Page 152 of The Order

“Prove it,” Xavier whispers.

“Happily,”It chimes out for me unexpectedly.

“Shut it!” I yell back, looking away from him as I speak.

“Did I say too much-”

“I wasn't talking to you,” I blurt out. His eyes grew wide for a moment before his face slipped back into an easy disposition.

The bell of the bakery door tinkles as a familiar face emerges.

“I was wondering if you were going to show,” Hunter says, smiling as he moves closer to us.

With no warning, I am wrapped up in a hug, feeling him squeeze with all he has. He cups my face with two hands before glancing behind me with a hateful stare toward Xavier.

“You brought the guard dog,” Hunter mutters, his words slightly slurred.

“And you brought a lack of consent,” Xavier lets out, motioning to his hands plastered on my face.

“Is that the best you've got?” Hunter pushes, finally looking over at Kai. Dropping his hands, he moves past me, getting a better look at Xavier and his cocky smile.

“I have no interest in the woman you’re holding over my friend like she's some trophy,” Hunter says. Xavier’s eyes narrow at his comment, his posture stiffening.

I clear my throat.

“What is he talking about?” I question, watching Xavier keep his eyes on Hunter.

“Why don't you tell her,” Hunter says, nudging him. “Might be easier once everything’s out in the open.” Hunter moves away from Xavier and closer to Kai.

I take Hunter’s spot in front of Xavier, looking over the man curiously. He crosses his arms as he avoids my gaze. My hand finally reaches up to grab his chin. He doesn’t resist me but hesitates before moving his eyes back to mine.

“I might have threatened Hunter and Fallan when I was here with your father… it's how I got the necklace back,” Xavier mutters, my hand dropping to my side at his response.

Without warning, I grab his entire face this time, pulling his head close to mine. His hands clutch my sides as I enter his mind, breaching his mental wall easily. I think of his words, reflecting on that day Fallan and Hunter had received the visit from my father. I see the memory from his perspective, hovering my lips above his while I dig for more. His grasp on me tightens, and the memory becomes clearer as Xavier’s threats toward them that day fill my head. Biting my cheek, his lips nearly touch mine. The memory is now fully formed. He looks bewildered, doing his best to stop our lips from touching in front of everyone here.

Pulling away, I get what I need, letting him keep his hands on me.

“So now I’m something you feel like you have jurisdiction over?” I don’t need to be connected to his mind to know he’s ashamed.

Kai and Hunter watch the exchange through stolen glances, quietly whispering, keeping to themselves.

"No, that’s not it,” Xavier begins, his thumb trailing over my upper stomach. “Tell me right now that you have no feelings for me, and I'll stop. If you tell me right now it's impossible for you to care for me, I'll walk away,” Xavier pushes, the chatter of people around us growing louder as they enjoy the party.

I open my mouth, ready to say something to push him away.

ButItspeaks for me.

And I want it to.

“I can't tell you there’s nothing here,” I finally settle on saying, feeling it coax me to continue. “And I can't tell you there isn't some part of you that scares me,” I finish, waiting to see how he’ll react to the truth.

“I wish there was-”

He abruptly stops speaking, his eyes closing in annoyance. Grunting angrily, he touches his throat, shaking his head in frustration.

“I won’t ever hurt you, Forest,” he finally says., my head slowly nodding to let him know that I believe him.

“I know,” I say with complete trust, unsure why I can no longer bear being near him.

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