Chapter Twenty-One, Wild Venom

Unknown Point of View

I felt uneasy about making the call. I disliked feeling indebted to others, especially in my line of work. But my loyalty to her was the only reason I even considered it. I couldn't bear letting history repeat itself and seeing Rei suffer the consequences. I owe it to her and the kids to make things right.

I relished the rich, bold flavors of the last sip of rye whiskey in my glass before quickly pouring another. It struck me how much I had sacrificed to ensure her safety. I should have intervened when Rei became involved with Greg Ravenscroft, but I had hoped to foster her independence and self-assurance. The only silver linings from that situation were Shiloh, Onyx, and Salem.

When Greg decided to end his relationship with Rei, it became necessary to sever ties with everyone involved. The aftermath was challenging to untangle, but it had to be done. I had been a silent guardian for Rei since she turned 18, keeping a promise to her real father. Xavier had feelings for Rei while they were growing up, but he never acted on them, so I had never considered it a concern. However, his unexpected involvement in Rei Draven's life now made the situation much more complicated than Xavier could have imagined.

After Xavier and Lillianna thought they had successfully resolved Rei's issues, the burden of cleaning up after them fell on me. As I finished my second glass of rye whiskey, I couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh and a frustrated groan. It dawned on me just how much chaos Lillianna could cause in this situation. Despite her nefarious tendencies, she was undeniably smitten with Xavier, even though she was fully aware that her affection wasn't reciprocated.

The ringing of my phone interrupted me, providing a welcome distraction from making that dreaded call.

"Hey, boss, Xavier has left. It seems Rei has given him her number, and it's pretty obvious that they are more than just friends," my source informed me.

“Did she look happy?” I asked wistfully.

My informant sighed, "Yeah, boss, she did," he said. "Are you certain that keeping them apart is the best action?"

"Absolutely, I'm certain," I replied to my informant before ending the call.

Greg Ravenscroft was a cruel and arrogant man who heartlessly mistreated Rei, his devoted and affectionate wife, just four years into their marriage. His attraction to a wealthy and influential woman with more resources than his family was completely anticipated. Greg saw an opportunity to ascend the social hierarchy and access even greater wealth than he already possessed. I saw an opportunity to remove him from the equation. Greg Ravenscroft and his family were wealthy, but their behavior was despicable. It had been for years. No one missed their presence when they were suddenly gone.

Xavier was the complete opposite of the despicable Greg Ravenscroft. Despite his admiration for Rei, he displayed genuine kindness and integrity. Throughout the years, Xavier attentively observed Rei, showing a deep fondness for her. Despite his affection, Xavier's actions demonstrated genuine care for Rei's well-being. Instead of exploiting the situation for personal gain by expecting reimbursement for towing and car repair costs, Xavier acted selflessly. He even ensured the mechanic's silence so Rei would never know who had helped her.

On that dark and stormy night, Xavier stopped to help Rei just before my employees could assist. They kept a close eye from a distance to ensure Rei's safety. Someone was always watching Rei Draven and her kids. I made sure of that.

It was no secret to me that Xavier had been quietly looking out for Rei for the past ten years, nurturing an unspoken affection for her. However, everything changed last night when he finally crossed a line.

I sat at the table, tapping my fingers restlessly as I stared at my phone. The decision to make this call weighed heavily on me. If I made the call, I knew I would have to assign additional personnel to watch Rei and the children closely. Lillianna, in particular, would need to be monitored. I didn't trust her. Although she had once been a valuable employee in my organization, she had become increasingly unreliable and posed a potential liability. Lillianna tended to stray from instructions, and it was clear that she had developed an unsettling fixation on Rei Draven, whether she was aware of it or not.

I couldn't stop thinking about Grace. Rei's best friend had no idea she was working for me. Neither she nor Lillianna knew who was in charge of the organization or who I reported to. While under my employment, I made sure everyone was well taken care of, but I handled betrayal ruthlessly. I made sure no one had a reason to betray me, and those who did became a distant memory.

Grace was the only person I had ever allowed to walk away from me. There was something about her beauty and inner strength that set her apart. I had never encountered anyone quite like her. She was a fierce, determined young woman. I had persuaded Grace to befriend Rei Draven and to encourage her to socialize. However, Grace didn't possess the same resilience for the sort of tasks that Lillianna effortlessly accomplished. She seemed too pure for the world she had become entangled in with Lillianna. Grace's true nature shone through when she came to Rei's aid after their paths crossed again, seemingly by "chance."

I deeply understood the longing for a soul that would balance one's life, harmonizing the light and the darkness within. I yearned for Grace but knew she could never be mine.  Not once did she realize who I really was when we were involved. When she chose to walk away, I had no choice but to let her go, accepting that she didn't belong in my world.

I took the necessary steps to ensure that Rei, the children, and Grace were watched over and protected. Then, I arranged for Xavier to be sent on another assignment as soon as possible. I knew this wouldn't resolve the growing bond between Rei and Xavier, but it would at least temporarily halt its progress.

The interference in the blossoming relationship between Xavier and Rei might seem cruel. It wouldn't have been such a big deal for them to be together if they were just two random people. But that wasn't the case. They were two people who could never be together. The promise I made to Rei's father ensured that. He was not someone you would betray, even in death.