Chapter 38 Fit For A Princess

After the challenging week that we have had, there is no greater joy than seeing the happiness on my princess' face. I can safely say that she has never had or have been given anything like this. And now, more than ever, I need to make sure that she is safe. I want to give her security, and I am sure that these four walls will provide her with just that.
It is hard to understand that two friends, Joseph, and my father, started an empire together and should, for all purposes, have lived the same lifestyle; in fact, they did. But what breaks my heart is that Cassandra lacks everything that she rightfully deserves. And I am not referring to wealth; I am talking about a loving family. Even though my father turned out to be what he is, we still had love in the family. She has been used for the benefit of her father.
And every part of me glows with happiness; the sheer joy on her face takes my breath away. She is far more beautiful when she holds this smile on her face. I can confidently say that I know when she is happy or sad, but I have no idea which tears she is crying. So it is with these tears in her eyes that she turns to face me with a stuttering voice.
"You are crazy."
"Geez, thank you, here I thought I was going to get thanks and even a kiss."
"You can't give me this; what happens if I fight with you? ThenI must kick you out?"
"Then I won't make you cross. So do you like it?"
She launches into my arms, and I can safely say by the squealing and the giggles that she is happy. Yes, this is a very first for Christian Caine; he just bought a house for the woman he loves. If I cannot go to her, then she comes to me, and right now, I am the only one she has.
Then, I lift her off her feet and throw her over my shoulder. I do believe I have it wrong, but where is the fun in that. Hey, maybe I am practicing, whichever, I am carrying her over this threshold, I do not care if she puts on a fight. And boy, does she put on a fight? She kicks and screams, and we are not even at the front door yet.
"You know you are doing it wrong, and we are not even married."
"Now, there is an idea."
"Scrap that one from your head."
"Hahaha. Ya, I don't think I am that crazy yet."
As I step through the door with her hanging over my shoulders, I am excited about what our new life will bring. I only wish that things started on a different foot, but if this foot got me here, I would gladly take that step again.
...Cassandra POV...
So Christian has gone and bought me a house, I mean a real damn mansion! This man must be pretty crazy. It is amazing; it is not like that ugly white shitty one his father has. The place has more glass windows that I have ever seen in my life, three floors of just glass.
And while his silly ass carries me over his shoulder, I struggle to decide if I should stare at his ass or the place. But as soon as we step inside, he gently places me on the floor again. And, fück, the inside is even more spectacular than the outside.
"Fuck Christian."
"Yes, that will happen shortly."
"Please lay it down for me?"
"Six bedrooms."
"Shit, why so many?"
"We will come to that. But then there is an insane kitchen, which, lucky for you; I can cook."
"Yes, cooking is not one of my skill sets."
He laces his fingers between mine and leads me to one of the two bars. We take a seat at this strangely fully stocked bar. He must have had this one up his sleeve while he was out saving me from my family.
We both take one quick shot as we drink on a crazy day and a brand new life. I can see the very same joy that my heart feels on his face. In a way, this, us, is going to make up for what broke his heart today. I can see the tears want to creep up now and again, but he is getting good at hiding them...too good.
After several moments in silence, he pours us another whiskey. We slowly sip on it while he carries on to shock me...
"Then there is a relatively large dining room, not that we currently have a family. Next to that is the sitting room, maybe two."
"Are you planning to entertain the pope?"
"Hahaha. But wait, I am not finished yet, there is the study which will become my office. A pool house, bar, and room.
"Please don't tell me there is more? What are we going to do with ourselves in a place as big as this?"
"There is this thing..."
I am not going to like this; if he starts his sentence like that, I know it is trouble. He has done something or is about to. But as well as I know him, it is something he already did.
"Out with it, Mr. Caine."
"What happened to baby?"
"I can sense you have been a bad boy, so for now, you shall be Mr. Caine."
"Well, the thing is, four of those bedrooms have people kind of sleeping in them."
"Fuck, are there people already living in here?"
"I love it when you are dumb...No...I mean so stupid...Fuck!"
Now he has his foot in it. I know where this is going, but it will make me feel important if he discusses it first. I know he has made his decision; I could still change it for him. But I will let the man sweat a bit.
"Let us look past the fact that you called me dumb and discuss how four bedrooms of our house already have people in them."
...Christian POV...
I kind of did put my foot into that one. Yes, I should have discussed this with her before, but I am open to change my mind. In the whole scheme of things, it is only Cassandra that matters.
"So Damian, Leo, Mason, and Jax are moving in. That is if you are happy with it."
"Explain to me why some of your crew is moving in with us. And what about Micah and Logan?"
"Well, first of all, Micah and Logan work for my dad."
"Then, the rest?"
"I need Mason to look after you."
"I do not need a baby sitter."
And here we go; I knew that she is not going to like it. She is an independent woman, and yes, she can handle a gun, but the men that will come after is much faster and far more ruthless. I need to know she is safe every minute that I am away from her. I cannot always be here, but Mason can. I trust Mason with my life; he will take a bullet for Cassandra if he had to.
...Just then, my phone buzzes...
It is the one and only Mason; I told them I would give them the word to come. He should know better than being impatient. So I ignore the message and carry on to explain why I need the boys here with me.
"Princess, it is for your safety; he is not going to be in your face; he will be home when you are home..."
...Then she interrupts me...
"Say that again?"
"He will be with you all the time, but not..."
"No, say that word again."
"What word?"
"Home."
"Princess."
I pull her off her chair and pull her into the comfort of my chest. Her little heart is still pumping fast. Her gorgeous brown eyes are cheerful, but behind them, there is immense sadness. She needs this just as much as I do. We both had our disappointments today, but we now have each other.
"Everything will be ok, princess."
"It is fine if they come, baby; I was only teasing you."
"Say that word again."
"I was teasing you."
"Hahaha. Now you are teasing me. You know what I am talking about."
"So, what do we do now?"
"You can go check the place out while I phone Mason quickly."
With that, she heads off into the house while I dial Mason.
"Mason, you guys can come."
"Sure, boss, we need to talk. We have a problem."
"Oh god, what now?"
"I will explain; we are ten minutes away."
With a heavy heart, I drop the call; dark stormy clouds have run over the excitement that Cassandra and I felt a few minutes ago. There are a few possibilities as to what Mason is referring to, but one keeps on sticking its ugly head to the surface.
My actions will have consequences, and unfortunately, they are going to affect Cassandra as well. If we can survive this storm, then we can face anything together. Things are about to ugly in a big way, and it is faster than we foresaw.
And in precisely ten minutes, the boys join me at the bar, Cassandra that heard the door, comes to join us. With the look on their faces, I am even frightened to ask.
"So, what is the problem, Mason?"
"It has begun."
"I think I know, but for Cassandra's clarity, please be more specific."
"We have a war on our hands. That Cassandra means, all kinds of shit are going to hit the fan."
"Who?"
"Joseph Cummings. He says, and I "e, 'Tell that fucking Caine he is dead if he does not give back what belongs to me.' But he is only referring to his territory."
"See who is winning the father of the year award. Well, he is a close runner up to my father."
But the worry is not off Mason's face yet. I can see that he is hesitant to tell me. He keeps looking at Cassandra; it either has to do with her or something that he does not want her to hear. What the fuck can be worse than a turf war. I think I did establish that I should not ask that. So now my foot is in it, I might as sink and drown.
"Mason, get out with it. I do not have secrets from Cassandra. Cassandra needs to know everything; she sits by my side. When I am not in here, then she is in charge."
"Joseph said I must tell you to ask your father about your arranged marriage."