Chapter Two

The culprit

Janessa's pov

"Long time no see... Miss Collins." He took off his mask, revealing himself.

Now I knew why his presence had seemed so familiar.

Two months before, Eric had eliminated a small, rising mafia family simply because they had betrayed him. He'd spared some of them, but killed their leader.

"Now do you remember me?"

"Oscar, Is this your way of thanking my fiancé for being so… generous? I'll be sure to mention it, tell him you appreciate his hospitality."

His face tightened, and he pulled out a gun, pointing it right at us.

"I remember how you all killed my brother! Xavier was the one who finished him, and Eric just stood there, watching like it was a show,” He then directed the gun at me. “I wonder if your boss would feel the same pain if I kill his precious fiance"

Xavier just glared. "You ungrateful idiot. You're digging your own grave, Oscar. Choosing to go down the same path as your brother."

Out of nowhere, Xavier pulled out a small explosive and tossed it. We scrambled back into the car as it blew up, flames shooting up high. We drove far away from the explosion, Xavier then stopped at the roadside and examined me.

"I'm taking you to the hospital," Xavier said, checking the scratch on my forehead and the blood on my elbow.

"It's fine, really. Just a scratch."

"Stop being stubborn and let me take care of it!"

"Okay, okay…"

We sped off, leaving the mess behind. He drove to Eric's private hospital—super discreet location.

When we got there, Xavier just picked me up. "Put me down! I can walk!"

"Just hold still," he said, holding me tight.

I hid my face, trying to ignore the stares from the nurses. It was embarrassing.

The nurses were gossiping. "Is that Xavier Lopez? He's even more handsome in person!"

Another nurse giggled. "Seriously! Any woman would melt… He could totally be the father of my kids."

Seriously? Can't these nurses just do their jobs instead of drooling over my man?

The doctor, this nervous guy, carefully cleaned and bandaged my cuts, shaking under Xavier's stare.

"Xavier, can you give us a minute? You're making the doctor uncomfortable."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Call me if you need anything, okay? I'll be right outside." He patted my head and left.

The doctor whispered as he worked. "Miss Collins… Why is he acting like your boyfriend? He needs to remember his place—he's just your fiancé's underboss."

I looked down. "You're reading too much into it. He's just worried Eric will get mad if something happens to me.”

"Makes sense…"

If only I could tell the world I'm yours.

As soon as the doctor left, Xavier was back. "Still hurting?”

I hugged him tight. "I told you, I'm tough!"

He chuckled, kissing my head. "Always so stubborn… If I could just tell the world you're mine, I would."

I noticed his knuckles were all bruised. I touched them, and he flinched. "Why didn't you get the doctor to look at these?"

"It's nothing. I just… I don't like people touching me." He pulled his hand away.

"Don't be ridiculous. Sit," I said, pushing him onto the bed.

I grabbed the stuff and cleaned his hands, then wrapped them up and brushed my hands against his and I could feel his heart racing.

Is it from the ambush earlier or is it because I'm too close to him?

“All done,” I kissed his cheeks.

"You're such a tease…”

His phone buzzed. "Gotta take this, okay?"

I nodded, and he stepped out, talking low. I got curious and eavesdropped.

The voice on the other end sounded like my cousin, Roy.

Xavier said, "Did you find the culprit yet?"

"Got him. I deserve a raise, man. I'll send you the address."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever…" He hung up.

The culprit? Were they talking about the one who attacked us earlier—so Oscar wasn't alone in this?

"Janessa, I know you're out there. Come on."

He turned, saw me, and I laughed nervously. "Just curious… Can I come with you?”

"No, you can't."

"I want to!"

We argued, and I won, like always. He finally gave in, and we headed to the hideout—some creepy, unmarked building outside the city. We went down to the basement, and it smelled bad that I can't explain. In the middle of the room, a guy was tied to a chair, covered in blood. A single light bulb barely lit up the place.

Roy approached us and looked at me from up to down. "Xavier... Why did you bring her here? What a burden."

"She insisted," Xavier replied.

Me, a burden?! This jerk... I would end him if it weren't for the fact that he's my cousin.

I forced a smile. “Sorry if I’m such a burden, Roy.”

I looked around at the makeshift prison. Cages lined the walls, filled with scared people. Hostages. Xavier made me wait near the entrance, but I could see through the bars. Xavier took off his jacket and pointed a gun at the guy's head.

"Who ordered you to kill us? I'm telling you, I'm not like Eric... I spare no life."

The guy laughed, a weak sound, his face bloody.

"Last chance," Xavier said, pulling a knife. He stabbed the guy in the chest.

"Ahhh! You'll get nothing from me!" he screamed.

Xavier nodded to Roy, who came back, shoving a woman into the room. She was blindfolded and tied up.

"You monsters! Let my sister go!" the guy yelled.

Roy laughed. "Let her go? Sure. You talk, she walks."

The guy didn't say anything. Xavier raised the knife, about to stab the woman, but the guy screamed, "STOP! I'll tell you everything, just… don't hurt her!”

Xavier and Roy looked at each other and told their guys to take the woman away.

"Now," Xavier said, his voice cold. "Who gave the order?" Roy turned on the recorder.