Xavier's POV Holding on to the last strand of sanity and restraint I have, I spin to face the sad excuse of a man as my lips turn up in a wide smirk. I know that he is trying to unravel me so all my logic and rational thinking will fly out the window and I'll make a fool out of myself.  "Why hello to you too, Father." Bringing the cup of cold liquid to my lips I take a sip. I smirk at him over the brim much to his dissatisfaction. "You should try the punch dad. It's known to cure jackasses like yourself."  His blue orbs grow even colder as he practically seethes in his own skin. Something that happens whenever he gets angry. 

Xavier's POV "I need you to find out about," I loosen my strip tie as I stare out at the Seattle skyline. "Zoey's ex-fiancé, Troy Sinclair. I think he's the one who might have abused her a year ago. If he did, when you find him, I'd like for us to have a long chat." My head turns from the window when my office door bursts open revealing the one person I rather not see right now. I watch as the man crosses the threshold and enters the room, banging the door shut behind him.  "Call me the second you find anything," I bite out before hanging up. Turning away from the picturesque view of Seattle with both of my hands buried inside my pants pockets, I face the man I loathed for years, who's now standing in the middle of my office. "I'm sorry, b

Zoey's POV I dash into the next available stall like a mad woman and slam the door shut behind me. I immediately turn my nose up at the repulsive smell of rancid vomit and urine lingering in the stale air.  I instinctively lock the tiny stall door, although it provides no assurance that my potential 'stalker' was not out there in the crowd waiting on the right time to pounce.  Taking deep breaths I try to calm myself ignoring the murmurs from the other occupants. The need to relieve my bladder is long gone but just to be on the safe side, I put the stained toilet to good use.  After exiting the stall minutes later, I set down my bag and phone on the cold counter and examined myself in the large bathroom mirror. To say I lo

Xavier's POV An hour. That's how long since Zoey agreed to be my girlfriend. Girlfriend. The foreign word repeats itself in my mind sending a series of jitters through me. It sounds so unreal, almost as if this is just a figment of my imagination. "Nous le ferions si vois arrêtez d'interrompre," I turn to face Alex, subconsciously blocking Zoey's semi-naked form from her view. I can tell that she is beyond mortified right now and my sister inquisitive eyes are not helping the situation one bit. "Aren't you suppose to be in Barbuda? What are you doing in my backyard?" I bite down on my lower lip, all the built up frustration pirece my flesh begging to be released. I can't believe I just got cockblocked by my little sister… again. Fuck! "Got tired so I came home." The woman shrugs her shoulders. "I visited Gramps in Barbados before coming home though. She misses you dearly. When are you gonna visit?" Sensing that Zoey is growing more and more uncomfortable by the second, I de

Zoey's POV I quickly punch in Dave's number— Xavier texted me the digits an hour ago— and place the phone up to my ear. I tap my fingers against the polished wood, growing slightly impatient as I wait for him to accept the call. I am just calling to remind him to pick me up at five, in case he possesses the same bad quality as his boss— forgetfulness. I peep over at Alex and Becca who are engaged in a light conversation. I am elated, pretty much over the moon actually, that they are getting to know each other. It is so easier on my part now. My tiny circle of friends is growing! "Hello, Ms. Zoey," Dave's robotic, composed voice comes on. I suppress an eye roll, the memories of how composed Xavier was a few weeks ago rings fresh in my mind. "Hi Dave." I clear my throat and listen to the rhythmic pattern of my fingertips. "I'm not sure if Xavier told you this earlier, but you should pick me up at the house around five o' clock—" "Yes he did, but I got a new set of instructions sayi