Chapter Sixty-five: Ghosts From My Past

Rei’s Point of View

Two hours passed faster than I imagined, and we finally showered and dressed to return to my place. I helped Xavier change the sheets on his bed and secretly hoped Grace had done the same for me. My best friend also told me she had cleaned up my room and ensuite bathroom, so I had nothing to worry about. Aamon had come over to meet the kids and things had gone smoothly. I was looking forward to meeting him, too. Anyone that had captured my best friend’s heart must be pretty special.

I was waiting for Grace's text and picture when an unknown text came. I didn’t open messages from people I didn’t recognize—not after I’d inadvertently gotten a nasty virus doing that on my laptop. I ignored it and waited for Grace or Shiloh to message me that they had arrived safely at Aamon’s home.

As we left Xavier’s apartment, I had the weirdest feeling that we were being watched. I looked around but didn’t see anyone. Xavier looked at me concerned and asked if I was okay, and I responded that I was because what else could I say. It’s not like I could say that I felt like someone was watching me. That would make me sound crazy.

I held on to Xavier as he took the longer route home. We never did get a text from Grace or Shiloh before leaving Xavier’s apartment, but I trusted they were fine. I’d be worried otherwise. The rush of wind against my face was exhilarating as Xavier revved up his motorcycle along the winding roads. The sensation of wind against me as Xavier sped along the road on his bike was incredible. It truly felt like I was flying, and in that moment, I finally understood why Matt, Tom, and Xavier referred to cars as "cages."

As we pulled into the gas station, I noticed a car pulling in behind us. It could have been a coincidence, but it didn't feel right. I considered telling Xavier about it, but I didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing, so I dismissed the feeling. Instead, I watched as he filled his tank with gasoline, amazed by how something so volatile was contained just inches away from him while he drove.

My phone vibrated, and I checked my messages to find a text from Grace. Finally, she messaged me. I clicked on the message to discover that the boys would be sharing a room, and Shiloh was staying in the room next door. It made me wonder how many extra rooms this man had in his house. The photo in the background showed them in what appeared to be a game room, complete with a large-screen TV and gaming system. I could already picture Grace struggling to get the boys to bed after enjoying playing their video games in that room!

“Everything okay?” Xavier asked.

I nodded and showed him Grace's message. He smiled, and as I put away the phone, I noticed that the car that had pulled into the gas station was just watching us.

Tell him.

That little voice inside my head spoke louder than usual, so I sighed and leaned closer to Xavier to whisper that I thought the car parked was watching us. Very casually, my boyfriend looked in that direction as he put his wallet away, and his eyes looked troubled. Maybe I wasn’t being crazy after all.

“We’re going to stay on the main roads the rest of the way to your place but take an extended route to see if they are following us. If I need to go faster, I’ll warn you by squeezing your hand, ok?” Xavier said.

I nodded anxiously. Something felt off, and I didn’t know how to explain it other than we needed to get away from that vehicle. It was an average-looking older car with a group of young guys inside it. They seemed rough and intimidating, not people I would ever want to encounter alone, even while working at the hospital.

“Before we go, I just need to text a friend. Can you reply to Grace so that she knows we’re headed back to your house?” Xavier asked.

Xavier looked concerned as he scrolled through his contacts and selected someone who started with the letter E. My boyfriend then turned away from me to text a rather long message while I sent a quick one to Grace.

I glanced back at the car and could have sworn that one of the men inside nudged the driver and licked his lips while staring at me. Then, the guy made direct eye contact with me, smirked, and winked. I quickly averted my gaze. I had dealt with unwanted attention from creeps before, both at work and when out alone, but I always made sure to be aware of my surroundings, keep my head up, and have my phone ready in case I needed to call for help. So far, I have been lucky. I’d never had to deal with anything more than someone yelling out something disgusting or making an obscene gesture at me.

A few moments later, a police cruiser pulled into the gas station parking lot beside the car. The driver scowled in Xavier’s direction, and my boyfriend stared back, unflinching. I wondered what was going on. Did they know each other?

“Do you know those guys?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Not anymore, but I used to,” Xavier muttered before putting his helmet on and getting on his bike.

I quickly wrapped my arms around him because it looked like my boyfriend was hurrying to get out of there and away from that car, even with a police officer present. Xavier rode faster than usual and squeezed my hand before accelerating more as I heard gunshots fired as we flew down the road.

Ethan Steele’s Point of View

“We have a problem, Kazimierz. Xavier just texted me,” I rushed out when my old friend answered his phone.

“I know. My enforcers, assigned to watch my granddaughter and Xavier, alerted me of the nuisance recently released from prison. I wonder why they are targeting Xavier now,” the Don muttered sarcastically.

“Does anyone know where Lillianna is?” I asked.

“Right now? No,” Kzimierz whispered with a touch of dread in his voice.