“What…what are you trying to tell me?” I asked hoarsely.
I didn’t trust Xavier, so I had no idea how to interpret his little speech.
“You don’t know anything about Scarlett, do you?” he asked me like he already knew the answer.
I had actually tried several times to learn more about her, but I’d been unable to get any information out of anyone. The girl was like an omnipresent ghost, and everyone knew her story but me.
I shook my head slightly.
“Not even about her father, Officer Roger Scott?” he asked, and I thought about it. I had seen the man once before when he’d showed up at Matt’s place investigating the attack on Carter Nelson, the guy who had ended up in a coma after a fight with Neil. Other than that one meeting, I didn’t know much about him. So I shook my head again.
“Like I thought,” Xavier noted sardonically. “Roger Scott is the person who hates Neil most in all the world. He’s been after him for years now. One day, when you really want to know the man you’re sleeping with, you’ll find out what I’m talking about. I don’t think Miller’s the type to confess all to you, Babydoll.” He rolled his shoulders and went on. “It’s your life, and, quite frankly, you can do whatever you want. But just tell me one thing…” He paused for effect. “Why do you want to roll around in this shit with us pigs?”
I sucked in a breath at his rough words as my head began to spin from information overload.
What did Officer Scott want with Neil? How many more secrets from his past was I unaware of?
I’d had no idea he was Scarlett’s father, though it was now much clearerto me why I’d gotten such a strong impression that he and Neil knew each other.
“Why does Officer Scott have it in for him?” I asked abruptly, ignoring his other question. He looked gravely at me and didn’t say a word. “Has Neil had trouble with the law before?” I tried again, but still, Xavier kept silent. “Damn it, I need to know!” I raised my voice as I stepped toward him.
I’d had it with all these cryptic mysteries.
I had a right to know what Neil was hiding from me. I’d even begun to suspect that he might be a danger to me, but the feelings that kept me soul-bound to him took over and chased away all fear.
He was reckless and acted impulsively, but he was not a criminal.
“No, nothing like that,” Xavier answered, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “But Neil did take his daughter away from him. That’s enough to brew hatred and resentment in any man,” he added seriously, and I let my arms fall to my sides, feeling suddenly weak.
What did that mean? In what way did Neil take her away?
I was just about to ask him when a grim, intimidating figure appeared over Xavier’s shoulder. I didn’t even need to take a good look; I knew exactly who it was. I could smell the scent of musk from where I stood.
Neil.
“Xavier.” He addressed his friend immediately, and I could tell from his rigid tone that he was in a bad mood. “I know what you’re trying to do. Don’t use her to get at me.” He moved closer as if to shield me with his powerful body, and I looked at him in consternation.
What the hell was he talking about?
“Why would I do that?” Xavier asked him, a derisive tone in his voice. Neil didn’t so much as twitch; he remained completely blank. It wasn’t surprising, though. It was difficult to make him lose control, except when someone pushed him beyond his limits.
“Alexia chose to join in that night. I certainly didn’t force her,” Neil said confidently, ignoring his friend’s sarcastic question. The air had grown tense; the two of them had entered into a specifically masculine sort of competition. It was their own unhealthy habits that led to all this dramathat was destroying their friendship. But, as far as I was concerned, this conversation was just making me nauseous.
“I don’t care!” Xavier exploded. “I’m fucking pissed that she still keeps picking you!” he ground out through clenched teeth.
I looked at Neil to see if I could tell what he was going to do. I could see from his eyes that he was still clearheaded, at least.
“So you’re throwing a jealous fit at me over a girl you didn’t give a shit about yesterday? Do you hear yourself? You’re pathetic, Hudson,” Neil said bluntly.
Xavier shook his head, annoyed. “You’re the pathetic one!” he shot back immediately. “Leading on all these little goody-goodies who come your way, using them for as long as you feel like, and then tossing them aside when you’re tired of them. You should share some of those interesting anecdotes from your past with Babydoll here. Let her get a real look at who you are, and we’ll see if she keeps on spreading for you then!” Xavier spat at him.
I cringed back instinctively at the violence in his tone. A few people clustered around the exterior of the club started throwing curious looks at us. Neil spotted them and glowered at Xavier, a look so grim that it even scared me.
“Go back inside, Xavier,” he said in a low, measured, but nonetheless menacing voice. Xavier, not at all intimidated, appeared to be considering his next move.
It was a clash of the titans, and either one of them could have come out on top.
“And what are you gonna do if I don’t? Hit me?” Xavier goaded him, and Neil quirked up a corner of his mouth, an arrogant smile.
