Page 95 of Pervade London
James smiled pleasantly. “I’m going to make dinner. Come with me. I need to keep an eye on you.”
You can piss off.
“That’s an order,” he said.
Falling against Xavier’s chest with my violin pressed between us, I tried to catch my breath.
“It’s over.” Xavier pried the violin from my hands. “Em, let me put it somewhere safe.” He took it from me and placed it in its case.
“You broke into my hotel room and stole it?” I asked James.
“You mean the room I’m paying for,” he snapped.
I went over to the violin case and rested my hands on it protectively.
“Em told you what you wanted to know.” Xavier glared at him. “Now we can all relax.”
James straightened. “We’ll have dinner and then decide what happens next.”
“Seriously,” snapped Xavier. “A little more reassurance, please. And if you ever threaten her like that again…”
“She’s conspiring with outside forces,” said Ballad.
“You mean the police?” I said furiously.
“I lost a man tonight,” said James.
“I know,” soothed Xavier. “I’m sorry.”
“It could have been you.” James tugged on his left sleeve and then his right to straighten his pristine white shirt.
I stared at the sword resting on the table, a reminder of just how fucked in the head Ballad was.
James saw me looking at it and walked over and picked it up. After sheathing the weapon, he carried it over to the wall and hung it back up.
“I want to go home,” I said.
James mulled over it. “It’s on the agenda. But I could change my mind.”
I hugged myself, trying to warm my chilled flesh. “I want Xavier to take me.”
James gave a shrug. “I’ll consider it.”
I looked up at Xavier. “How’s your tummy?”
“Fine.” He hoisted his white shirt out of his trousers to show me.There was a faint mark on his toned abs.
Feeling guilty, I reached out and caressed the contusion. “I’m so sorry. It was meant for James.”
Xavier cringed. “Not a good thing to admit.”
James scoffed at my admission.
“I’m going to check on something,” said Xavier. “I’ll be right back.”
I hated seeing him walk away, leaving me alone with this man. “Can I come?”
He offered me an apologetic look. “Go with James.”
