"I am good at two things. Murder and sex."
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Xavier Visconti expected one thing on December 3rd. And that was getting his money back from a spineless woman he had taken pity on. What he didn't expect, though, was to meet his damsel-in-distress.
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"CAREFUL," HE MURMURED, gently grabbing her elbow as she stumbled.
No matter how much she tried, she couldn't help but look like a fool in front of him. Was it really her fault though? His Grand Wagoneer SUV was monstrous. The first time she'd sat in it, she was too nervous to even think about tripping. And now, she could feel the effects of the vaccine her aunt had made her take this evening.
"S-sorry," she whispered, clearing her throat as her voice broke.
"Mr Robert wanted to speak with Mr Cairo and Mr Christopher," another man's voice broke her out of her thoughts and for the second time that week, she came face to face with the man who had searched her that day.
Lydia could feel her skin crawl and she shivered unintentionally.
"Is that okay?" Xavier Visconti asked, gaze shifting to where she stood. "Or would you like to wait?"
She thought back to Emma, how petrified she'd looked when Elvira had dragged her down the stairs. Lydia hadn't even gotten the chance to apologize or reassure her for leaving so abruptly. Christopher had just... really been on edge. And God, had his words cut like knives today. He'd been so angry.
But he had apologized. Most people she'd encountered didn't even have the courtesy to do that much.
"I would like to go back, please."
Upon his nod, she wondered how he could hear her when she couldn't even hear herself. She felt strange when she was with him. She'd met nothing but dangerous, terrifying people ever since she was fourteen. And yet, nothing compared to how much he scared her.
"Wait, Lydia!" Cairo shouted before she could get in the Jeep, making her flinch violently. "Sorry," he laughed breathlessly as he ran over to them before grinning at her. She couldn't help but smile back. He was nice. Nicer than Christopher. Nicer than even Brandon. But he had the saddest eyes she'd seen on anyone. "I'm so sorry. Here you go." He handed her a familiar envelope. "Do you need anything else?"
She smiled once more but didn't say anything. They both knew she was not going to ask for help. She could see it in his eyes. She forced herself to shake her head, clenching her fists. She would have begged for help three years ago. She would have done everything in her power to escape. But now... she was not alone. There was someone who depended on her to save them and she was helplessly bound.
"Goodbye."
She owed him that much.
He shook his head, an easy-going smile on his lips. "I have a feeling it won't be that way for long."
"Let's go," Xavier looked at them, eyes narrowed.
"Good luck with your studies and everything else, Lydia." He smiled, eyes crinkling around the corners.
"Thank you," she whispered, unknowingly catching the gaze of the silent man who stood next to him.
She looked away, taking a few steps back as she felt a chill gloss down her spine.
