Page 64 of King of Ruin

More specifically...

It never left Logan's hand.

The younger man still had hold of Elise's hand as he stood beside her, completely oblivious to the pair of icy eyes watching him. He laughed about something, leaning closer with the easy confidence of someone who belonged in Elise’s personal space. A moment later, he reached out again, brushing an invisible strand of hair away from her face before saying something that earned him an exasperated roll of her eyes.

Xavier's jaw flexed.

The muscle ticked so sharply it was visible beneath his skin.

His fingers tightened around the polished edge of the car door until the tendons stood out beneath the sleeve of his suit jacket.

Without taking his eyes off the pair across the street, he spoke.

"Have you seen him before?"

Benjamin followed his line of sight.

He knew immediately who Xavier was referring to.

"Yes, Mr. Chen."

Xavier remained silent, waiting.

Benjamin chose his words carefully.

"A few times."

The answer caused Xavier's expression to harden another degree.

"He usually comes looking for Ms. Foster after work," Benjamin continued. "Sometimes he waits outside the building. Sometimes she meets him on the sidewalk."

Xavier's eyes never shifted.

"And?"

Benjamin hesitated only briefly.

"Ms. Foster always seems a little startled when he suddenly appears." A faint, cautious smile crossed Benjamin's face as he recalled several similar scenes. "Sometimes she even looks annoyed..."

His eyes returned to Logan, who was now grinning while saying something that made Elise frown at him again.

"...but she always ends up leaving with him."

Silence.

Heavy.

Oppressive.

Xavier watched as Logan reached for Elise's wrist again, playfully tugging her toward the waiting SUV.

His expression remained perfectly composed.

Only the slow tightening of his jaw betrayed what was happening beneath the surface.

Benjamin glanced sideways.

After years of working beside Xavier, he had learned to recognize the signs.