Page 7 of Dangerous Liaisons

His gaze shot back to hers. “I came by to make sure you were okay at the request of my president. Kira stormed in like her ass was on fire and started a fight with one of our regulars after kissing his girlfriend.”

Stunned, she opened her mouth to speak.

“And my damn name is Xavier. You can knock it off with that stuck up shit.”

“I am not stuck up! You will not speak to me that way.” She hesitated. “Is Kira okay?”

“When I left, she was heading to the back with Eddie, so yeah, I’d say she’s okay.”

With a long sigh, she motioned him to follow her toward the kitchen. “My apologies. I told her to stay away from your club.”

“She doesn’t listen to you very well.”

“No, she doesn’t,” she mumbled. She pulled open the freezer door to retrieve a bottle of Stoli. “Interest you in a drink since you’re here?”

“I don’t drink vodka.”

“I think the words you’re looking for are no, thank you.” She shot him a look before dropping ice into the glass and pouring in the liquid.

Xavier casually leaned against the opposite counter. “No, thanks.”

She sipped the vodka as she echoed his stance, readjusting her robe. “I’m fine.”

“You’re a fucking liar. You’ve been crying, and while you’re good at hiding it, I can tell you’ve also had a little too much of that vodka already.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not asking your opinion on the matter.” She sipped the liquor longer this time. “Why I’m crying is no concern of yours. While I appreciate the kind gesture, you can leave now if that’s the extent of your business.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” He pushed away from the counter. “You’re a spoiled brat, you know that?”

“That’s rich coming from a moody, overgrown lackey.”

“Not to act childish, but you fucking started it, lady. All I did was ask you a question; you’re the one gettingdefensive about it.”

“You do not come into my home unannounced and insult me.” She slammed the glass down on the counter so violently it was a shock that it didn’t shatter. “I don’t care if you are with the MC or not!”

“Hunter told me that your husband was murdered. How?”

Shocked, she stared at him. “You do not get to ask me that!”

Xavier stepped closer until they were inches away, towering over her by a foot. “How did he die, Isabella?”

“What does it matter?”

“You come into my town and demand shit from my club. Act like we should be grateful the fucking Russian cartel hands us crumbs. You want us to trust you? Answer my damn question.”

“I-”

“Answer my question!”

“A rival cartel shot him! They broke into our house in the middle of the night and shot him in right front of me.”

His hard expression shifted, his furrowed eyebrows relaxing from surprise at the answer. “Where was Kira?”

“She was protecting my son.” She fought to control her breathing as she pressed back against the counter to put distance between them, despite knowing there was none. His arms had trapped her there, hands pressed flat against the cold marble. “I made her take him away as soon as the attack started, and I went looking for my husband.”

“Whywould you do that?”

“Please don’t ask me these things.”