Page 21 of Falling for Her Protector

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I take a long pull from my straw, letting the sweet cold coffee coat my tongue as we walk into the clubhouse. My eyes begin to adjust as I search the room for Xavier, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

“Ladies,” Pax greets us with a broad grin. “What’d ya bring me?” he asks.

“Cookies and they’re for everyone,” Lacey announces as she sets the box down on the bar. “And Stone, call your mom. She misses you,” she adds with a light laugh.

“Ehh, I’m sure she doesn’t miss me that much,” he steps up and digs into the box of cookies.

“Wait, that’s your mom?” I ask and he nods, taking a big bite out of a chocolate chip cookie.

“She just gave Vanessa a job,” Lacey shares, her face lighting up when she sees Mikey walk into the room. She moves quickly across the floor in his direction, weaving into his arms. “I’ve got to leave for work. Where’s that brother of mine?” I hear her ask Mikey in a hushed voice as I climb up onto a bar stool and spread my papers out over the surface.

“He ran out about an hour ago. He said he was heading over to talk to your pops about something, but he should be back soon. Why?” I hear him tell her.

“Because I’m leaving Vanessa here, but I don’t just want to leave her stranded,” I hear her explain and my stomach tightens. I know they’re all overly concerned, but I am an adult and I don’t need a fucking babysitter. This is starting to get ridiculous.

Lacey steps up beside me, and Mikey moves in behind the bar, reaching into the cooler for a beer. I watch him pop the top and take a long pull from the bottle.

“If you don’t feel like sitting out here, you can always go into X.’s room. I’m sure he won’t mind,” Lacey offers.

“I’m good here,” my response is a little short, my annoyance starting to come through.

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” she grins before leaning over the bar and giving Mikey one more kiss before leaving.

“Whatcha got here, chickie?” Mikey questions noticing my paperwork. He missed Lacey’s announcement when we first walked in.

“Employment forms. I just got a job,” I announce proudly.

“What?” X.’s booming voice hits my ear as his single word question fills the room. I turn on my stool and his eyes are dark when he lifts his sunglasses. He’s angry.At me?

Three large steps and he’s towering over me. His eyes move over my forms as his hand comes down, touching the papers and spreading them out.

“How was the visit with your dad?” Mikey tries to intervene, but it’s no use. X. completely ignores his question, his eyes still focused on me.

“I thought you were going to wait? I thought we were going to talk about this?” his questions are rough and I feel frozen under his glare, completely unable to form words.

“Hey, Pres. Maybe you should give the girl a break,” Pax tries.

“And maybe you should mind your own fucking business,” X. growls back, shooting him a look that has Pax quickly dropping his head and walking away.

This isn’t the same Xavier who left me this morning. Something has clearly changed. His focus shifts back to the sheets of paper scattered across the bar. I watch as he picks them up, fanning them out between his fingers.

“It fuckin’ figures. Get a job, make some easy money, and get the fuck up outta here, right?” he says, almost like he’s talking to himself. He tosses my papers, and I watch them float to the ground as he turns and stomps away without another word.

Hot tears well up on my lower lids, but I don’t want to fall apart here. I bite my bottom lip and hold my breath as Mikey carefully picks up my papers and sets them back on the surface in front of me.

“Sorry, darlin’. I really don’t think that had anything to do with you, or with you getting a job. X. and his dad have a real love-hate relationship. He tends to come back in a pissy mood anytime he pays his pops a visit,” Mikey says, but it doesn’t make it sting any less.

I fold my papers in half, no longer feeling the excitement. X.’s outburst has ruined my mood and the room is slowly beginning to close in around me. I slip from my stool and step towards the door.

“Where you headed?” Mikey asks behind me.

“I just need some air,” I reply without turning around.

Stepping outside, I pull a deep breath in, letting the fresh air fill my lungs as my head spins. My fingers lift to wipe my eyes, trying to remove any tears from potentially escaping. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I can’t be here right now. I let my feet hit the sidewalk, hoping to clear my head.

14

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