8. Saoirse

8

SAOIRSE

L ate night," Gage says as I enter the house. It's nearly six a.m. and he's sitting at the kitchen table, spinning his favorite switch blade around.

Quietly , I snuck out of Xavier's bed this morning, careful not to wake him.

" Yeah ." I'm still exhausted and the long drive home didn't make it better. I just want to lay down and knock out for a bit before work tonight.

" How's it going with Xavier ?"

" Good . I've got him right where I want him." I place the Rolex I took from his dresser on the table, ignoring the slight unease I feel.

He picks it up and smiles. " Atta girl, Sersh . What's his place like?"

" It's big. Takes up four floors of a building that he owns. No one else is even there."

" Damn , living large. We aren't going to be able to smash a window to get in then. Can you get me a key?"

I nod, grabbing myself a cup. " There's a key fob to enter, but I'll look around next time. He must have a spare. There's security on the ground floor, though."

" We'll figure it out," he replies, unfazed. " When are you going to see him again?"

" I don't know." I shrug, chugging a glass of water.

" Maybe you should figure that out."

I squint at him. " I've got a handle on it. Don't worry."

When I walk past him, he tuts. " Aren't you forgetting something?"

I don't have to think twice. I back up a few steps, lean down, and kiss him.

" I missed you last night," he whispers.

I stand straight. " Well , you shouldn't have."

I hear his deep laugh as I walk to my own room. That was my one request when we got this house. I needed my space to decompress. A place that was just for me.

Gage never put up a fight about it and for that, I'm thankful.

Just as I close my door, my phone buzzes in my bag.

Xavier: Why'd you sneak out?

Me: I didn't sneak. I left.

Xavier: You could have woken me up.

Me: It wasn't necessary.

Xavier: After last night… yeah, I think it was.

Xavier: What are you doing tomorrow night?

I hate the small flutter of excitement I feel at the words on my screen. He's a mark, nothing else . For fuck's sake, I stole from him this morning.

There's no chance of there ever being anything more. He isn't as much of a chore to be around as the others, and the sex was phenomenal, but none of that matters. His time will be up soon enough, and when it is, he'll realize that Nyx was only a figment of his imagination.

Me: Working. Why?

Xavier: I have a function to attend and wanted to know if you'd like to accompany me.

Me: What time is it at?

Xavier: 8 p.m. It'll probably run late, so you can spend the night at mine as long as you promise not to run off in the morning.

I mull over my options. It wouldn't be an issue to skip my shift. Any of the girls at the club would gladly take my place. At the same time, Friday nights are a gold mine. I would be giving up a decent amount of cash if I decide to bail.

But it might be worth it if it gets Xavier to trust me more.

Me: Okay, I'll go.

Xavier: I'll pick you up at noon.

Me: I thought you said the event was at 8. And I'm perfectly capable of driving myself.

Xavier: I know. I need to pick up my suit and we can get you something to wear as well.

Me: You want to take me shopping? What kind of party is this?

I lay down on my bed, desperately wanting to shut my eyes.

Xavier: A charity gala. Consider the new dress a gift for coming with me to what is sure to be a boring gathering.

My lips spread into a smile, and I force my face to relax. This is standard for men like him, nothing to kick my feet over. I've seen it all before.

Me: Okay.

Xavier: I'll see you at 12, hurricane.

I place my phone down on the nightstand and roll onto my side.

He's just like any other man. But why do I feel like the person I'm lying to is myself.

" Your ride's here," Gage calls out.

" Get the fuck away from the window! Are you crazy?" I chastise him as I hurry down the hall with my small overnight bag. I need to get out of here fast. The last thing I need is for Xavier to decide he wants to come inside, forcing me to explain Gage's presence.

I bend over, sliding on my shoes, and Gage taps me on the ass. " Have fun. Hope it's worth our while."

" It always is," I say with a smile and then exit the house.

I peer into the car and see Xavier's handsome face. He hasn't shaved and stubble lines his chin, making him look less polished and more rugged. I force myself to frown as I open the door. When I sit down, I cue the waterworks.

The ability to cry on demand has proven to be quite handy over the last few years.

Immediately , the smile that was on his face turns into a look of concern. " What's the matter?"

" Nothing . I'm sorry," I mutter, making a show of wiping away the tears from my eyes as I force more to appear.

" It's obviously not nothing. Why are you crying? I know I said the event would be boring, but not tear inducing."

I let out a shaky chuckle. " It's just that…" I glance out the window dramatically. " You know how I said that I wasn't close with my mother?"

He nods, a saddened look on his face. " Well , she called me this morning."

" How did that go?"

" Not good. She's sick and can't afford treatment. I don't know what to do. I don't make enough to help her and support myself. I could sell my car, but even then…"

He takes my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him. I knew this kind of play would work on him the second he brought up his estranged son. I could see just how much family mattered to him, and this is what I do best: find the spots where these men are most vulnerable and use it against them.

" How much do you need?" he asks, not an ounce of suspicion in his gaze.

" I'm not sure, but it'll be upwards of one hundred fifty thousand. I don't have that kind of money, and I know we aren't close, but I don't want her to die."

" I'll give it to you."

Got him.

" Are you insane?" I exclaim. " I can't take that kind of money from you!"

" You can and you will. If it'll help your mother, then it's the least I can do."

" It's too much."

" I'm not trying to sound like a dick here, but for me, it really isn't. I'll have it handled today."

" Thank you," I say, keeping my tone soft as I wipe the last of my tears.

" Anytime , hurricane. Maybe this situation will bring you two closer together."

We're still parked outside, and I look out the window at the tree's blowing in the wind.

" Yeah , maybe." Not a chance.

" Do you still want to go tonight?"

" Yeah , I could use something to get my mind off everything."

His smile is bright and genuine as he turns the car back on. " Then let's get my little storm a dress."

Quickly , I type out a message on my phone.

Me: Keep an eye on the account today ;)

Gage: What did you do?

A pang of guilt stabs at my chest as we pull onto the highway, but I push it away.

This is what you do.

This is who you are.