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“He won’t kill you.” He jerks his head over to look at me.
“What makes you say that?” Somehow, I already know Xavier wouldn’t harm me in the physical sense. He’d already broken my heart, so I don’t have to worry about that. My concern is more for Scott once Xavier figures out I’m missing. But I don’t say that to him. I have to hope that whatever Xavier felt for me was enough to keep Scott alive.
“I think it’s pretty fucking clear Xavier will do just about anything to get his hands on you.”
“But he didn’t hurt me. Except that first night when he scared me. He won’t hurt you, because he’ll know it’ll upset me.”
“He wouldn't tell you, Laura. You think men like Xavier get to where they are by announcing all the dirty deeds they’ve done? He knows I’ll keep trying to save you from him. Trust me. He’s going to want me dead.”
I look down at my cold hands.
“Don’t make him into something he’s not. He puts on a good show. Remember that.”
Scott’s right. Xavier set my brother up and then kidnapped me. I have to keep reminding myself that Xavier wasn’t who he seemed to be.
I think I’m most upset at myself. I’m so desperate for love that I’m trying to make up excuses for a very bad man. I turn back to look out the window, my eyes stinging with tears. I don’t want to cry.
“I’m sorry I got you into this.” I hate the quaver in my voice.
“This isn't your doing.”
“It kind of is.” If it wasn't for me, this wouldn't be happening. Xavier not only went after my weakness, but he went after Scott’s too.
“It doesn't matter. It’s time for a new start.” He tries to make his tone light. I’m not so sure it will be that easy. How can you have a new start when you don’t have a penny to your name? When you can’t even go to your home to retrieve the only belongings you do have? I have no doubt that we can’t use our real names.
Somehow, I know that Xavier will leave no stone unturned to find me. And with all the money, power, and connections that man has, it seems as if the odds are really stacked against us this time. I think we’re all but screwed.
He’s going to find us. It’s inevitable.
“Fuck.” I hear my brother shout before bright lights blind me, and my world explodes. The sound of crushing metal and shattering glass fills my ears as the world spins before everything goes dark.
“Xavier.” I breathe his name as I try to open my eyes. They're so heavy. I touch my pounding forehead and feel something warm and wet as I finally get my eyes to open. Only to see bright lights shining on my blood-coated fingers. How could I feel colder than before?
“Run. Xavier found us,” Scott chokes out. His eyes are still closed. “Run, Laura.”
I unclick my seatbelt and try to get to him.
“Scott. Look at me,” I demand, but his head drops forward. I scream his name as I get out of the car so that I can go around to the driver's side to help him. I’m unsteady on my feet, but that’s not what stops me. I look up to see a man I’ve never seen before.
“I’m starting to see why there is so much trouble over one little girl.” The man’s accent is so thick I almost don’t understand what he says. “Put her into the trunk. Leave that one. He’ll let Xavier know who was here.” He pushes me into another man who smells of whiskey.
I try and fight, but my head pounds as spots dance in my eyes.
“She’s feisty.”
I scream when he throws me over his shoulder, my head wanting to explode as he carries me off. I tell myself to fight, but I can barely get myself to move now. He drops me hard into something. I stare up to see three men in suits who are all talking. I don’t know if my head is pounding so hard that I’m confused or if they aren't speaking English.
“Don’t stop screaming. I like the sound,” the one in the middle says. I think it’s the one who picked me up.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy yours, too,” I grit out. The smile on his face drops away as he reaches for me, and the sounds of gunfire fill the air.
22
XAVIER
Something inside me breaks apart when I see the wreck. It’s all happening too fucking fast. The Russians didn’t waste any time. That prick Henley must’ve alerted them about Laura before I ended his game of wannabe gangster.
“Fuck!” I can’t do anything except will my car to go faster despite the pedal being on the floor.
