's nice to finally meet you. We've been looking forward to this."

Cassian stayed rooted in place, watching the scene unfold with a careful eye. He had orchestrated every moment to perfection, but he knew that she was no pawn. She was fire and resolve, and he would have to earn her acceptance.

"You're safe here," he said finally, his voice low but firm. "No one will hurt you. Not ever again." His gaze locked with hers, unflinching and intense. He stepped closer, his presence magnetic and commanding. "I know you're angry. You have every right to be. But this is where you belong—with me, with us."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "I'll give you time to adjust, but make no mistake—this is your home now. And I will do whatever it takes to prove to you that you belong here."

He reached out, his hand brushing lightly against hers before pulling away, a rare gesture of restraint. For now, all he could do was wait. Wait for her to understand that everything he had done—every ruthless, calculated move—was for her.