Page 12 of Wounded Angel

I pick up the notepad and pen and begin to write my message.

Ambros,

Last night was amazing. It’s more fun than I’ve had in a really long time.

It was great meeting you.

xo,

Xava

My phone begins to vibrate in my hand, and it’s Rolando, so I pick it up. “Hey, are you here?”

“Yes. I’m right out front.”

“Okay, cool. I’m coming out now,” I tell Rolando and leave Ambros’ house.

I walk right out, and Rolando is in his usual blacked-out SUV. It never surprises me anymore how we could be anywhere in the world, and he’s driving the same car. He steps out of the SUV to open the back door for me, and then I get inside. Rolando shuts the door as usual, and as soon as he gets inside, he smirks at me.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing. I’m just surprised you went home with Ambros Galanis. Of all the people at the wedding, you chosehim?” Rolando shakes his head and begins heading down the chestnut tree-lined driveway.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“His family is trouble, Xava. Be careful who you let get close to you.”

“You’re reading too much into this. I’m not getting close to him. It was a one-night stand.” I shut it down completely. Rolando doesn’t even need to be giving me advice anyway. Who is he to judge someone like that? I don’t make comments on whatever he does with his life because it isn’t my place.

The rest of the drive back to the villa is awkwardly quiet, and when we arrive, I get out of the car and start to head straight back to the suite I’m sharing with Yara.

Rolando grabs my arm, forcing me to stop, and looks right at me. “You can’t go back to your suite yet. Ruslan wants to speak with you now.” His tone changes immediately, and I realize this isn’t a request. It’s an order.

Rolando releases my arm, and I nod. He leads me to Ruslan’s suite and opens the doors once we reach them. I take in a deep breath, not knowing what in the hell I’m walking into.

Ruslan’s sitting on a couch, scrolling on his phone. The moment I walk in through the doorway, he raises his brows and stares right at me. “You tried to slip your security detail last night. Do you have any idea how furious I am with you right now?”

He says he’s furious, but the tone in his voice doesn’t tell me he is.

“I wasn’t intentionally trying to slip my detail. I was heading out for a good time.” I explain. Surely, Ruslan knows I’m a young woman, and I want to experience life. Hell, a woman needs to get laid every once in a while. I’m not going to come out and say that, though.

Ruslan presses his lips together and nods. “Mm, and birds don’t fly. Xava, tell me, does that sound believable?”

“No, it doesn’t.” I shake my head as I answer him.

“Exactly. You can deny it as much as you like. I’ve been around the block before with people trying to slip their security. You wanted some freedom last night. That I understand. What I don’t understand is why you would inadvertently put your life at risk by doing so. You know better. You know you need to be careful. So that’s what I’m telling you. Don’t slip your detail again. It’s for your own good.”

I suck in another breath and nod. “I understand.”

Ruslan’s phone starts ringing, and he answers it. He doesn’t officially tell me I’m free to go, but I’m pretty certain I am, so I leave his suite. It’s not like I’m a damn prisoner, but my brother is really good at intimidating me.

I exit the room, and Rolando follows a few paces behind me. Once I’m sure Ruslan’s door is closed, I look right back at Rolando. “Wanted to take me to get yelled at, did you?”

“No. I wanted you to be aware of the importance of communicating with me. I don’t care what you do, Xava. However, I do care about keeping you safe.”

We continue walking throughout the villa until I’m at my suite. Once inside, I feel like I can finally take a deep breath. I don’t see my best friend, so I head into my bedroom and shut the door behind me.

The one thing I need now more than anything else is a long, hot shower. Luckily, at this villa, they have bathrooms attached to all the suites. I take a lengthy shower, and when I get out, I go ahead and blow dry my hair, put on some light makeup, and get dressed. When I finish, I head back into the main area of the suite, and Yara’s sitting at the table with a coffee in her hand, but she isn’t alone.

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