Page 58 of Hero Worship

"Algerone's not running this op," I said. "I am."

Xavier's laugh was bitter. "And that makes me feel so much better!”

"X, please," Xander said quietly. "You can't interfere with this. There are lives at stake."

"Lives at stake?" Xavier's voice went sharp. "What are you up to? What's happening in Paris that's worth Lucky Losers sending in their newest recruit?" He gestured at the suite's expensive furnishings, the designer bags, the evening wear laid out. "This isn't just any undercover op, is it? This is high society. The kind of circles where..." He trailed off, something shifting in his expression.

"X, don't," Xander warned.

But Xavier was already moving to the shopping bags, pulling out one of the garment bags with careful precision. The label made his breath catch. "This is Roche." His voice went flat. "You're wearing Roche to whatever party you're attending tonight."

The room went very still.

"Xavier—" Xander started.

"No." Xavier's hands were shaking as he set down the garment bag. "Tell me you're not involved in whatever's happening with Roche. Tell me our psychopath of a biological father didn't send you after—"

"The Russians hired us," I cut in, seeing no point in denying it now. "Specifically requested Xander for the operation."

"The Russians." Xavier's laugh held no humor. "You mean Nikolai? The one who's been watching Roche's operation for months?" At our surprised looks, he smiled grimly. "You're not the only one with connections."

"Then you understand why you can't interfere," I said. "We have a window tonight. A private party where—"

"Where my brother is going to play pretty bait for a predator?" Xavier's voice could have cut glass. "Yeah, I don't think so."

"You don't get to make that call," Xander said, voice tight with barely contained emotion. "This is bigger than just me. Misha—"

"Misha?" Xavier went still, something flickering across his face. "Viktor's child? The one who..." He trailed off, understanding dawning in his eyes. "That's why the Russians are involved. That's why Nikolai..."

"Now you see why we can't walk away," I said quietly, moving to stand beside Xander. My hand found his lower back, steadying him. "This isn't just about taking down Roche. It's about getting someone out."

Xavier studied us, his eerily perceptive gaze taking in every detail of how Xander leaned into my touch, how my stance shifted to shield him. "And the marks?" he asked finally. "The possessive display? That's part of your cover, too?"

"That's none of your business," Xander snapped.

"It became my business when your emotional state dragged me across an ocean," Xavier shot back. His expression softened slightly as he looked at his sibling. "I know that spiral, Dee. The way you throw yourself into danger when you're trying to feel something real. The way you use your body as a weapon because it's easier than admitting what you really need."

"This isn't like that," Xander protested, pressing closer to me. "Ash isn't—"

"You don't need to defend me," I said firmly, and met Xavier's gaze. "Everything I've done, every mark I've left, was because he asked for it. Because he needed it."

"He's my sibling," Xavier said, voice deadly quiet. "I've been protecting him since we were kids. Since before you even knewthey existed. You really think a few weeks of playing daddy makes you understand what he needs?"

"You don't get to decide that," I growled, shifting slightly to put myself between them. My protective instincts warred with the knowledge that this was Xander's family. "They're not a child anymore. And they chose me."

"Did they?" Xavier's smile was sharp. "Or did they just find another authority figure to submit to? Another daddy to replace the ones who left?"

"Fuck you." Xander's voice cut through the tension like a knife. He stepped out from behind me, facing his brother with clenched fists. "You don't get to play that card. Not when you're the one who flew across the fucking ocean because you couldn't handle me making my own choices."

"Dee—"

"No. You want to talk about daddy issues? Let's talk about how you can't let go. How you think being my brother means you get to control my life." Xander's laugh was bitter. "At least Ash is honest about his possessive streak. You hide yours behind protection and concern while trying to micromanage everything I do."

Something shifted in Xavier's expression as he watched us. I could almost see that remarkable mind of his processing, analyzing, coming to conclusions.

"If anything happens to him," he said finally to me, each word precise as a blade, "there won't be anywhere on Earth you can hide from me."

"Just go wait in the lobby, Xavier,” Xander snapped. "We need to shower and change, and I need a minute to process this."

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