Page 31 of Xavier

Dad taught me when I was a young girl how to lose a tail. He called it preparedness. I called it over protectiveness.

Xavier narrows his eyes at me. “When?”

“Huh? When what?”

“When did you learn how to drive like that?”

I can see the wheels spinning inside his mind, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

Why is any of this important?

“Years and years ago. Before I actually took the driving test and got my driver’s license.”

“Why?”

I let out a huff of breath. His one word questions are annoying as hell.

I shrug. “Probably because my dad was super protective of me and wanted me to be able to take care of myself.”

Xavier glances at Everett’s lifeless body. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“What doesn’t make sense?” I need a little bit more than his cryptic statement.

“None of this. Nothing is adding up. The death threats. Someone tailing you. The murder.”

I chime in. “And don’t forget the attempted kidnapping last night.”

Xavier turns his attention back on me. His eyes are dark, almost black, and full of rage. Thankfully, I know the rage isn’t aimed at me.

Wait, did he say the death threats? What death threats?

Chapter Eight

XAVIER

I’m more confused now than I was twenty years ago, just entering basic training on the very first day.

Why did the mayor teach a child defensive driving? Why would she even need to know that while living in a small town?

Nothing today is adding up. The stories don’t align. The events seem sketchy at best. And it all points back to the mayor.

The truth will come out in the end.

I glance toward the front door, surprised that no one has come yet. “We need to go.”

Brianna scoffs and pours herself another shot. “No, we don’t. We have to call the police and wait for them to get here.”

She needs to get home and get the truth from her father about what is happening, but I can’t tell her that. She won’t believe me.

“I’ll call them and wait for them to arrive. You can leave. Go straight home. My buddy Hudson is there and will be waiting for you.”

“I’m not going to go home where some stranger is waiting for me. Do I look stupid? You don’t know what’s going on. Besides, I’m still waiting for my uncle.”

She’s a pain in my ass, but one I don’t mind being around.

A smirk forms on my face. “I know more than you think, Princess.”

Sure, I know it’s not wise to annoy her with the nickname, but the way she gets riled up is sexy as hell.

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