HAUNTINGLY | 18+

49 | Answers

I've been pacing in my room since Xavier left after telling me we'd visit my brother today. I can't deny feeling nervous. The last time I saw Jason, he was chasing me through a maze in a clown costume, and that resulted in me getting more stitches.

There were so many thoughts running through my mind. How was he going to react when he saw me? What should I say to him first? I had so many questions I wanted to ask him and this time I wasn't going to leave until he answered all of them.

I halt my pacing when Xavier enters my room. "Ready to go?" he asks, his gaze fixed on me.

"Yeah, let's go," I reply, moving towards my door. However, he stands in the doorway, blocking my way.

He scrutinizes me closely. "Are you feeling okay?" His voice carries a tone of concern.

"I'm feeling fine," I assure him, attempting to walk past, but he firmly grasps my arm, halting me. An exasperated sigh escapes me. "Xavier, let's go."

He places a hand on my forehead. "You're looking a bit pale. Are you getting sick?"

I remove his hand from my forehead. "I promise, I'm fine."

"Or are you nervous about seeing your brother?" He probes.

I cast my gaze downwards. "Sure, I'm a little nervous to see him, but that's only because the last time I saw him, things didn't go so well," I admit quietly.

With both hands, he gently cups my face, tilting it up so our eyes meet. "You have nothing to worry about anymore," he reassures me.

A small smile forms on my lips. "I believe you," I reply.

He places a tender kiss on my forehead, then takes my hand in his as we head to his car. He starts driving once we're seated inside.

"Where is he anyways?" I ask, realizing that I have no idea where he's keeping Jason.

His gaze remains fixed on the road. "He's at my warehouse."

My brows knit together at his words. "You have a warehouse?"

"Yeah," he replies simply.

I roll my eyes at his vague response. "Why do you have a warehouse?" I press for more information.

"I used to hold my fights there," he admits. "And I was involved in a few illegal things back then, so that's where I kept everything."

"Illegal things like?" My curiosity grows. I was genuinely interested in Xavier's past. I felt like I still had so much to learn about him.

He lets out a sigh. "I used to sell drugs and weapons, but I stopped all that when I realized my fighting business was taking off," he explains.

"Is that why you had Scar kidnap me? Because you didn't want anyone to find out about your illegal business?" I question.

"Scar?" He raises an eyebrow.

"I meant Liam. It's just a nickname I've used since we met," I clarify.

He quickly glances my way before focusing on the road again. "At first, yes. I couldn't have some random person running their mouth about what they saw at the club," he admits.

"I wouldn't have said anything," I reply quietly.

"I didn't know it was you who had walked in on Liam until he mentioned your name in one of our conversations," he reveals.

I study his profile for a moment. "And once you did find out it was me, why did you insist on me continuing to live with you?" I've been eager to understand the answer to this question.