Page 48 of Xavier

Hoping that Hudson catches the shooter and the mayor checks on the crowd, I lean back against the brick wall and hold Brianna close.

She nestles her head against my chest.

I don’t rush her to put herself back together. I let her take her time processing everything.

After several minutes, her shaking stops and she looks up at me. “Thank you. For everything.”

Having her in my arms, in a non-sexual way, is causing feelings to stir inside of me. I don’t know what to say. Words elude me.

How did we go from petty arguments and sarcastic remarks to this? A smirk forms on my face as I watch her expression change to annoyance. She must be thinking the same thing I am.

We’re like fire and oil together, but right now, it feels right.

“I might be grateful for your comfort right now, but don’t mistake that for weakness.”

“I’d never make that mistake.”

When she sits up, I stand and help her to her feet. Looking around, the place is deserted. The parking lot is almost empty except for a few cars.

“Where’s Mom and Dad?” Brianna asks as her gaze goes to the spot behind the podium.

“Call your dad and find out. I’ll call Hudson and see if he was able to get the shooter.”

I really hope he was able to, otherwise, we will have to think about Brianna’s protection going forward.

She will need around the clock protection in an undisclosed location until the police catch the killers.

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her phone. “Wait, who’s Hudson?”

“A friend in town.” I pull out my phone, disappointed when I don’t see any messages from Hudson.

“How do you know him?”

Annoyed, I turn to face her. “Do I have to answer eighteen more questions before you call your dad?”

“Fine. Keep being all mysterious with your secrets.” She rolls her eyes dramatically, but under her facade, she looks hurt that I wouldn’t answer her question.

I sigh. It will probably be quicker and easier to answer her questions rather than deal with her attitude for the rest of the day. Besides, if she needs protection, I’m assuming I will be on the short list.

“Hudson and I became close friends after we met several years ago. Now that I inherited my father’s house, Hudson is reintroducing me to civilian life.”

“I hear you’re making the most of it.”

She chuckles as I raise my eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

“Starting a bar fight in the middle of the day is quite ballsy. You were lucky that Sergeant Smith let you go with a warning. It probably helps that he always goes easy on the newcomers, but I wouldn’t make it a habit of getting the police called on you.”

How does she know about the bar fight? Was it big news in town?

“Yeah, well, the guy was an asshole, and he deserved it.”

She lets out a loud laugh. “Yeah, that’s what they all say.”

I shrug. There’s no point in rehashing the details. No one will understand why I did what I did.

My phone rings.

Saved by the interruption.

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