Page 14 of Never To Suffer

“Xander, I—.” She bites her bottom lip and bounces on the balls of her feet.

“Say it.”

Her shoulders drop as she uncrosses her arms and lets them fall at her side. I pull her in and hug her tight, reassuring her because it’s what she needs. It’s what she always needs, even when she fights it. Dani likes people to think she’s a strong, independent woman, because she is. But even the strongest women need a shoulder to cry on and someone to boost them up now and again.

“Here? A safe place for me when it never offered sanctuary to you?”

“You came here wanting a fight, I get it. The world has pushed you to your limit lately, and you’re trying to reset. But,Dani, these aren’t the people you want to fight. However, if you wanna go clock Ginny, Dad would probably post your bail.”

“Can we go home now?” Dani whispers. “Or maybe out to the bar? I need my people.”

“Sure, Beetle. Soon. I need to stick around for a bit longer, so it’s not weird. Besides, if dad has a few more drinks, I might get out of the whole Japan trip thing.”

“How is it not already weird? We’re these broke ass kids loitering around. We’re not even worthy of being the help here.”

“Not true. That one guy tried to get me to take his coat. Remember?” She gives me a sideways glare. “Dani, stop. These are your rules we’re living by, remember?”

“Oh bullshit! Even before the rules, you didn’t want their handouts.” Her mouth drops open in anger and shock when what I said hits her before I can take the words back. “Wait! Are you saying it’s my fault you're now living this life?”

Shit. I walked into this.

“Beetle, please? You’re right, they’reourrules. I didn’t mean it like that. I promise, a few more minutes and you can have Steve and Ethan meet us at the bar.”

“You only wanna see Ethan.” She crosses her arms and pouts.

“Beetle, seriously? What the actual fuck do I have to do to make this right?”

Her face softens and her bottom lip trembles. It breaks my heart every time this happens.

“I’m doing it again, aren’t I. That thing where I freak out for no reason and push you away? I’m so sorry, Xander.”

“It’s alright, Beetle. Come on, I’ll find you something in the kitchen that’s more to your taste.” I give her a wink. “For the record, I’m not a fan of most of this food either. Frog legs gross me out. Who wants to eat Kermit’s legs?”

She wraps around me, burying her forehead in my neck as I kiss the top of her head. “Well, at least we didn’t break upthis time. Besides, what’s a Maxwell family gathering without something going on that offends me?”

“Atta girl. Hey, wanna sneak off to my old room and mess around like we used to?”

“They turned your old room into your dad’s office now, Xan.”

“Yeah, and? Bet you’d look real pretty while I sit in that giant leather chair of his and pretend I’m some kind of big executive and you’re the hot call girl on her knees.” Her eyes flick up and I watch the smirk grow. There’s my Beetle. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll bend you over that desk and have you for dinner.”

“Or maybe I’m the big executive, and if you behave, I’ll let you have a taste.”

“Hard bargain. Why don’t we try both options and compare notes?”

She bites her lip, pretending to think it over before she bolts up the set of stairs behind us. I dig into the pocket of my coat hanging in the front closet and pull out a condom. When I turn to follow her, I stop and grab one more…just in case.

CHAPTER 7

VOICES

DAMIANO DAVID

The bar isn’t a dive,or glitzy glam either, which makes it perfect for someone like me. In-between style bars like this care enough about the money to ensure patrons keep the peace and no one starts shit. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way, finding myself battered and bruised outside of the skeeviest of joints. And the poshest.

The hypnotic effect of watching the amber liquid swirl in my glass puts me into a state of zen. Part of that could be from the exhaustion, though. To my left sits a couple failing on a first date. To my right is a regular, here to watch the game and talk with the bartender, who’s likely one of his only friends.

My phone buzzes and I glance down at the screen.

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