Chapter 25 Xavier
The bath is wonderful. I’ve got to admit that I wish Declan were in it with me again.
It’s a jetted tub with enough room for at least four grown people.
I check the cabinet, and I’m surprised to find an array of bath oils and salts.
Did Declan use all of these? I pull several out to read the labels while the tub fills.
Aside from the one he used with me and an unscented one, they’re all brand new.
Did he get them just for me? I open the lavender- and vanilla-scented bath oil and pour some into the water.
I think about what is going on between Declan and me while I soak.
Even with his heavy-handedness, he seems to really care about me.
Could he eventually love me? I snort at that.
Right now he’s obsessed with me, and eventually it will fade.
But I know in my heart that I’m falling for him, and my heart will be crushed in the end.
When my skin starts to prune, I get out and take a quick shower to rinse off the oil.
I pick a baby-blue V-neck T-shirt. It’s one of the super-soft ones Declan bought me.
I pair it with dark skinny jeans that I know show off my ass.
As soon as I open the bedroom door, a wonderful smell hits my nose.
Is that Thai food? He asked about my favorite food, and Thai is one of them.
He paid attention to me. I’m all smiles when I enter the kitchen and see him plating the food.
It’s a lot of food. He wraps me in his arms and teases me about petting him instead of my shirt.
I have a funny feeling in my gut that’s popped up a couple of times before, but I can’t even explain it to myself.
It hits me when he kisses my forehead. Home.
He feels like home. I’m so fucked. At this moment, I know that I’ll take whatever he offers me for however long it lasts.
When the doorbell rings, I almost pass out right on the foyer floor.
I expected it to be one of his cousins, but nope.
It’s his dad, aunt, and uncle. I’m not ready to meet the parents.
I recognize Duncan Murphy when he walks in.
He is a large man, not quite as tall as Declan, but close.
He’s wide and strongly built. He exudes power with every step that he takes.
His picture is the one in the news constantly—he and his brother Kieran.
That is one of the reasons I didn’t recognize Declan at the club.
I mainly watch business news, and anything to do with Murphy Enterprises always features those two, not any of the next generation.
I don’t care to watch society gossip, and that’s where Declan and his cousins are featured.
I’m about to hyperventilate when a beautiful woman comes into view.
She’s tall with deep auburn hair that hangs in soft waves.
Where the two men are powerful and dominant, she’s elegant and classy.
Unlike most women in her position and age, she is still a natural beauty who honestly takes my breath away.
I have seen her pictures as well and know she runs a non-profit, but seeing her in real life is so much better.
“Is he okay?”
“He’s fine, why?” I hear Declan answer one of the men. I shake my head to clear it.
“He is staring at Alessia.” I look over and see that Kieran is talking and glaring at me. They haven’t been in the place for five seconds, and it seems that I have already pissed him off.
“I am so sorry,” I say, looking him directly in the eye, even if my insides are turning to mush.
“I didn’t mean to stare, it’s just that,” I turn to Alessia Murphy, “Your pictures online don’t do your beauty justice.
Oh my God, that sounds cringey. What I mean is that with Photoshop and filters, you never know what the person is going to look like in real life, but you look even better in person.
” I slap my hand over my mouth to make myself stop talking. I sound like an idiot.
“Well, aren’t you the sweetest. Declan, introduce us so I can get to know my new favorite.”
“Your new favorite what?”
“Nephew. If you two are together, then he’s my nephew, too. Unless I decide to adopt him, he can be my new favorite son. All of you boys wear on my nerves.”
“Xavier, I would like you to meet my father, Duncan Murphy, my aunt and uncle, Alessia and Kieran Murphy.” I swallow hard and hold out my hand to Duncan.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I steady myself for a hard, bone-crushing handshake, but it doesn’t come.
It’s firm but gentle. I next shake Kieran’s hand with the same result.
When I get to Alessia, she pushes my hand aside and envelops me in a hug.
She’s a little taller than my five-seven height.
It’s one of the best hugs of my life. I am enjoying it so much that I don’t realize that I’m being pulled away until Declan tucks me back under his arm.
“Behave, Declan, I’m not going to steal him from you.” She laughs and walks past us into the dining area. “Oh, good, I love Thai.”
“I got it for Xavier.” Declan leads me to a chair across from the others. He pulls my chair closer to him. He starts piling my plate high with a variety of goodies.
“I can fix my own plate, Declan,” I whisper to him. I think I’m quiet enough for only him to hear me. But apparently, Alessia has super hearing.
“Let him do it, sweetheart. He wants to take care of you.” I look from her to the others, and no one is really paying us any attention. When Declan sets the plate in front of me, I pick up my fork and start eating. The food is to die for. I love Thai food, but I‘ve never had anything like this.
“So, Declan, why are we here? You were vague on the phone about meeting Xavier.” His dad looks from Declan to me and then back again.
“Xavier is worried that you all will think he is a gold-digging whore.”
“What the fuck, Declan!” I yell. I know that my face is every shade of red possible.
“What?” He tries to put his arm around my shoulder, but I shrug him off. “That’s exactly what you said.”
I cannot believe my ears. I have to get out of here.
I get up and run from the room. I start toward Declan’s room, but stop myself and go into one of the spare bedrooms he showed me earlier.
I shut the door. I’m quite proud of myself for not slamming it.
I sit on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands.
How on earth will I ever face them again?
There’s a gentle knock on the door before Alessia comes in. She doesn’t say anything but sits beside me on the bed. We sit in silence for a few minutes before she finally speaks.
“I want to explain a couple of things to you, but I need to ask you a question first. Do you really care for Declan, or is he just bulldozing his way into your life?”
“I do care for him. I really like Declan. I pushed him away at first because I was scared. But he makes me feel things that I have never felt before. It’s not the money or what he buys me.
It’s the little things he does. Sometimes, though, he drives me crazy with his bossiness.
I promise you, I’m not after his money. I don’t want anyone to think I’m using him. ”
“Is that why you kept your job even though it’s not in your field?
” I nod. “I see. What I am going to explain to you will clear up a lot of what’s probably crowding your head.
But I also need you to understand that when I finish what I tell you, it never leaves this room.
And you will not use it against Declan.” I nod again.
“I won’t repeat it, and I won’t use it against Declan.”
“Good. Have you noticed that most of the time, Declan and my boys seem to have trouble reading the room or even simple social cues? Like what he just said out there?” I nod.
“Well, there are reasons for that. They all have issues with antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and a lack of remorse. They have feelings and know what they are, but most of the time, those feelings are muted in their heads. They say things that to you and me would be horrible because we wouldn’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings, but to them, it doesn’t matter, especially if they think it’s the truth.
” She gives my hand a gentle pat before continuing.
“That is the bad part, but the good parts far outweigh the bad. They are loyal and honest. Declan won’t love you in the conventional sense.
His love is obsessive and protective, and trust me, it runs so much deeper.
My husband and I have been together for almost thirty years, and I would not give up a single second of it.
He is just like Declan and the boys. He makes me happy.
And if you can accept Declan for who he is, then I can guarantee that you will be happy too. ”
“You realize you just described a psychopath.” I’m starting to put the pieces together, and everything is making sense. “Will he hurt me?”
“No, and I can promise you that anyone who does will pay dearly for it. And yes, I described exactly what they are. I don’t think people realize that psychopathy can be a spectrum, and then there is the whole nature versus nurture argument.
Did you know that the morning after he met you, he came to my house to ask for advice on how to win you over? ”
“Really? I ran away from him like my ass was on fire.”
“Really. I was the one to suggest he offer you the job. I realize you want to stand on your own and not take advantage of Declan, or even give that impression, but if you accept him, that’s not going to work for him.
He needs the control because in his head, that is how he can protect you.
Yes, sometimes it will be suffocating, trust me, but it’s worth it in the end.
I also know that you have been on your own for a long time, and if you accept Declan for who and what he is, you will never be alone again.
You will also gain a family that will stand with you no matter what.
None of us thinks you are after anything from Declan. ”
“Well, that explains a lot. Is that why Ronan thought it was okay to get me evicted?” Alessia takes a deep breath and lets out a sigh.
“Yes, and he has been punished for it. Trust me, he will think twice before doing anything like that again. Maybe, hopefully, but don’t count on it.”
I can’t help it. I have to laugh. “Declan threatened to tell you that night, but I didn’t think about it again until just now. Ronan was mad.”
“If they do anything that upsets you like that ever again, just call me. And one day, I’ll teach you my secrets. Are we good?”
“We’re good.” She stands and holds out her hand for me.
“One more thing, don’t be afraid to call Declan out on his bullshit. Sometimes he really just doesn’t understand.”
We go back to the dining room. Declan stands and comes up to me. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I hug him back.
“Can we finish eating now?” Duncan asks. I didn’t realize that they had all stopped eating when I left. No doubt that was Alessia’s doing.
We finish the meal, and to my surprise, they all help clean up. I participate in the conversation, but I have a lot on my mind. I’m going through everything Alessia told me and everything I’ve already observed about Declan. Can I accept Declan? Can I stay with him knowing that he is a psychopath?
As they are leaving, Duncan stops me. “I wanted to tell you myself that I am glad you are with Declan. He has his issues, but then again, who doesn’t?
All I ask is that you don’t willfully hurt him.
If you don’t want to stay with him, then get in touch with me.
I’ll need to help him through it.” He pats my shoulder and follows the others out.
Now it’s time to face Declan alone. I’ve made my decision, and I’ll stand by it.