Isabella~
"What's your name?" John's hungry eyes made me uncomfortable as I entered his house.
"Laura." Before I could come up with a convincing lie to John, Xavier spoke up.
"What's your relationship with her?" John's face seems angry at seeing Xavier following me inside his room.
"She is my wife." He sat across from me and placed his hand firmly on my shoulder. That surprised me—this protective aspect of him. I want to stop him from claiming me as his wife, but I know it's not the right time to argue, so I force a smile on my face. Goosebumps race down my spine as I feel his strong arm encircling my shoulder.
"If you're interested, I can show you other horses, but I've already sold that particular one." When John saw that Xavier was sitting next to me, he frowned.
"Mr. Martin, please don't say no to me; I like that horse." I got up from my place and sat next to John.
"Umm, let me think about how I can help you." He tried to touch my thigh. His hungry gaze irritates me greatly, but I have no choice but to flirt with John to learn more about Jordan Lucas. I didn't anticipate Xavier coming to the red light area to meet Jordan Lucas. I felt quite uneasy when I arrived at this location. However, meeting with Jordan Lucas is crucial for me to advance in this murder case, so I am resolute in my efforts to locate him.
"Mr. Martin, please give me the buyer's address." I requested him again. I held his hand in the air to prevent him from touching my thigh.
"Yes, that's a good idea, Miss Laura, but what will I get in return if I help you?" He gently brushed his thumb across my hand. His touch repulsed me, but I forced a smile to conceal my annoyance. John was intoxicated, and I clearly understood what he wanted from me in exchange for providing Jordan Lucas' address. Offer me his address first, and I'll offer you anything you desire. I attempted to free my hand from his firm hold.
"No, Miss Laura. I won't give you that man's address until you have made me happy." He tightened his grip on my wrist and lightly touched my jawline.
"Hey, stay away from my wife." Xavier kept glaring at me, full of rage, but I told him to keep quiet until I had Jordan Lucas's address. Upon witnessing John's forced behavior towards me, Xavier finally opened his mouth to intervene.
"Sit quietly and don't disturb us; otherwise, I will shoot you." He pointed his gun at Xavier.
The sight of the gun in his palm shocked me; I had no idea he was so intimidating. Panic overcame me as I realized he was about to kiss me.
"Don't dare to touch me." He grabbed both of my hands and attempted to kiss me, but I was able to stop him by covering his mouth with my palm. his one-handed pointing gun at Xavier. I struggled to escape this unexpected situation, but John's danger exceeded my imagination. I closed my eyes, trying not to look at his menacing visage, while the smell of alcohol filled my nose. I have never seen someone as beautiful as you; you look amazing. He inhaled in my neck's crook.
"Ouch. you bastard..."
I opened my eyes upon hearing a loud gunshot.
"Xavier, are you all right?" I stared at him in shock, noticing that his leg was bleeding.
"Run." He looked at John, who was holding his arm and whining in pain, and signaled for me to leave his house.
"But his address..."
"Stop this fucking nonsense and run." He grabbed my hand and dragged me out of John's house. The sound of the gun alerted John's neighbor, who hurried to catch up with us. We ran towards our car, ignoring the gun firing at us. Xavier accelerated the car to its maximum speed as the goons pursued us.
Xavier maneuvered the car into a narrow, dimly lit street and stopped there until the pursuing vehicles passed by. He started the car again and drove in the opposite direction of my house.
"Now, where are we heading?" I questioned him.
"Hotel." He kept his eyes fixed on the road.
"What hotel? I want to go back to my house." I was filled with fear after hearing him speak.
"Use some brain now, Bella. How could you be so stupid? The thugs following us may attack you at night if they find out where you live." He clenched the steering wheel tightly.
"But why a hotel?" Observing him in such rage made me tremble. I had never seen his protective, angry, and now caring sides together, but today, in one night, I witnessed all the different sides of him I had always wanted to see but had never had the opportunity to.
I got out of the car in front of the hotel at his command. Although I was hesitant to stay with him in the hotel, I didn't know what to do. He opened the door and motioned for me to come in. I wondered how the entire hotel staff knew him so well after noticing that he was well-known to them all.
"I'm heading to the shower. You can relax on the bed. I'll take a nap on the couch." He locked the room's door, opened his closet, pulled out his pajamas, and proceeded to the restroom without even looking at me.
I don't know what made him angry, but his voice was full of rage.
After setting my bag down on the side table, I looked around the hotel room. Xavier's belongings in the room gave the impression that he lived there. I noticed the size of the couch and wondered how his bulky figure would fit into such a tiny space. It already feels awkward to spend my night with him in the same room, but I don't want him to get into trouble because of me.
I took a seat on the couch and checked my wristwatch. It's already 3 a.m. As I opened my phone, I found 20 missed calls on my phone.
Should I call him and share all the details of what happened? No, I can't tell him that I am spending my night with Xavier. I put my phone on silent and stared at the bathroom's closed door. I couldn't understand why he was spending so much time in the bathroom. It was hard to fall asleep after closing my eyes because my mind was racing about today.