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Scott looks around the closet before shaking his head. “You like it here because he’s made you think he’s some great guy when he’s not.”
I wring my hands together. From everything I’ve seen, Xavier seems pretty great to me. Besides all the bargaining to get me and keeping me as a collateral thing. Other than those things—totally in the past, right?
“That’s not true. He saved us. He’s been good to me. Really good to me.” My cheeks warm.
“Keeping you as a prisoner is good to you?”
I still don’t understand that. Maybe he’s lonely, too. I don’t know why. A man like Xavier should have women falling all over him. I’ve never even asked if he was with anyone else. I’m going to guess he’s not married, because he’s here every night. Where does he go when he leaves here?
“Laura,” Scott snaps.
“I want to stay. I’ll talk to Xavier. I’m sure he’ll work something out about the money.”
Scott closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I didn't want to show you this, but you’ve given me no other choice.” He pulls out his phone and turns it my way. My hand flies over my mouth, and I close my eyes. It’s a picture of the man from yesterday, the one who was flirting with me, and he’s definitely dead. It looked like someone used him as a punching bag.
“You’re not the only girl.”
I shake my head, not believing the words coming from my brother. There can’t be others. The way Xavier looks at me says so. He’d know it would hurt me, and Xavier never hurts me. He protects me from everyone that tries to.
“Really, Laura? You don’t think he doesn't have a few mistresses?”
“I’ll ask him.” I take a step back.
“He’s got you.” Scott looks around the closet again. “You’re like a shiny new toy to him that he doesn’t want to take out of the package.”
I bite my bottom lip, because that didn't sound terrible. Doesn't that mean he thinks I’m priceless? That he wants me untouched unless it’s by his hands alone? Hedoescall me precious. Or am I just making excuses? My eyes start to sting and water.
“Let me talk to him, Scott. Maybe he can explain what—”
Scott shakes his head. “He’s not a good man, Laura.”
“But he saved us.”
“No he didn't. It was all staged.” He runs a hand down his face. “I don’t know how he did it, but he did. He made sure I got in deep so he could come in and save the day. He’s the reason we were in that room. The reason you were scared out of your mind and making deals with slimy men.”
I close my eyes as I remember being back there. That room. The saw. A chill runs up my spine, my throat going tight. I’d never been so scared in my life. Xavier wouldn't do that to me. Would he? Had he wanted me so badly that he’d gone through with this elaborate plan?
“Laura, Xavier controls all the bookies in this town. He had the power to clear my debt with nothing more than a word. He didn’t need you for collateral. HeownsFat Tommy.”
I don’t tell my brother he’s wrong. Because the more I think about it, the more it falls into place, to my horror. It’s too much of a coincidence that Xavier asked me out so many times and then this all happened. He was there to save the day. He got me to offer myself. But not untilafterI thought they were going to kill my brother and then me. I’d thought about the coincidence when I first got here, but the longer I was with Xavier, I couldn't believe he’d do that to me.
“We don’t have much time. He’ll be back soon.” Scott holds his hand out to me again.
A tear rolls down my cheek. How pathetic am I that I still want to stay? My mom really did a job on me. The first time someone gives me attention, and I take it no matter what. I know I can’t stay. I won’t ever be able to trust him. He’s a good actor. I’ll never know what’s real and what’s fake. I take Scott's hand this time.
My heart breaks more with each step I take away from Xavier. So much for him never hurting me.
20
XAVIER
“This isn’t a fucking joke, Cain.” I keep my tone level, despite the fact I’d like to break his neck. “Henley is just a symptom of the disease you’ve brought into my organization.” I lean across my desk, glaring at him. “And he came back here to kill me.” The thought of him harming Laura, of her possibly being in the line of fire, sets my rage alight all over again.
“You killed him. I’m not sure what else you’d like me to do about it.” Cain’s tone is just as even as mine.
“Dispose of him. Inform his family and his connections of what went down.”
