All Chapters of Rising From the Ashes: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Back at the house, Xavier made us dinner, and it was truly amazing. He could easily be a cook, if he wasn't already so busy with his business. I find my mouth watering whenever Xavier cooks. I know his meals will always be fantastic. Later in the evening, we retreated to the living room. Xavier started a fire in the fireplace, and wrapped me in a blanket. Sitting next to me on the couch, I leaned into him as we spend the night talking. Not once did he pry about my horrible past. Rather instead we talked about things like our hopes, dreams, and ambitions.It was truly relaxing. I had never really taken the time to think about what I had wanted. But soon I found myself drifting off into a dreamland where anything was possible. At one point I begin to feel my eyelids getting heavy. No longer having the strength to fight to keep them open, I let sleep overtake me. I'm transported back to my house. I'm looking out from the backyard. I try to move. I try to urg

Xavier picks up his momentum, and follows close behind me. We continue running together until we finally reach the cabin after the last lap. My body is so tired, that I immediately collapse to the ground in exhaustion.Without fault, Xavier is at my side, before I can reach the ground. Picking me up in his strong arms. He brings me into the cabin, and takes me upstairs, placing me in the bathtub, slowly removing my clothes. He fills the tub up with warm water to allow my body to relax. Leaving me momentarily to get me a bottle of water.Too tired to move, Xavier carefully tips the bottle, so the water is going in my mouth. He then removes his clothes, and gets in behind me, scrubbing my body with a body sponge. I can feel my body relax from his touch. I begin to sink closer to him, letting sleep overwhelm me. Not too long later, and I've passed out from exhaustion in Xavier's embrace. I wake up a few hours later. I look around, to see that I'm tucked in my

“Baby..” He attempts to stammer out.“That.. that was incredible.”“I’ve never had that much pleasure in my life. How did you know how to do all of that?” He pulls me closer to him, to rest on his chest. I shrug my shoulders as I look him in the eyes. “I didn’t.” “What? But how?” He exclaims in surprise. “You told me how.”I place a finger on his lips to silence him, before he tries to question me. I then go on to explain. “I read your body. Certain movements would trigger you. I discovered a few of your turn ons so far, that’s all. While you may say otherwise, I know you love it, when I tease you."“You’re not wrong there.” He says with a wink.“So you have me all figured out huh?&rdquo

I find myself in an alleyway. No one around me. I pull the blanket close to me, as I continue to walk the deserted alleyway. Distracted from my thoughts, I don't realize that someone has followed me. I turn to rest my back along the wall, and plan on slipping down to burry my head in my arms. Suddenly, there's a hand clasped around my mouth, a strong hold is pressing me further into the wall. I look up to see a disheveled man holding me tight. His other hand wrapping around my throat. He looks me up and down. "What do we have here?" He spits at me, his breath fowl from decay."It seems today is my lucky day." Scared, I stand still, not able to move, focusing on keeping my breath steady."It looks like I won't even need to work for this one." His free hand lowers to pull the blanket off of me, exposing my bare chest. I close my eyes in anticipation for what will come next.'I'm so stupid! Why did I ru

...Ryker POV...Xavier called me to let me know that Lexi had been stabbed. I couldn't believe it. I was absolutely furious. How could he let her be injured like this? I'm starting to regret leaving her with Xavier. I had thought that she would be safer, but it appears Xavier is getting her mixed up in our business. I had thought that Xavier would keep her out of it. Hearing that she had been stabbed, was like a knife to the heart.I can't let this happen again. I need to make sure she's safe. I need to just get her out of here. Maybe if she's away from all of us, away from Cortina, perhaps she will live the happy life she's supposed to have. As I make my way to Xavier's house, I start making plans to get her away from all of this. The first thing I do is call Noah. He is my right hand man apart from Xavier. Noah is the Scorpion's third in command. Noah was the one that took care of the Scorpions when Xavier's father had passed away. "Noah