The Mafia's Secret(Book 1)

Chapter 31 ✔️

SCARLETT

        Two weeks have passed now. My wounds were practically healed and were no longer painful. That didn't help the anxiety I felt of everyone constantly arguing over how we were going to rescue Caleb and Mindy. I couldn't help but think one of them was already dead and the other was most likely seriously injured. The thought of that kept me unable to sleep for days. I was exhausted. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't sleep more than two hours a night without getting the same nightmare of either Caleb or Mindy being killed in front of me. Each worse than the last.
        Having been staring out the window for hours now, the sun was starting to peak above the houses across the street. The multiple colors lit across the sky in  a beautiful blend of orange, red and pink colors. With the added smell of the  peppermint tea that I held in my hands, I felt like I could be home, living life like normal again. Only I knew that wasn't possible.
        Arms suddenly wrapped around me, causing me to drop the mug as I flinched. It would have crashed against the floor if the person wasn't so quick in  catching it. They chuckled, putting the mug down. A quick glance was all it took to realize it was Xavier. He wrapped his arms around my waist, turning my body towards him. There was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he smirked, clearly proud of himself for nearly giving me a heart attack.
       "Paranoid, are we?" He grinned mischievously.
        I was quick to push him away, turning back towards the window. "I don't need this right now, Xavier."
        I was annoyed with him and he knew it. We could have gone and rescued Mindy and Caleb days ago but he insisted none of us were ready  for it. Even though he knew I was tortured with nightmares every night. His constant nagging and demands to know what they were every time I would wake him up by talking in my sleep or waking up practically screaming. It was childish and I wished they would stop already.
        "What do you need then?" He asked, wrapping his arms around my waist once again. He started to trail kisses around my neck.
        I sighed. "Nothing."
        "Hmm. You aren't lying to me, are you?" He started to nip at my skin as he continued to kiss my neck. He didn't wait for a response before he started to trail kisses back up to my ear, nipping at the lobe of my ear. "I think I know what you need." He paused. "Come with me." He whispered, grabbing one of my hands.
        I wasted no time allowing him to quietly bring me downstairs and into the bedroom we were staying in. He was quick in closing the door behind him, pulling me into his arms. Within a matter of seconds he had my back onto the bed and he was on top of me. His hands roamed my body as he started kissing me with a passion never felt from him before. He had one arm resting beside my head while his other hand rested at my waist.
       Before I knew it, our clothes were off and we were panting beside each other. Both of us were clammy from sweat as we embraced each other in silence. Despite how unpleasant our skin felt together, it felt nice and peaceful to be in his arms. I had never felt anything like this with Nathaniel and I enjoyed it. I craved all of Xavier like a baby craved milk from its mothers breast. 
        Xavier finally sighed after a few minutes of silence. He kept his arm around me, running his fingers along my abdomen. "How long will you keep avoiding the talk, Scar?" He asked in a low tone. Despite the softness his voice gave off, there was a certain seriousness behind it.
        "What does it matter to you, Xavier? You've made it clear where you stand on the whole situation."
        "I told you. None of us are ready and we simply don't have the numbers to face Darren and your father. I'd expect you of all people to understand that."
        "Mindy and Caleb are probably already dead." I whispered under my breath. It wasn't to Xavier specifically but to myself. It was better to face the truth than run from it. Which was Ironic coming from me since all I've done my entire life, was run.
       Xavier's body had tensed up at my words but he was quick to relax. "If you believed that, you wouldn't be here now, would you?"
       I stayed silent.
        "We will rescue them soon, Scar. When the time is right." He paused. "Once my message is delivered, we will find them and get them out. Until then, we will remain here. Where we are safe." He grabbed my shin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "Do you understand, Scar?" His voice was firm and there was a small amount of hostility within his tone. He was serious. He had a plan and he expected me to trust it without knowing what it was. I hated it. 
       All I could do was nod before resting my head back onto his chest. His words left me curious. This was the first real hint of a plan he had given me. He had contacted someone. Who they were, was left as nothing but a mystery until they arrived or we showed up to them. I just hoped this encounter would happen soon because I was beginning to lose hope. I had a feeling someone was going to get seriously hurt or worse. Someone would be killed. That was the last thing I wanted.
       Xavier suddenly moved into a sitting position, pulling me from my thoughts. He stayed silent for several seconds before he turned to look at me. "I'm trying to protect you, Scar. I lost more than you know. Losing you would make all of this for nothing. Everything I've done to you in the past may make now seem like a tactic to get back into running the gangs, but that isn't the case. Not anymore. I'm not using you to get back at Zayn. Not anymore. The truth Is I–"
        He sighed, turning away from me as he clenched his fists. I could tell he wanted to say more but he was holding back. For a man who had shown nothin but hatred and anger towards everyone, he seemed genuinely scared now and it surprised me. Taking the opportunity, I moved towards him, wrapping my arms around him. I knew what I wanted now and no matter whatever he confessed to me, I would love him for who he was. A man who loved only one thing. Me.