Chapter 62 – Xavier
My eyes, heavy withsleep, drifted open. I stared at the ceiling, not recognizing it for the first few seconds before my brain reenacted last night’s drunken stupor. Rubbing my brow to ease the sting of a headache, I cursed and rolled up to sit on the edge of the bed. The sudden blare of my phone made me cringe. I hit the answer icon without looking at the caller ID.
Christ, how much did I drink last night?
“Yes,” I grunted, not how I usually answered.
“Sir,” Jodie’s soft voice was a blessing. “Legal just dropped off the contract for the Langberg deal. They need your signature today if we’re going to close.”
Cupping my neck, I groaned, aware I’d never be able to concentrate long enough on the required paperwork to sign. “Jodie, Saint is in town. Please arrange for him to sign the contract. It’s a done deal.” As an authorized signatory, I knew Saint would apply the attention the contract deserved.
“Will do. Your meet—”
“Cancel them, please.”
“All?” I heard the surprise in her voice.
I never canceled meetings. “Yes.”
After the call disconnected, I stood, cursing, and stumbled into the bathroom. While I relieved myself, I winced at the disheveled vision staring back at me in the mirror. When had I become this pathetic man I didn’t recognize?
When you fell in love.
The last time I’d been that drunk, I was a kid who’d just fucked a girl on an altar, not understanding the whole brotherhood shit my family forced on me. Since then, I’d promised myself I’d never resort to that behavior, no matter the circumstance. Was it ironic that my second stint involved another young woman, this time, one I’d sent away by choice?
Grateful for the overnight bag Wilkes had brought me, I stepped under a cold shower, welcoming the pressure of its chilling fingers. When a presentable, sober me opened the hotel door several long minutes later, Wilkes stood there, already dressed and ready for action. Hands clasped in front of him, he eyed me through black shades.
“Did you get any sleep at all?” I grinned, trying to remember how much we drank last night.
“Enough, sir.” He held out his hand.
Grateful, I took the aspirin. “Thank you.” Grabbing bottled water from the room, I downed the pills, stepped out and closed the door behind me. “For what it’s worth, thank you, Wilkes. I know this isn’t what you get paid for,” I said as we walked down the corridor toward reception.
“Remember that evening with Kabir, sir?” I nodded. “I meant every word I said. It wasn’t just for show. I’d follow you to hell if I must.”
“Well, I already stepped into that place the second Mikaela left.” My laugh lacked mirth.
“You should’ve never let her go, sir.”
I studied the tank of a man walking next to me, unsure if I should laugh or be angry with his candor. “You sound like Saint right now.”
“He’s an admirable man,” he said, looking at me. “Just like his father,” he added. I laughed. “Where to, sir.” He slipped behind the wheel five minutes later. His gaze met mine in the rearview mirror, my silence speaking a lot more than my mouth could say. Wordlessly, he started the car and drove.
Today, I had two choices. Say goodbye or take her home with me. By the time we reached the shelter, there was only one choice. As if he knew my decision, Wilkes drove up to the large black gates and keyed in a code at the security panel.
Anticipation swirling through me, I watched the gates open, the car glide through, and follow the curved road draped in the shadows of tall arched trees. Several guards stationed across the immaculate green gardens patrolled the grounds.
“As you can see, sir, I spared no expense on making sure Mikaela and the ladies here are safe.”
