Page 44 of Lycan King's Claim
“So why didn't you try to leave?”
“My uncle found my stash. The night I met you, we had a fight, and I ran to Toby. Only Mal came over and said my uncle put me down as collateral to cover his debt, and well, you know the rest.” I tell him with a heavy sigh, if only I took the beating that night, I wouldn't be in this mess, I think bitterly.
As we step out of the car, I can't help but feel trapped—a prisoner in my own life. I know that as long as Xandros controls me, I can never have the friendship I once had with Tasha.
Once back in my room, I get out of my dress and decide to shower. Only once in the shower, Xandros invades my space by stepping in behind me. I suddenly feel self-conscious, which is ridiculous. We've seen each other naked more times than I can count. Yet now I struggle to feel comfortable around him, like I am always waiting for the invisible hands of his anger to wrap around my neck.
22
The sun is barely peeking through the curtains as I awake the next morning, my body still tense from the night before. For once, Xandros isn't in the room, and neither is Javier. The silence is both comforting and unnerving, leaving me to my thoughts as I rise from the bed and change into my uniform, preparing myself for another day of chores.
Having just finished putting on my uniform, the sound of the door opening startles me, and I turn to see Javier entering the room. His eyes quickly assess me before he tosses a small box my way. I catch it instinctively, examining the phone that now lay in my hands.
My heart races as I open the box and pull out the phone from within its plastic confines. I take a moment to stare at it. After taking a few moments more to admire my new possession, I look to Javier, wondering if Xandros knows. Seeing me looking at him, he answers before I have a chance to ask.
“Xandros sent me to get that for you this morning,” Javier explains, his voice calm but firm. “His number is on speed dial, and he added your friend's in the contacts. Now hurry, or you'll be late for your lunch date.”
“Lunch date?” I ask, confused by the sudden turn of events.
“With your friend Tasha,” he clarifies, a small smile playing on his lips. “Xandros organized it.”
Stunned, I rush to change out of my uniform and into something more suitable for a lunch date. My heart races at the thought of seeing Tasha after so long, but the fear of Xandros' anger also weighs it down should anything go awry.
As Javier drives us towards the city, I can't help but ask, “Where is Xandros?”
“Something came up that he needed to handle. It's a priority currently, but he promised to get you a phone and wanted you to spend time with your friend, so I am playing chauffeur,” he explains, his gaze remaining fixed on the road ahead.
“What came up?” I press, curiosity getting the better of me.
Javier sighs heavily, and glances at me. “Vin escaped his guard last night. Anita is secure, but Vin killed two of the Council guards and escaped. Carina has been alerted. But Xandros went to handle that. I'm sure he'll fill you in on this more once he returns home,” Javier informs me, his tone serious.
As we pull up to a quaint café, I spot Tasha waiting for me, her beautiful face lighting up with a smile when she notices me. She looks so happy to see me, and I feel my heart skip a beat and race in my chest. My hand reaches for the door handle when I turn to Javier, not hearing him take his seatbelt off. “Aren't you coming?”
“I can see you both perfectly fine from here,” he replies smoothly. “Is Xandros okay with that?” I ask nervously, not wanting to ruin the rare opportunity to reconnect with my friend by being dragged out because I didn't listen to instruction.
“He said to give you freedom. I can't leave you, but I can give you privacy. Just don't wander off and stay where I can see you,” Javier assures me.
With a nod, I step out of the car, taking a deep breath when I realize I have no money. “Ah, Javier?” I murmur. He peers out at me. “How am I supposed to pay?”
“Xandros already told them you'd be here and your table number. He owns this one,” Javier assures me.
I gape at Javier, completely taken aback. “He owns a café?” I ask incredulously.
Javier nods. “Yes, he has many business investments around the city. Now go on, have lunch with your friend while I stay here and keep an eye on you both.”
I nod, shutting the door before turning toward the café. It feels weird being out on my own, even if technically I am not on my own, but I mean without someone at my side. I approach Tasha, my heart swelling with a mix of joy and anxiety. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I am about to experience a brief moment of normalcy – and I can't help but wonder how long it will last before it all comes crashing down around me.
The warm sunlight filtered through the café's umbrella's, casting a golden hue on the bustling street before me. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the scent of buttery pastries, pulling me into the present moment as Tasha and I settle at our small table out the front. The familiar sounds of clinking silverware and murmuring conversations envelop us, offering a semblance of safety that I haven't felt in so long. Without Xandros here, I can almost pretend my life wasn't as chaotic as it is.
For the most part, Tasha tells me about what she has been up to since the only thing I can tell her is how many halls I've cleaned and people I've waited on, so her life has been far more interesting. “So you brought the pub from Toby?” I ask her, wondering why she wanted it, she always hated that place.
“Yeah, with some of Grandma's inheritance money,” she tells me. She pauses for a second, sipping her coffee. “Toby told me he was running away to be with you. I had hoped you get yourself free of the King, from what Toby told me, you wanted out,” she says and I nod. Glancing at the car. Javier is watching, and I am not sure what he can hear. But the windows are up as he flicks through his newspaper.
“Have you spoken to Toby lately?”
“Not since I bought the place, I assume he is with Carina,” she tells me and I chew my lip.
“So, what made you want to buy the place anyway, I thought you hated the club?” I ask her before taking a bite of my toastie.
