Chapter 20

Twenty

XAVIER

Ifucked up.

There. That wasn’t so bad. I admitted it. Through gritted teeth and hands wrapped around the steering wheel as I barrel out to the countryside. Dead of night. Perfect time for me.

Maybe it wasn’t a fuckup. What if this is all her fault for being so fucking amazing. For tempting me. And like a Medusa, tangling her vanilla scent with all my linens while her gentle embers burn against the cold steel of my heart. Slowly, she’s melting me until all that will be left is an iron resolve to do everything for her.

And that starts by staying away.

If I can just figure out what is best for her without being near her, then maybe there’s a chance I won’t hurt her. My plan has been derailed…because of love. Why didn’t I see this as my own downfall? How can I change course now?

I need time. Space away from the pine green of her interrogating eyes and her innocence that’s oh-so easy to rupture. She willingly gives it over. And I have been dying to corrupt it, destroy it.

Now I want to preserve it.

I think I’m the best and worst person in her life. Her father told me to stay away and, despite wanting to give him the Devon Hall treatment, I won’t. For her sake.

As much as it kills me to part from her, it’s safest if I stand on the outskirts. At least until I can get more information.

Punching a few buttons on the navigation screen, I bring up the number I want on the dash of the SUV.

“X? What’s good, man?” Charley seems surprised I called.

“It’s been weeks and I’m parched for information. Do you have anything more than last time?”

His hefty sigh peaks the speakers over my head. “X? I don’t think you’ll like what I have to say…”

Clenching my jaw, I tell him, “Go on…”

“I-I don’t think he did it, boss. I think you’re hunting down the wrong trail.”

Snapping at him, I twist the wheel as I head out on the lane toward the cabin. “Then who helped him? Huh, Charley? There were two shovels. Two. You saw the picture.”

“I did,” he says quietly, like his word is an explanation.

“Well?”

“Give me a bit more time. I just need like a week at most. But X? So far, his alibi is firm. There’s no way he was there. I’m sorry. It was someone else.”

Sucking on my cheeks, I nod as if he can see me. “You have a week. I need answers. That’s what I pay you for.” Punching the screen, I end the call.

If it wasn’t him, who was it? I think it’s time for me to visit an old enemy. Except, I have a feeling I can get him to confess his accomplice.

As I pull into the drive, I park the car and pull out my phone. After a few rings, an annoyingly familiar voice answers, heavy with a thick Northeastern accent.

“Xavier Cardell! I didn’t think I’d hear from you again so soon. What can I do you for? Was my man not good enough?”

Unlocking the front door, I shoulder it open and kick it back closed. “Tony, I need you again…” When the job needs done, he seems to be the one to call.

And while I figure this out, traveling away from Northview, I’ll have to rely on my cameras and other spies to look out for my girl. My chest squeezes, hoping she’ll still be willing to be with me once this is over. If I tell her what I’m up to, it will crush her before I get the truth. Better to disappear and wait until I know for sure. One way or another.

A laugh escapes my lips. What am I thinking? If she’s willing… Like that matters.

I’ll never let her go.