Page 54 of King of Ruin

Logan, her brother's young, familiar voice came through immediately, carrying his usual confidence.

"I'm downstairs. Come on, let's have lunch together."

Elise's eyes moved toward Xavier without thinking.

He was standing right in front of her, watching her silently.

She turned slightly away, lowering her voice as she replied, "I already have plans."

Her tone remained polite but firm, hoping that would be enough to end the conversation.

Xavier’s attention remained entirely focused on her, his dark eyes following every small change in her expression as shelistened. The longer the call continued, the more his brows drew together, and a faint tension appeared along his jaw.

Then, without warning, he stepped closer.

Elise felt his presence before she fully registered his movement.

Her eyes lifted in surprise as the distance between them disappeared, his tall figure now standing directly beside her.

Xavier lowered himself slightly, his head dipping toward her shoulder as he leaned closer to the phone in her hand.

The gesture was so unexpected that Elise simply stared at him.

Was he actually listening?

Her lips parted slightly in disbelief.

For a man who appeared so detached and dangerous in front of everyone else, he was shamelessly eavesdropping like a jealous boyfriend.

He didn't even look embarrassed.

When her eyes met his, Xavier merely looked back at her with complete composure, as though there was nothing unusual about standing this close and openly trying to hear her conversation.

Elise held his gaze for a moment before silently resisting the urge to sigh.

She didn't push him away.

Instead, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, subtly attempting to create some space between them, though his closeness made the effort almost pointless. His shoulder brushed near hers, and his presence surrounded her completely.

Logan's voice sounded again through the phone.

"If you already have plans, then I'll join you. We can still have lunch together."

Elise closed her eyes briefly.

A quiet sigh slipped past her lips.

Of course.

She should have known he wouldn't give up that easily.

"No..." she started, already feeling the beginning of a headache forming.

Before Logan could respond, Elise lifted her free hand and rubbed lightly at her forehead, her fingertips lingering against her temple as she searched for what little patience she had left.

"I'm coming down in a minute."

The words left her with obvious reluctance.