NOAH
Cassian stepped forward, extending a hand to Alex. His smile was perfectly polite, the kind of smile that usually precedes a hostile takeover or a discreet disappearance. "Alex. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't realize Mateo was collecting strays today."
Alex didn't flinch. He shook Cassian's hand firmly, matching that high-octane prick energy with a lazy, effortless grace. "Cassian. Always a pleasure. Although I'm surprised you managed to drag yourself away from… whatever it is you were doing."
Alex's eyes flickered to me, lingering on the way my collar sat a little crookedly. He gave me that knowing look, the one that said he knew exactly why I was walking like I had a stick up my ass (which, technically, I did). "Noah looks well-rested. Must be the Spanish air."
I felt Cassian's jaw tighten. It was a subtle movement, but I was close enough to see the muscle jump. "He's always well taken care of," Cassian said, his voice dropping an octave. "Under my supervision."
