Vicious Little Darling (Love So Cruel #3)

24. Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

EMBER

“ H oly shit…” Megan just stares at me as I finish telling her everything. “That’s… That’s a lot to go through in a short amount of time. Maybe you should take some vacation time.”

“And do what? Hang out in Xander’s apartment? I literally can’t stay there forever.”

“But you’re together?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what we are. It’s impossible to know. It’s happening so fast, and I just don’t know what to think.”

Megan leans against the counter, her red hair spilling over her shoulder. “You could just be thankful that you met him when you did? I mean, granted, I think he fueled Josh’s ridiculous reaction. I’ve always known that Josh had feelings for you—and I knew he was a bad seed, too.”

My jaw drops. “So why the hell would you not tell me that?” I throw my hands in the air, able to show my true emotions thanks to the empty store. Rich is out running errands. I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to have to try and find the right words for me.

“I don’t know! You’ve known Josh for way longer than I have, and the two of you have always been so close… Plus, you know, sometimes I read people wrong. You seemed to trust him so easily.”

“That’s concerning,” I mutter, letting out a ragged breath. “What if I’m reading Xander all wrong? What if he’s not a good guy either?”

“Don’t let what’s happened to you, ruin what you’ve found. You always said you’d never spend the night with Josh…. Why?” She gives me a knowing look, and I shrug.

“I don’t know.”

“Exactly, but I think you have your own intuition, too. It’s just not screaming as loudly as mine was.”

“But you didn’t say anything,” I reason.

“I’m sorry. Had I known… I just didn’t…” Megan’s voice trails off as she frowns. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be saying anything like this right now. You’ve been through hell, and here I am trying to say I told you so.”

I give her a smile and run my chipped black fingernails along the counter. “Nah, it’s okay. I think I knew deep down that something wasn’t totally right with Josh this whole time, but I just… I never thought…” My voice breaks and tears slip down my cheeks.

Megan rushes around the counter and wraps me up into a hug.

“I’m so sorry Josh is such an asshole. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. It’s not fair at all, especially after… Well, you know.”

I sniffle, batting away the tears. I didn’t tell her that I slept with the guy who tried to murder me willingly . I didn’t tell her that we had sex twice. I didn’t tell her that I wanted him. I still don’t know why I wanted him. I like Xander though. I like him a lot and feel the same intense attraction to him.

And he didn’t care what I’d done.

I blow out a sharp breath as Megan backs away, and my eyes drift toward the door. Part of me expects Josh to come looking for me, trying to make a million excuses for what happened, but at the same time… I don’t think he’d have the nerve to show up at the bookstore—or even guess that I’m here.

Does he know where Xander lives? Would he show up there? I rake my fingers through my hair as I move towards the box of books that need to be distributed throughout the store.

“You don’t have to do that,” Megan says, frowning. “It’s totally okay for you to just hang out and let the day pass. You won’t hear me complain.”

I wave her off. “No, that’s okay. I need something to take my mind off everything.”

She nods. “Whatever you need, Em, and if you need to stay somewhere else, don’t feel trapped at Xander’s. I can come and get you. I have a couch you’d fit on just fine.”

I laugh. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

With that, I busy myself with putting up the books and trying to pass the time. I don’t want to think about Josh, but for some reason, my mind replays all of the times little red flags popped up and I ignored them.

I just thought he was protective. But protective looks different with Xander. He doesn’t berate me for anything. He doesn’t judge me for where I live or how I live. Of course, I guess he could change… But Josh has always been like that. From the very beginning.

***

“He’s outside,” Megan calls from the front of the store. “Black Mercedes, right?”

“Right.” My heart skips a beat and I glance down at my watch. He’s right on time. I emerge from the back and peer out through the window. Sure enough, his car is pulled alongside the curb, waiting for me. I don’t know why it feels so fucking nice, but it does.

“Let me know if you need anything,” Megan holds out my purse. “And try not to worry about Josh. Burn that bridge and never go back, girl. Start a new life with your new rich man, and I’ll cheer you on.”

“Thanks,” I laugh, shaking my head as I go out the front door. I jog to the curb, and Xander is already there, opening the door for me. “Thank you.”

He grabs my hand, stopping me before I can slide in. “You’re not getting away that easy.” Xander chuckles, as he draws my mouth to his, kissing me lightly before letting me go.

My face flushes as the memories of last night come flooding back. However, in the moment, they seem to mix with other, darker ones. I shake the feelings off and climb into the car, pulling the seatbelt across my lap and buckling in.

Jaxton Alexander Marks. Josh’s use of his full name comes rushing back to my mind, and I can’t help but stare at Xander as he climbs back into the car. In all the mess, I hadn’t even remembered what I’d learned.

“Hungry?” Xander asks, reaching over and grabbing my hand.

I hesitate, biting down on my lower lip. “Actually… Um… I have a question.”

He puts the car back in park, as if he senses that it’s going to be important.

“Okay. Shoot. I’m ready.”

Xander’s expression is difficult for me to read in the moment, and I can’t tell if he’s nervous or completely at ease.

“When I was with Josh, he said your full name is Jaxton Alexander Marks.”

Xander’s brow furrows. “Okay… I mean, that would be correct. I go by Jax or Xander. My family all call me Jax, but sometimes it’s nice to disassociate from my shit family. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you my full name sooner?” He seems confused, and I start to feel stupid.

“He also said you were connected to a drug cartel.” I blurt the words out, but it sounds so freaking ridiculous I feel silly for even asking. It’s outlandish to think—

“Yes, that’s right.” Xander’s words cut right through my thoughts.

“What?” I can’t hide my shock. “I thought he was just fucking with my head.”

Xander shakes his head. “He wasn’t. It’s the truth. My mom was a fucking junkie. She got my dad to do the drugs he sold, and then she killed him with them. I moved in with my uncle and he tried to get my mom help, but she didn’t want it. She’s a fucking horrible person, honestly. I’m not hiding who I am from you. I’m not involved with that. I have my father’s inheritance, but that’s it. I’m not in the drug business, Ember.”

I nod slowly, slightly relieved. “Thanks for being so honest.”

He narrows his eyes at me, and then puts the car in gear, before pulling away from the curb. “Do you have any more questions for me? I’ll answer whatever it is. I’m not going to lie to you. That’s not how I want us to work.”

“Not right now. I just want to go home,” I say, letting out a sigh. He squeezes my hand, and we make the rest of the trip in silence, not speaking again until I’m safely inside the penthouse. Something about the place is so comforting. It wraps me up in a warmth that I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Wine?” Xander offers as he opens the fridge.

My stomach knots up. “I don’t think so. I’m still trying to get over last night.”

He frowns but nods. “That’s a good point. What do you want for dinner?”

My legs clench, and even in the soreness, I know the exact thing I want.

“Actually, maybe we could put dinner off till later?” I suggest, walking around the island to meet him. I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his jaw, my skin brushing the stubble on his face.

He lets out a groan as I run my hand down his chest, feeling his taut muscles flex beneath his shirt.

“Jesus, Ember. The things you do to me.” His hands run down my sides as his breaths pick up, my lips slipping down his jaw to his neck. “Holy fuck.”

“Isn’t this better than dinner?” I giggle, slipping my hands up the front of his shirt. He instantly stills, grabbing my hands and pulling them down.

“We should give your body a rest,” he rasps. “You’ve been through a lot today. I don’t think it’s a good idea…”

I swallow the rejection, confusion riddling my mind. “Oh… Um… Right… But…”

He leans his head into the nape of my neck, kissing my neck. “I can see how sore you are, too. Let’s give it a rest. We can fuck all night tomorrow.”

I nod, pulling away from him. “Yeah, sure. Okay.”

I try to hide my disappointment and hurt from him, but I know it’s written all over my face.

“I think I’ll go take a shower then.”

He nods, his eyes downcast and avoiding mine. “I’ll make dinner.”

As soon as I walk away from him, fresh tears slip down my cheeks.

Does he think there’s something wrong with me now?