Blinked. Stared at the words.
He wasn’t joking. Wasn’t being dramatic. The question sat there, simple and sincere, like he was asking if I wanted coffee.
A laugh bubbled up, half shock, half something darker I refused to examine.
“Jesus Christ, Xavier.” Tugged at the towel on my head and dragged fingers through my damp hair. “No. I don’t want himdead. I want him to leave me alone, which he’s doing. Filing a harassment complaint tends to have that effect.”
Narrowed slightly. Skeptical.
“I’m serious.” Met his gaze. “He’s a cop. An asshole cop who couldn’t handle me standing up to him and needed to be told off, but no, I don’t want him dead.”
The pen moved:
If he comes back?
“Then I’ll deal with it, like the big girl I am.” Sharper than intended. “I’ve been dealing with men who think they own me since I was old enough to bleed. I don’t need...”
Stopped. Bit back the automatic defensive response.
Xavier watched me. Waiting.
“I don’t need you to kill anyone on my behalf,” finished quietly. “Okay?”
He held my gaze for a long moment. Then nodded once before flipping the page.
What did the police want? Subject change. I would take that coward’s exit. What did he tell you?
“That they’re searching for someone dangerous.” Met his gaze. “Someone matching your description.”
He went still.
“He said if I saw anyone, tall, green irises, fair hair, possibly injured, I should call immediately. Not approach.”
Will they come back?
The question I’d been avoiding.
“Maybe. Probably.” Honesty felt necessary. “They’re searching door to door. He’ll file his report. If they don’t find you in the area, they’ll move on.”
If Marcel mentions seeing someone. If the blood trail gets noticed. If anything breaks the careful story I built.
“We need to be careful.”
Xavier’s pen moved. Three words, simple and devastating:
I have to leave.
Chest went hollow.
“No.” Too fast. Too sharp. “You’re not ready. You need the X-ray. Need to pack up on medical supplies. Need proper clothes so you don’t freeze to death walking out.”
Staying puts you in danger.
“I was in danger the second I dragged you inside.” Leaned forward. “That ship sailed three days ago. Running now doesn’t undo anything.”
They’re hunting me.
“I know. Which is why you need to be smart about this. Not stupid.” Grabbed the pen. Wrote on the paper myself: Clothes. Clinic. X-ray. Supplies. THEN decide.
