Fall with me

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📖 Until You Beg

Chapter Twelve – Fall With Me

By Peace Lovie

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Cassian stood in front of the penthouse window, shirt half-buttoned, whiskey in hand.

He hadn't slept.

Hadn't answered her calls.

But when Zariah opened the door without knocking, he didn't flinch.

He just turned slowly—like he'd been waiting for this.

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"I saw Luca," she said.

Cassian's eyes darkened.

"I know."

"He said you're willing to go down for me."

A pause.

Then softly, "I am."

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Zariah stepped forward, fire in her blood.

"Why?"

His jaw clenched. His fingers wrapped tighter around the glass.

"Because I love you."

It wasn't loud. It wasn't pretty.

It was honest. Brutal. Terrifying.

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Zariah didn't blink.

"Then why did you use me? Why did you forge my name? Why did you lie?"

Cassian didn't move.

"Because I was afraid you'd leave."

"You should've let me leave," she snapped.

"You tried," he said quietly. "But you stayed."

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The silence stretched.

Zariah's hands were shaking, but her voice was steel.

"I don't want half-truths, Cassian. I don't want power games. If you want me, it has to be real."

"It is real."

"Then prove it."

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Cassian stepped forward.

Close. Too close.

"You want proof?"

Zariah didn't move.

"I want choice."

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He stared at her like she was the edge of a cliff he'd already jumped off.

Then, slowly, he pulled something from his jacket.

A file.

He handed it to her.

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Inside: a complete report on her father's final deal. Real names. Dates. Money flow.

And at the center of it—Cassian's signature.

"Luca didn't kill your father," he said. "I did."

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Zariah froze.

The room went quiet.

Her ears rang.

"What…?"

"He wasn't just laundering money. He was selling weapons. Children were dying. He crossed a line."

Zariah's throat closed.

"You said you loved him—"

"I did. And I hated him. Just like I love you. And fear you."

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She stepped back.

He let her.

"You killed my father…"

"I ended him before he could destroy more lives. I've never asked for forgiveness. I won't start now."

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Zariah's hands dropped to her sides.

Trembling.

But something inside her—cold and sharp—stood tall.

"You should've told me."

"I was going to. When you were ready."

"And who decides that?" she hissed. "You?"

"I was protecting you."

"No. You were protecting you. From losing control."

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Cassian's eyes burned.

"I've already lost it," he said. "The moment I touched you."

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Zariah looked down at the file again.

Her entire life had been built on lies. But this truth?

This one broke something inside her… and built something new.

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"You said you'd fall for me," she whispered. "Then fall."

Cassian stepped closer.

"I already have."

She shook her head.

"No more secrets. No more power plays. If we do this… it's as equals."

He nodded.

"I'll burn the whole empire if that's what it takes."

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She held his gaze.

And then—finally—she moved.

Pressed her hand to his chest.

His heart thundered.

Hers matched it.

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Zariah leaned in close.

"If you ever lie to me again," she whispered, "I'll kill you myself."

He smiled faintly.

"Fair."

And then she kissed him.

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But this kiss wasn't soft.

It wasn't gentle.

It was war.

And Cassian surrendered.

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Hours later, Zariah stood in front of the mirror, Cassian asleep behind her.

She looked different.

Harder. Smarter. Stronger.

Not the girl who ran from pain.

Not the girl seeking revenge.

This woman…?

She was dangerous.

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Her phone lit up.

A text from Elias.

> "Luca's moving tomorrow. You need to be ready."

Zariah smiled.

She was.

Because if they wanted to destroy her and Cassian?

They'd have to survive her first.

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