Page 122 of Cohesion

Xavier smiled unpleasantly. “I own this building.”

“Think that’s yours too,” Six said, pointing at the dead body.

Xavier barely glanced in that direction. “Indeed.” His focus zeroed in on Hunter, tension rising in the air. “It’s been too long, Alex.”

Hunter didn’t respond.

Quinn tightened his grip on his gun and slid his free hand down Sebastian’s, finding his hand and clasping it.

Xavier looked between Hunter and Six, where Spencer hung. He clicked his fingers and gestured at one of the men flanking him. “Get him a seat.” Then he looked at Cain and the three men against the wall. “May I have my men back?”

“No,” Cain said.

Xavier smiled lightly. “Alright, let’s play this your way. I can be accommodating.” When his eyes landed on Sebastian, all four of his men shifted, circling him and breaking Xavier’s line of sight.

Quinn wasn’t about to put his weapon down, and he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot. The world could only be a better place if this man left it.

“Spence?” Hunter said as he and Six lowered Spencer to the chair that Xavier’s man brought over to them. Hunter lifted his head, cupping his cheek. “We’re getting you out of here. Just a few minutes longer.”

“No worries,” Spencer slurred. “I’m having a great time. These shindigs are the best. Ten out of ten, highly recommend. We should come back here for a holiday.”

“Whatever you want.”

“Quinn Hughes. Pleasure to see you again,” Xavier said.

Sebastian’s hand scrunched Quinn’s shirt at his back. Will placed a hand on his hip, and Peyton moved, half blocking him from view.

“Can’t say the same,” Quinn said, gently nudging Peyton back behind him. He didn’t need protection. There were way too many witnesses for Xavier to do anything to him.

“Do I have to tell you again that I didn’t kill those men? Or do you need me to prove it to you in court and make a mockery of your badge once more?”

“I know you did it.”

Xavier hummed, uncaring. Then his eyes met Hunter’s, and the glimmer turned into something much darker. He approached, turning his back to all of them, confident that he wouldn’t get a bullet in the back. Quinn wouldn’t take that bet.

“This man, he’s important to you?” Xavier asked, glancing back at Sebastian.

“He’s important tome,” Jericho said firmly.

“That’s really the same thing, isn’t it? Where one brother is, the other always follows.”

“What do you want, X?” Hunter asked. “Come here to look over your handiwork?”

Six stepped in front of Xavier, breaking his path on the way to Hunter. They were almost the same height, and the inch that Xavier had on him didn’t deter him in the least as he tipped his head up. “Back the fuck up.”

“Are you getting in my way, Six?”

“Iamin your way.”

Xavier breathed deeply. “Always so stupidly brave.”

“You think I’m afraid of you, or your lackeys? You even so much as think about hurting Hunter—and I’ll know, asshole—I will remove your balls. Slowly.”

“I’ve always admired your creativity. Even if that one was a little below the belt.”

“Don’t test me.”

Hunter slid a hand over Six’s shoulder and squeezed. “It’s alright.”

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