Xavier’s penthouse was darker than I expected. No grand chandeliers or glittering opulence, just heavy shadows draped over expensive leather furniture and thick curtains drawn tight against the Baltimore skyline. His presence filled the room-calm, dangerous, like a predator waiting in the dark.
I clutched my phone tightly in my hand as I stepped further inside. Every step felt like a dance with danger, and the air was thick with tension, as if even the walls knew I didn’t belong here. Xavier lounged in a chair, sipping a glass of amber whiskey, his dark eyes fixed on me the moment I entered.
“Brave of you to come,” Xavier murmured, his voice smooth as silk but carrying a hidden edge. He set his glass down slowly, like a man who had all the time in the world. “Or stupid.”
“Maybe both.” I met his gaze, forcing myself to stay calm. “But I came because I know the truth.”
A flicker of something-curiosity? amusement?-crossed his face, but it vanished almost instantly. He leaned back, waiting. I didn’t let myself hesitate. This was my one shot.
I unlocked my phone, thumb hovering over the screen. “You might want to hear this.”
The room was silent except for the faint hum of the city outside as I pressed play. Ethan’s voice crackled through the recording, filling the room like the hiss of a venomous snake.
Ethan: “I’ve lured her in. Xavier will make his move soon… She’s the perfect hook. Xavier’s obsession will make sure of that.”
Xavier didn’t react-not at first. He listened, stone-faced, as the recording ran its course. But I saw the slightest twitch in his jaw when Ethan mentioned using me as bait.
It was gone in an instant, replaced by that same unreadable mask, but I knew then: Xavier was angry.
I ended the recording and tucked the phone back into my pocket, crossing my arms. “There. Now you know. He’s playing both of us.”
Xavier stared at me for a long, uncomfortable moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he stood, his movements deliberate and measured, like a wolf circling prey.
“You think that gives you leverage over me?” His voice was soft, dangerously calm.
I swallowed hard. “I thought you’d want to know. You said Ethan’s a threat. Well, here’s proof.”
Xavier gave a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it-just something dark and predatory. “You don’t understand, do you?”
I stiffened. “Understand what?”
“You’re in over your head, Alyssa.” He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, making the air feel heavy. “Ethan isn’t your biggest problem. Not by a long shot.”
A chill ran down my spine, but I stood my ground. “Then what is? Who else is involved?”
Xavier’s smile was cold. “There’s a third player in this game. Someone far more dangerous than Ethan or me.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Who?”
He tilted his head slightly, as if debating how much to tell me. “Ethan isn’t working alone. He’s tied to someone higher up-someone pulling the strings from behind the scenes. If you think you can outplay him with a simple recording, you’re already dead.”
I felt a knot of fear tighten in my stomach, but I pushed it down. “Then why are you telling me this? Why not just let me walk into his trap?”
Xavier leaned in, his dark gaze piercing mine. “Because, as much as I enjoy watching Ethan squirm, you’re too valuable to waste.”
The way he said it sent a shiver down my spine-not quite a compliment, not quite a threat. Just cold, calculated truth.
“I can protect you,” Xavier continued, his voice low and dangerous. “But only if you listen to me. You’re in the middle of a war, Alyssa, and you don’t even know it.”
I took a step back, trying to clear my head. Every instinct screamed not to trust him, but what choice did I have? Ethan had already betrayed me, and now Xavier was offering me a lifeline-one tied with sharp strings.
“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.
Xavier gave a slow, predatory smile. “Simple. Stay close to Ethan. Make him think you trust him. When the time is right, you’ll help me bring him down.”
I clenched my fists. “And what happens to me if I refuse?”
Xavier’s smile didn’t waver. “Then you’ll learn the hard way just how dangerous the people behind Ethan really are.”
The room seemed to grow colder as his words sank in. I knew then that whatever game I was caught in, it was bigger-and deadlier-than I’d imagined.
Before I could respond, Xavier’s phone buzzed on the table. His eyes flicked to the screen, and his smile vanished, replaced by a hard, focused expression. He picked up the phone and read the message, his jaw tightening.
“What is it?” I asked, my heart pounding.
Xavier turned the screen toward me, and I felt the ground shift beneath me.
The Message: Ethan’s making his move tonight. Alyssa will be caught in the crossfire. Get ready.
My breath hitched. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” Xavier said, tucking his phone away, “you’ve got less time than you think.”
Fear twisted in my gut, but I forced myself to stand tall. “What are you going to do?”
Xavier’s smile returned-cold, calculated, and more dangerous than ever. “What I do best, Alyssa. I survive.”