Page 157 of The Keeper

“One of them saw her. When she went back inside, another guy came up to her and threatened her. He said he knew who she was, knew who my family was,” I paused, “knew who I was. Then he put his hands on her and said if he ever saw her at another party he’d teach her a lesson she’d never forget.”

I inhaled. I don’t think I’d taken a breath the whole time.

“Let me see it.” Xavier’s low, tight timbre sent a chill through me. “Let me see exactly what she wrote.”

“I told you ever—“

“Victoria,” he snarled. “Show me the fucking diary right now.”

Victoria

Tears pricked at my eyes when I went to my room to get it. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him. But at the same time, what the fuck with his reaction? I grabbed it and flipped to the pages he wanted to see on my way back to the living room. He stood by the couch, arms folded, eyes cold.

“Xavier,” I snapped the diary away when he reached for it. “I’ll show this to you but I need you to calm down. And don’t ever speak to me like that again.”

He collected himself on a deep breath, regaining control over his body. His eyes still flared though. Sapphire flecks of fire burned with trepidation and anger.

“I’m sorry, love,” he said. “Please, let me see it?”

I gripped the journal, uneasy about letting him see my sister’s words. “These are some of the last things Charlotte ever wrote,” I told him, dropping my eyes to the floor. “Remember that.”

“I know.” His words came out gruff and unyielding. “But I need to see it.”

I handed him the diary.

He sat on the arm of the couch and flipped to the final entry. He scanned through it once, swallowed, then read it again. And again. Whatever color remained in his face drained until he appeared ashen. He covered his mouth, closing his eyes. One by one, the muscles in his arms, torso, and shoulders tightened.

An inferno raged behind his eyes when he pinned his stare on me.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Victoria. Your sister didn’t deserve this and I promise to fix it.”

He dropped the diary and stormed over to the kitchen. Grabbing his phone, he made a call.

“Get over to Victoria’s. Now Bennet. I don’t give a shit what you’re doing. Yeah, I’m fucking talking to you like this. Get the fuck over here now.”

He ended the call and composed himself before addressing me. “Please call down to your night guard to let him know you’re expecting a guest.”

“What’s going on?”

“We might know who did this.” His eyes widened when he saw whatever expression washed across my face. “Let us handle it.”

Stunned, I sat on the couch and called down to the security desk to let them know I was expecting a visitor.

Xavier prowled through my condo like a caged animal, all sinewy power and agitation. He truly looked like a lion baring down on its prey. I chose not to ask any questions even though my curiosity demanded answers.

The untamed side to him I thought I knew was only a piece of what dwells deep down. This part was more ferocious, more threatening. I wondered if this was the side he hides from, the one he didn’t want me to see.

I shivered.

“Are you okay, love?” he asked, kneeling in front of me. His agitation hadn’t dissipated but his tone was warm and caring.

I played with his hair. “Are you?”

“I am right now,” he answered, laying his head on my lap. “Being near you always helps.”

The more I touched his hair and stroked the back of his neck, the more I felt him relax. Neither one of us said another word while we waited. I said all I needed to with every soft touch. He answered with contented sighs.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.

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