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"Don't talk to me like you know me," Daken growled, fingers balling into fists. His claws would be out if it wasn't for that control collar around his neck.
"But sweetheart, I do know you," Cassie replied softly, unshaken by his anger. "Because you are every bit your father. And I know him very well."
Daken snarled, mocking, "He's not my 'father'. Romulus was more a father than he ever was."
Cassie's eyes flashed. "Romulus was nothing but psychotic wannabe who thought his time was best spent torturing an orphan child!"
"You don't know what he did to me!"
"I know enough!"
Tension crackled in the air but both fell silent, glaring through the clear wall.
"You know nothing," Daken finally hissed.
"I know you," she murmured. "Because I know James."
"Don't call him that!" the man snapped, shoulders hunched in rage.
"Why shouldn't I?" Cassie retorted arrogantly. "That's his name, isn't it? James. But you don't like that. Because you don't know James. You can't hate James. You only hate Logan - this man you've built up in your head as an enemy."
"He IS my enemy!" Daken shouted, getting fed up with this stupid woman.
"He loves you!" The woman matched his volume.
"Bullshit!"
"Why won't you accept this?" Cassie cried, frustrated, as Daken yelled over her, "Why won't you leave me alone?"
More silence as Cassie pushed the heel of her palm into the center of her brow, trying to relieve the headache this man had given her.
"Because I love you," she finally sighed.
The words were forced out through gritted teeth. "You. Don't. Know. Me."
"But I know him. And I love him. You are a part of him, like it or not, so I love you, too." Cassie looked sincere, eyes wet but she wasn't crying. "Like it or not."
"Not."
She bristled. "Doesn't change a damn thing. You're still down here, alone in a basement; locked in a cage. At least try to appreciate the company."