Page 94 of King of Ruin

She almost did.

Almost.

Instead, she quietly closed the small distance between them. Her hand lifted on instinct, resting lightly against his forearm before she realized what she was doing. She hesitated for the briefest second but didn't pull away this time.

"Just finish college first," she said softly, her voice gentler than it had been throughout their entire conversation. "Graduate, find your footing, and when you're ready to move out..." A faint smile tugged at her lips despite herself. "...I promise I'll help you."

Logan searched her face, looking for any sign that she was only trying to pacify him. Whatever he found seemed to ease some of the resistance in his expression.

"...Alright."

The word came reluctantly.

"I'll leave... for now."

A small nod escaped Elise.

"Good."

She withdrew her hand and took a step back, once again putting the familiar distance between them.

"Get home safely," she reminded him, slipping effortlessly back into her usual composed demeanor. "And send me a message when you get there."

Logan sighed, gave her one last reluctant nod, and turned toward the parking lot.

Elise remained where she was, watching him walk away without calling after him. Her expression barely changed, but the faint line between her brows never disappeared. She didn't move until he climbed into his car and the engine came to life. Only after the taillights disappeared beyond the exit did she quietly release the breath she'd been holding.

Smoothing an invisible wrinkle from her dress, she turned toward the yacht.

She had barely taken a few steps before the strange sensation of being watched settled over her.

Her pace slowed.

When she looked up, her eyes met Xavier's.

His tall frame outlined beneath the lights spilling from the yacht. One hand rested casually inside the pocket of his tailored trousers while the other hung at his side, but there was nothing casual about the way he looked at her. His gaze never wavered, fixed on her with such quiet intensity that it made her chest tighten.

Elise offered him a faint smile, hoping it would ease whatever was troubling him, then continued walking toward the yacht. As she came alongside him, intending to pass without saying anything, a firm hand suddenly closed around her wrist.

The unexpected grip brought her to an immediate stop.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Xavier gave a sharp pull, drawing her back until she was standing directly in front of him. She lifted her head in confusion, a loose strand of hair falling across her cheek as she searched his face.

"What is it?" she asked gently.

He didn't answer right away.

Instead, he studied her in silence, his eyes moving over her face as though searching for an answer she hadn't spoken aloud. Then one dark brow lifted.

"Who was that?"

She blinked. "Who?"

"The man." His voice remained even, but the controlled calm only made it more intimidating. "Who were you talking to?"

Realization softened her expression.

"Oh." A small smile touched her lips. "He's no one important."