Illegally His!!??

XLVI

Xavier's POV:

I watched her from across the room, packing with a joy that was impossible to miss. Her excitement was practically contagious, and for a moment, I found myself smiling just watching her.

She was so caught up in her conversation with Kris, her elder brother, that I didn't want to interrupt. I could hear her laughter through the phone, and I could practically feel her happiness radiating. Finally, she's going home, I thought, and I couldn't help but feel a small tug of envy. She'd missed her family, her old life, and now she was going back to it, even if only for a short while.

I leaned against the doorframe, watching her toss clothes into her suitcase. There was something about the way she moved, so carefree and happy, that made my chest tighten a little. She deserved this—time with the people who mattered most to her.

"Yes, Kris, I'm not kidding! Xavier mentioned he has some work in India, so I'm coming along with him!"

Hearing her say that made me feel... well, a little lighter. I had planned to focus on work, but there was no way I'd let her go alone. Not after so much time apart from her family. I wanted to be there with her—protect her, support her.

I stepped into the room when the call ended, wanting to check on her before we left. She'd gotten so wrapped up in her excitement that she didn't even notice me enter, I guess. She was glowing. It made my heart skip.

"Are you ready?" I asked, standing up.

She nodded quickly, her eyes still gleaming with that unmistakable excitement. "Yep, all ready."

As she finished packing, I couldn't help but notice how perfect she looked, even with her hurried movements. The simple act of packing her things, of getting ready to leave—it all felt so normal, but so full of potential, of change.

When the staff came in to take the luggage, I walked over to her, my gaze softening as I reached for her hand. She gave me a gentle squeeze, and I couldn't resist the pull to keep my hand wrapped around hers.

"Shall we?" I asked, my voice quieter than I meant it to be.

She nodded, and we made our way out of the room, down the stairs to where everyone was waiting. The usual silence hung in the air as we passed the staff, but I could tell they were just as ready to go.

The car ride was smooth, but I could feel her nervousness, even if she tried to mask it. It was a big trip—India was far, and the troubles of it were looming in the background. But for her, it wasn't about business; it was about family. I knew this meant a lot to her.

We arrived at the airport, and when the door opened to reveal the chartered plane, I couldn't help but watch her reaction. I could see the surprise in her eyes, even as she masked it with her usual enthusiasm.

The staff greeted us respectfully, and I couldn't help but feel a shift in the air. There was something tense, something off about the way everyone moved. Viktor's serious expression, Lucian's usual stoic face—it all added up to an atmosphere that made me realize the gravity of the situation. But I wouldn't let her see that. Not now.

"Let's go," I whispered, my hand tight around hers as I guided her onto the plane first. She looked at me, still a little unsure of the energy in the air, but I just smiled at her and gently nudged her toward the seats.

Once we were seated, I finally allowed myself to notice the weight of the tension. The men were quiet, more reserved than usual, their faces tight with something unspoken. I could feel their concern, but I didn't want to burden her with it. This was supposed to be a trip for her.

When she looked at me, I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She was picking up on the vibe, but I had to keep her calm. She doesn't need to be distracted by this, I told myself.

"Are you okay?" she whispered, resting her head on my shoulder.

I stroked her hair gently, more to comfort myself than anything else. "Yeah, I'm fine, princess. You should try to get some rest. It's going to be a long flight."

I kept ruffling her hair as she nodded, her eyes fluttering closed, and before I knew it, she was asleep.

I wasn't entirely sure about how to handle the escalating troubles of India, but there was something about this trip—something I hadn't fully figured out yet. But I knew one thing for sure—I'd protect her, no matter what.

India was just the beginning of something bigger, and whatever came next, we'd face it together.