Page 32 of Xavier

“Princess? I don’t think so.” She purses her lips before downing her shot. “You’ve got some nerve thinking you can boss me around and talk down to me. I’m not like other women. I don’t need or want your approval.”

My smirk morphs into a full on grin. “I think deep inside you’re more sweet than sour.”

“Keep dreaming because you’ll never find out.”

She’s fiery, stubborn, and unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. I feel drawn toward her, like a moth to a flame.

I’m starting to feel things I have no business feeling. I’m feeling like I want to be around her more and more.

I’m feeling like I want her to keep defying my wants and wishes with her smartass remarks.

A desire is building inside of me and I only want her to stoke it.

She pulls her phone out of her pocket and makes a call. “Hey, Lieutenant, I didn’t want to call the emergency number, but we have a situation at the seafood shack.”

She pauses as he says something to her.

“There’s been a break in and a murder.”

He must be yelling because she pulls the phone away from her ear.

While she’s occupied with the Lieutenant, I grab my phone and check my messages from Hudson.

He sent the phone number I asked for, so I call the one guy I really don’t want to but need to.

The phone rings and rings and rings.

Is Hudson keeping him busy?

Right before it switches to voicemail, he picks up.

“Hey, Xavier, what can I do for you?”

His tone is a bit uncertain, but I don’t pay it any attention. We’re going to have a long conversation as soon as Brianna is safely home.

I let out a deep sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose as Brianna animatedly throws her arm in the air and gestures to the dead body.

“I need your help.” I finally say.

“What do you need?”

“Come to Zach’s Seafood Shack and bring Hudson. It’s a shitshow.”

I hang up the phone, not waiting for his reply. I know he will come, but I send Hudson a text informing him of the situation.

He replies almost instantly.

He’s riding with me. ETA eleven minutes.

I don’t bother replying because Brianna hangs up her phone and heads to the kitchen to retrieve a plate of pie and the pie tin.

“Would you like some?”

How is she eating after everything she just witnessed?

I stare at her to make sure she is feeling alright. “No, I’m fine. Thank you, though.”

She shrugs and digs into the half-eaten slice of pie that’s on her plate.

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