Page 39 of Xavier

“Cookie?” I offer him my secret stash.

He looks surprised before a smile forms on his face. “You have a sweet tooth, don’t you?”

“What makes you say that?”

“First pie, now cookies.” He takes an offered cookie, but doesn’t eat it.

I raise my eyebrow at him. “Are you anti sweets?”

“No.” He stares at the cookie before taking a bite of it to prove me wrong.

“No matter how old I get, I love the memory of my first cookie. Grandpa snuck me one of these when Mom and Dad weren’t looking, and I’ve been hooked on them ever since.”

Shaking that thought away, I change the subject and say, “Dad might have clothes you can change into, so you’re more comfortable.”

“I have clothes. I always keep a bag of necessities and spare clothes in my trunk.”

Who is this guy? A spy? He shows up right after a shooting, has spare clothes in his trunk, and willingly stays the night with strangers?

He hasn’t taken his gaze off me since he sat down, but he glances at the television for a few moments.

When he turns back toward me, his expression is different. It’s harder, more focused, and deadly.

“What are you keeping from your uncle?”

I turn my entire body to face him. “How do you know I’m keeping something from him?”

“I could see it in your eyes. You were looking for something in his answers.”

He’s right. I was hoping Uncle Zach would tell me what was missing from his office, but he never did. Can I trust Xavier, though?

I need to be able to trust someone with this information. I need someone to help me get to the bottom of this. Xavier is on my side, right?

“The killer stole a small box from Everett’s pocket before he ran. I don’t know if Everett got it from Uncle Zach’s office or if he already had it on him. Based on the way Uncle Zach was acting, I’m assuming whatever was in the tiny box came from the office.”

This seems to pique Xavier’s interest. “What was it?”

I shrug and grab another cookie. “I don’t know, but my gut is saying it was important.”

“I agree. It probably has something to do with why they are here.”

“But what does my family have to do with all of this? What was Uncle Zach keeping, and why do they want it?”

Xavier runs his hand through his short hair. “I don’t know, but I promise I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe and find out the truth. It may seem like no one really knows what’s going on, but someone does, and I’ll find out who it is.”

My heart flutters at the thought of Xavier protecting me.

I know he’s telling the truth. I can feel it deep in my gut. He’d risk his life to protect mine.

Chapter Ten

XAVIER

The sun is finally shining again after several dark and cloudy days. It’s been almost two days since I’ve been home. I had to stay at the mayor, John’s, house the past two nights because of the severity of the storm.

Early yesterday morning we lost power as the hurricane pummeled the island, and then the flooding started.

As each new hour passed, the water continued to rise. The four of us watched the water get closer and closer to the house.

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