“Screw you!” she snapped, unable to meet his hard gaze. “I don’t know what to do, I need time to think.”
To figure out a plan,she mentally added.
Xander took a step forward, but froze when Kyra winced. “Your wards failed to keep me out, which means someone else can break in here and cause you harm. It will only be for a few days while Kace secures the place.”
Kyra blew out a breath, frustrated at her own reaction. She was overwhelmed, the urge to run growing with every passing second. “One night,” she said, knowing that even with such little time she risked Frederick’s anger. But her home wasn’t safe. “And then I have to come back.”
“Fine, one night,” Xander growled in agreement.
She only needed a change of clothes, and she had nothing of sentimental value, so was ready with her small bag within minutes.
Xander said nothing as he made his way out into the corridor to speak to Kace. “I’m taking her back to mine, update Riley and contact me if anything changes.”
Kace nodded in acknowledgment, his attention remaining on Eva. He had placed himself against the opposite wall, with Eva hovering in the threshold of her own front door. She turned to Kyra when she appeared, her hands still clenched around the wok. “Hey, are you okay? I haven’t seen you this bad in months. What happened with Bane?”
“Who the fuck is Bane?” Xander rumbled.
Kyra clutched the bag to her chest, ignoring him. “I’m just going to be gone for a day. Please don’t worry, I’ll call you when I can.”
“Seriously? With these guys?” Eva looked between them suspiciously.
“I don’t have time to explain. Stay safe, and stay away from Bane if you see him.”
Eva lifted her weapon, pointing it towards Xander. “Hurt her and I’ll shove this up where the sun doesn’t shine.” She turned to Kace. “You too arsehole.”
Kace suddenly barked a cough, his face twisted. “Noted.”
* * *
Kyra sat on the edge, the bed comfortable enough but oddly impersonal, sterile. Xander’s place was a decent size in a well sought after area in the city, the view amazing from the bedroom window, except it had no character. The sheets were a dark blue that stood against the wooden panelling detailing on the wall, no extra comforts other than the basics. The two nightstands were empty other than the lamps, which were ablaze as soon as she had been shown the room, and the door quickly closed behind.
Xander hadn’t exactly said she couldn’t leave, but from the extra loud slam she was sure it was emphasised that she wasn’t welcome to explore. He had muttered that he only had one bedroom, and that he would stay on the sofa. In any other situation she would have protested, but the murk that was making its way out her system had taken its toll, and exhaustion beat heavily against her.
Exhaustion that wouldn’t improve with sleep. Not that she could sleep in an unwelcoming environment where all she could think of was worst case scenarios, or the fact her mouth still tasted vile and no amount of scrubbing seemed to work.
So she settled for snooping, because Xander had no TV in the bedroom and she couldn’t bring herself to walk around his home with him so close, judging.
A bookshelf was the only other freestanding furniture, three tiers with one holding a few books. The other two were empty, which took the minimalistic decor to another level.
He was either a man who needed very little or he rarely stayed there.
The wardrobe was built into the wall, concealed apart from the dent of the handle and held a few outfits, which was almost as stark as her own. Three sets of boots, all exactly the same sat at the bottom along with a metal box.
Dropping to her knees she touched it, the metal cool beneath her fingertips. She tried to lift the lid, realising it was locked with a key.
What did he have that needed to be locked away?she thought to herself. It was heavy, surprisingly so considering it wasn’t that large. She could unlock it with a spell, and the incantation was close to the tip of her tongue. Instead she dropped it, not wanting to upset Xander anymore than she surely had.
“It’s probably underwear,” she muttered.
She had found no underclothing of any kind in the wardrobe and drawers, and the idea of Xander preferring commando was knowledge she didn’t need in her life.
Climbing to her feet she felt a warmth drip down her leg, the cut on her thigh re-opening. “Bugger.”
The hallway outside the room was dark, but not enough for her to worry as the light from the kitchen seeped through. The bathroom, on the other hand, was encased in shadows further down the hallway. The door was silent when she opened it, her heart thundering in her chest as she frantically searched for the switch.
“Lux mea,”she whispered after struggling, a small ball of light appearing by her outstretched hand. It illuminated enough for her to find the pull, and with a click the overhead light glowed, and her eyes immediately settled on the naked man in the shower. “Oh!”
Her mouth dropped open, but she was unable to look away from the tattoos that accentuated Xander’s strong shoulders and back. They sloped down his sides, the left dipping down to curve perfectly onto his cheek. His right leg was covered, the designs wrapping around while his other was bare. He faced away, one hand planted on the tile and the other relaxed by his side. The shower was off, the air cool, but his skin was still glistening from the water beads.
