Page 52 of Burning Your Lies

“What’s wrong?” Jordan asks.

I should tell them the truth. But I know Huxley. I know what he is capable of, and I can’t have Xavier dead. Not until justice is served. “Nothing,” I mutter, before climbing up the stairs to my bedroom. I throw my bag to the floor and let out a deep breath. I rub my face in my hands and beg myself to stop jittering.

The door opens and closes. Mia slowly walks into the room and takes a seat on the bed. “What happened? And don’t say nothing. You’re shaking like you’re on something.”

I look down at my fingers and curl them closed. “Xavier happened.” I take a seat next to her and the flood comes. “How am I supposed to do this, Mia? How am I supposed to take him down when he almost got me killed tonight?”

Her hands stop rubbing my back. “He what?” she hisses.

Raising my finger to my lips, I beg her to lower her voice. “He sent Rowan after me. I was just walking home and the next thing I know he was strangling me. This time didn’t work, but what happens when he asks the men that killed Emery to kill me? How am I supposed to win?” I try to breathe, but only my snifflescome out. I press my arms on my thighs and lean forward, still trying to get rid of the panic.

“This is what he wants. He’s just trying to scare you. He can feel the walls closing in on him. You are his biggest threat because you know the truth.”

I turn to look at her. “That is why I have the biggest target on my back. And then where does that leave everyone? I make Huxley into a widow. You and Jordan are forced to grieve another friend at the cost of Xavier. And Elise … who will protect her if I’m dead?”

Mia purses her lips as she struggles to offer me any comfort. She climbs off the bed and kneels on the floor in front of me. Taking my hand in hers, she forces me to look at her. “Stop being so fucking weak. He doesonething and you’re a crying mess. Strap on a fucking pair, Savannah. We knew the game he was going to play because he only has one move. He can call himself the ace of diamonds all he wants. Xavier’s only move is to kill anyone who stands in his way. Yet, you’re not dead. Have you asked yourself why? Why did he send you away instead of killing you? Why is Xavier doing any of this?” She locks eyes with me. “Because he wantsyou. For as long as he thinks he can win you back, he will carry on playing. Your existence has been his sole purpose since he saw you in that awful coffee shop. He won’t kill you because he needs you to survive.”

“He has all these resources on his side,” I argue.

Determination comes over her. “And we have the truth. The truth will always prevail. We won’t let it fail us.”

“It doesn’t matter if I take Xavier down. I won’t get to change what has happened. Maybe I should just cut my losses and come to a custody agreement for Elise.”

She wipes my tears. “And let him do this to someone else? He needs to be stopped. He needs to pay for the crimes he’s committed. You’ve got to find the fighter your mum instilled inyou. You’ve got to be stronger than this. A win won’t fall into your lap. We’re going to fight tooth and nail for it.”

“And what if, in the process, I lose everything else?”

“That is the gamble for a win of this size. You’re not just playing for yourself or by yourself. The voices that Xavier stole are rallying behind you. This win isn’t for you. It’s for everyone Xavier has ruined.”

I expect the suffocating hugs from Isabella and Hadley whenever we visit. I’m pulled away from Huxley as the women drag me into the kitchen. When I try to help them finish cooking, I’m batted away. I sit mindlessly as they chatter over the clinking and clanging of the pots and pans.

“I wish you two would make it here more often,” Isabella pouts.

“Hux is always so busy with work. But we’re here for an entire weekend.”

“I’m stealing you tonight for a girls’ night. I was thinking classic rom-coms, manicures, and chocolate.”

I love how easy it is when we’re here. I can forget everything for a few hours and have a normal life with a proper family. “I’ll try not to doze off ten minutes into the movie.”

Her excitement warms my heart. “I love having a sister.”

“Me too. You are the best part of being married to your brother.”

A gentle kiss is placed on my head. “I’ll try not to take any offence to that, sweetheart.”

Isabella stills in the middle of the kitchen to smile at her son with pride. Huxley is too engrossed in observing me to witness her joy for him. “You look well.”

He glances up at her. “Thanks. But this meal is needed.” He takes the dish of roasted vegetable from her before placing a kiss on her temple. “Thank you.”

I can’t explain why the sight has me fighting my tears. The fleeting moment was nothing extraordinary, but it was what a young Savannah dreamed of.I still dream about it.I miss my mum. I wonder if she would have enjoyed these visits to Huxley’s home in the countryside. Would she have felt safe in the home that is protected by pure love?

It’s nice seeing Huxley in this element. While his face is still a blank sheet, I note how his shoulders are more relaxed. His playful manner comes out with Hadley. His amber eyes fixate on the love between his parents with gratitude.

“How is Elise doing?” Malcolm asks.

My heart swells with pride. “Good. She’s developing a really powerful personality.”

Huxley takes my hand in his under the table. “Just like her mum.”

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