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"A surprise. I know you're surprised. Daniel dropped me off." I pull her into my arms again and smother her and myself with how tight we're hugging.
"I'm shocked. I love it. Come sit." I usher her into a sofa and swing Lucian into my lap, where he wraps his hand around my neck.
"Where's Xander?" She asks. I shuffle uncomfortably on my seat, and she clocks the movement. He'd gone to work. And he hadn't said it, but I'd known something was wrong.
Something he wasn't telling me.
"He's at Amory Corps. He'll be home before dinner. He'll be so glad to see you." I lie through gritted teeth.
Gianna rolls her eyes, and even I can hear her suck at her teeth. "I know Xander, Mel. The last person he'll be glad to sit at dinner with is me."
"Not true." I laugh. "I'm sure there are worse companions for dinner than a beautiful woman like yourself."
"Which he won't notice because you'll be at that table yourself." She teases.
I wave my hand, but my heart trips in my chest. "Oh, let's not talk about him. How's Montenegro been? Papi?'
Papi was the man who lived on the compound with us. He ran security for us and dealt with most of the locals that we couldn't deal with. I've missed him.
"He's fine. Sends his regards along with his recriminations. Why haven't you called?"
I shrug. "I'm heart sick. If that makes sense."
She nods and sighs, relaxing into the chair. "I didn't want to leave." She swings a finger in the air back and forth. "Be glad I love you."
I place my hand against my chest and smile at a bouncing Lucian before turning to her. "Trust me. I'm ever grateful for that. Where's Daniel?"
"Went in for a meeting with dad, and then on to work. I've really missed you, Sissy. It's so good to be back."
"I've missed you too. Lots and lots." Lucian snuggles into me, and I sniffle gently.
"Now let's talk. How are things with Xander?"
I take a look at Hailey and place Lucian on the ground. "Do you want to go get chocolate with Hailey?"
He nods and runs over to her. She leads him out of the room and I wonder how she can stay so silent most of the time.
It's worrying because I have no idea how she feels about being here. But Gianna is here, so I return my attention to her.
I walk the distance to her and sink onto her own couch, my eyes on the view outside. It's a picture of nature with trees stationary in the heat outside.
"Better than I thought it could be." I bring my eyes back to hers and zero in on the probe in hers.
"Are you hiding the bruises? You can be honest with me, you know.".
I shake my head no and chuckle. "I swear he hasn't hit me, and I can't believe I have to say that to begin with. Xander would never hurt me."
"I know."
"He's taken it better than I expected he would. We're down to a few angry looks, at least. He's been open, and we've talked."
Gianna's eyes widen. "Xander talked? He's not mad? He didn't bring down the roof? I'm shocked."
I am too. And it had been my experience. Since the night when he'd returned and refused to take me in the shower, he hadn't been with me since. Not even a touch.
Three days later, I was yearning for even a touch, and he hadn't given me that. He comes home these days early enough to have time with Lucian, and then he would be in bed immediately.
I lead Lucian up to bed unless he takes him up himself. Then he would shower and fall into bed, either to read or lie awake, just staring at the ceiling.
