Page 100 of Pervade London
“And why were you homeless?” I whispered.
He swapped an uncomfortable glance with James.
I raised my Strad and dragged my bow over the strings dramatically, creating a horrible screeching sound. “You were running from…him.” I glanced at James.
Xavier pushed to his feet. “Thank you for playing for us.”
I refused to be shut down. “Why did you leave Pervade?”
“What?”
James looked amused. “I think that’s what she calls us.”
Xavier gave an exasperated sigh. “This is old news, Em.”
“Pervade London, here,” I said, pointing at James, “runs the organization like a monastery.”
James crossed one long leg over another. “It’s best you don’t try to define us.”
“I’m sure you feel that way,” I said tersely. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around what it is you do.”
“That information is revealed on a need-to-know basis,” he said.
I looked at Xavier. “You left because James wouldn’t give you what you wanted…which was him.”
James glanced at Xavier. “We don’t need to rehash the past.”
I pointed my bow at him. “Your past is ruining my present.”
“Emily,” Xavier said. His tone held a warning.
Still pointing my bow at James, I said, “You missed him as much as he missed you.”
A pained expression flashed in James’ eyes revealing there was truth in my assertion. “Our work is far reaching.”
“What are you fighting for?” I snapped. “What are you sacrificing everything for if not so people can be with the ones they love?”
“You don’t see what goes on behind the scenes, Emily,” said Xavier. “No one does.”
James raised his hand to quiet him. “It’s irrelevant.”
Xavier stood and walked over to me. “Sometimes the world must be put first.”
“What do you do?”
“I gave you up,” Xavier snapped back. “That is what I do.”
“Love isn’t allowed at Pervade.” I let that sink in.
It was James’ rule.
“You didn’t expect to meet me,” I reasoned. “You didn’t expect to fall in love. You were just waiting until James came around and accepted your terms. I was collateral.”
James gestured to my hands. “You play beautifully.”
I ignored him and stared at Xavier. “I can have one more night with you. James has permitted it.”
Xavier opened his arms to me as if that would be enough. “Em.”
