I flipped the pancakes effortlessly early in the morning. I didn't leave last night. I could have. But I didn't want to return back to my mansion or my family's.That could wait.

I wanted to savour the simplicity of being here, in the kitchen taking care of my little Flame and her 11 years old son. Elysium.

I still remember the day Little Flame came to me with the news that Clara, a close colleague from work. A Ballerina like her had developed last stage cancer. She was a single mother with a 4 year old Elysium when the news came. Having been disowned by her traditionalist family for pregnancy outside marriage with the father having bailed out. Clara had no one. I tried my best to be there for Clara. And Elysium. Both Little Flame and I employed the best doctors but she didn't make it.

When my little Flame burst into tears while cradling Elysium at her funeral. I knew I would do anything she asked. She was just 22 years old back then. Flourishing in her career as a Ballerina. And yet her selfless nurturing self chose Elysium. So I employed the best lawyers, ensured all paperwork and legal procedures were secured so she got custody of Elysium.

She could have done it herself. She was wealthy too. Having been born into a family where her Spanish mother and French father were both renowned classic literature authors in their own right, Celine De La Cruz was well equipped with the best resources. But I didn't want her to shoulder everything. The grief of losing Clara and all the headaches that came with lawful procedures along with her parents being sceptical about the adoption which was really not helping. I did it for her. Shouldered the weight so she could breathe better.

And now here we were with Elysium thriving happily under both our care. To me, he really was my son. Even if I didn't say it out loud. And I think Elysium saw it like that too.

The little menace took too much joy in knowing I loved him though. I can indulge in 5 year old Elysium wanting to cover my face with stickers but 11? He did it whenever he got the chance purely out of mischief now. He knew I would let him. Even if I looked ridiculous. And he never failed to snap pictures of it just to taunt me.

But the smile on Celine's face and the warmth in Elysium's eyes amidst the mischief was all worth it. What I would give to wake up everyday next to my little Flame, helping her raise Elysium. A permanent anchor for both of them.

Sighing, I plated layers of pancakes drizzling them with just the right amount of honey, berries and whipped cream before carrying it to the dining table alongside Elysium's tea and my little Flame's oat milk latte.

Tormenting myself with a future I couldn't have would only make me lose my sanity.

Celine and I have been best friends since high school. A girl I had protected since I was 17. Back then I was a High School Senior in grade 12th, and she was 13 who by skipping four grades with her cunning mind had entered the 12th grade at that age. There were bullies from other classes picking up on her the day I saw her during break, calling her nerdy, mouse, big head and all despicable things immature brats would call a beautiful cunning girl like her.

So I made it my mission to befriend her knowing I could never have more than that. My father would kill me.

Metaphorically. But it counts.

Because the Guild has survived three generations before me, the pressure on me to follow the rules and Vito's philosophy was immense. I couldn't be with Celine. I knew it back then and I still know it now.

I'm constantly compared to my legendary great-grandfather Vito by my father whenever I fuck up. Any mistake I make doesn't just hurt me. It taints a century-old bloodline.

Add to that the fact that Celine comes from a world of high intellect, prestige, and quiet libraries. A girl raised by literary elites. She definitely had no place in my gritty world.

So I took her under my wing since that day I saw her getting bullied, and no one messed with her from the moment I sat next to her.

Landon, my adopted brother, would always shake his head at me whenever I would talk about her for hours with him saying I was digging my own grave and my friendship with her would only cause trouble. Fucker was just 14 back then and yet he was scolding me like my father.

But then again, Landon always followed everything father said more than I ever did. I listened but not without anger or irritation. Still I hadn't lost my parents as a kid like Landon did. Even to this day I have no idea how his parents died. Gustavo, Landon's father, was my father's right hand and Olivia, Landon's mother was an assassin too, well trained. So I never fathom that one day I would lose Gustavo and Olivia. They were my Godparents. And I loved them.

Father never told me how they died, only that something unfortunate had happened and that consequently, Isabel, Gustavo's best friend had also committed suicide that day after hearing the news of Gustavo's death.

To say I was overwhelmed by the news was an understatement. And I couldn't imagine how Landon took it.

He had brought Landon in after talking to me about what had happened. In a state of shock, no words uttered for days while father did all the paperwork to get custody of Landon. And in just a matter of time, Landon became a Castillo too,my younger brother. Someone I loved and protected, cherished but even then you would question who was the oldest from all the nagging.

He was my Second in Command now. He was currently 30 years old, 3 years younger than me but acted like 60. But I wouldn't change it for anything. He might be a pain in the ass but he was calculated and practical to a fault. No shit. Straight to the point. Not to mention he was stealthy and always executed clean kills without a single fail. Something my father was always proud of. And so was I. He was My Brother. The only partner I could count on in the underworld during assignments. Having him cover my back was reassuring.

From time to time, I still wondered though...How would Landon and I be if we weren't born in a crime family? Would we be happier? More at peace? Free?

Shaking those thoughts off knowing they were pointless, I headed upstairs just about to knock on Elysium's door when he opened it, staring at me amidst messy dark hair and sleepy hazelnut brown eyes. Freshly showered and dressed in a pair of black shorts and a white tank top but he looked nowhere near ready to begin his day.

"Good morning, little lion, how would you sleep?"I asked.

"Fantastic with all the noises you were making in the kitchen on a fine Saturday morning." Elysium grumbled.

Yep. He was still a grumpy sleepyhead.

I bit back a smile and said. "Your pancakes are downstairs, you're welcome"

Elysium's eyes lost all traces of sleep at the promise of food. "You should have started with that. Did I tell you how much I love you, Cas!"He said before walking past me and heading downstairs..

I snorted before heading to my little Flame's room.