CHAPTER 16
~Xena's POV~
For a moment, I couldn't even find the words to respond to Skye. My throat felt tight, the memories of the entire ridiculous day still messed up in my head like loose wires sparking against each other.
"Xena…?" Skye's voice nudged, pulling me from my train of thought. "Why are you suddenly quiet? You sound like you're hiding something."
"I'm not hiding…"
"Lie," she cut in immediately. "Your voice goes soft when you're lying. Spill it, girl. Tell me your juicy secrets."
I could swear she was grinning or wiggling her brows.
I sighed, leaning my head back against the taxi window as the city blurred past. "It's… complicated."
"Complicated is my favourite flavour. Talk."
I dragged a hand down my face. She wasn't going to let it go; she never did. "Fine. I almost had… a fight."
"With who?"
I hesitated. "My director."
Skye gasped like she'd been waiting her whole life for this kind of drama. "XENA. No. Tell me everything right now. And did you say Director? You've landed a job?"
"Yeah. I did at last. Just yesterday though."
"Damn! That's huge!"
I couldn't help myself and giggled. "Yes, thanks. And…" I continued reluctantly, "a baker."
"A—what now?!" She burst out laughing. "Girl, how did you manage to piss off your boss and a baker in the same day? That's talent."
"I didn't piss anyone off," I muttered. "They were just… acting insane."
She inhaled sharply. "Okay, now I'm invested. What happened after you left the office?"
So I told her—every awkward, chaotic part. The confrontation. The jealousy. The tension. And then… the kiss.
Dead silence followed instantly.
Then Skye screamed into the phone. "NO WAY. XENA WINTER. You got KISSED?!"
"Skye, lower your voice—"
"Oh my God! My girl, who hasn't touched a man since that scumbag Lewis Davis four years ago, now has two handsome hunks practically fighting over her? I'm crying. This is elite-level romance."
I rolled my eyes even though I was smiling. "They're not interested in me. Xavier was obviously just trying to make my boss jealous."
"Whatever helps you sleep better at night."
"You're impossible."
"And you're in denial," she singsonged. "Anyway, my brother will call you soon about the lawsuit you want to file."
"Thank you. Seriously."
"You're welcome." Just then the taxi honked for an incoming vehicle, triggering Skye's next question. "Where are you now?"
"Almost home. Picking Skai from my neigbour's, then heading to the hospital… and rereading that entire contract because I swear I didn't sign my life away." I paused, realizing I was still on the phone. "I'll call you later, okay? Before you come back."
"Good. Keep me posted on Nancy… and your hotties."
Her teasing made me laugh despite the stress twisting in my stomach.
"If you need anything again, just let me know, okay?"
"I will, thanks."
By the time the taxi stopped, I felt slightly lighter. I picked up Skai from Mrs. Bennet's apartment. Her warm smile and the smell of stew that drifted from her kitchen grounded me more than anything else.
Inside my place, I dropped my bag onto the couch and guided Skai toward her toys. I was heading into the kitchen to fix something small for us to eat when a sound pulled my attention.
Knock. Knock.
The sound froze me in place. My heart jumped once, then twice.
My eyes, inexplicably, shot straight toward the washing machine.
I didn't even know why… but something about that knock felt wrong or maybe… too familiar.
I froze halfway into the kitchen when I heard the knock again, like the person outside had all the time in the world.
Skai glanced up from the floor, but she was too busy arranging her dolls to pay much attention. I wiped my palms on my jeans, walked to the door, and peered through the peephole. "Who is it?"
I didn't see anyone, just the shadow of someone who didn't stand directly in view. My heart skipped. "Hello?" I called and was met with silence.
I swallowed and slowly opened it just enough to peek out. "Yes? Who are you, and how can I help you…"
The man stepped forward before I could finish, his presence filling the doorway. He was tall… taller than anyone I'd ever stood in front of, except for Xavier, and built like someone who didn't have to try to intimidate.
His cold, unreadable silver-grey eyes landed on me. "You have something that belongs to us," he said without introduction.
My hand tightened on the door, a bity distracted by his black hair with burgundy highlights at the tip.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you should check the next flat."
"No," he replied. "I know you have the briefcase. So let's skip the part where you pretend you don't."
My heart thudded painfully. "Did Liam send you? Are you working for Liam?"
He let out a short, humourless breath. "I don't work for Liam. And Liam doesn't work for me."
For some reason, that didn't make me feel any better. Rather, it made me feel worse. "I don't have any business with you," I said quickly and tried to close the door.
The door hit something solid and refused to shut.
I looked down and saw his black, heavy boot wedged firmly between the door and the frame. Dressed in a black tuxedo, he exuded the kind of dread that sent shivers down one's spine.
I gulped, unsure what kind of mess I had gotten myself into by not giving this to Liam.
Was he lying, and did Liam actually send him?
Tch! I should have known that his maintaining radio silence meant I was in soup.
Within seconds, cold beads of sweat trickled down the slope of my face as I wondered what the next action I was to take.
Before I could shout, he pushed it open and stepped in like it was his living room. He closed the door behind him, shutting us alone together.
I backed up instinctively. He didn't follow; he just watched.
"Let's try this again, shall we?" he said in a calmer voice than before, which somehow scared me more.
"If you want the police and a mafia group knocking on this door tonight, you can hold on to the briefcase. But if you want all that to go away, now is the right time to hand it over."