CHAPTER 23
XANDER
After pouring a generous amount of Scotch over one ice cube for himself, Xander filled a wineglass with pinot noir and carried it over to Niyah.
She accepted it with a grateful smile. The family fact-finding session had gone on for over an hour and the only thing they’d established was that a handful of Asians wanted them dead. Yet, they still had no idea why.
Xander offered his hand. “Take a walk with me,” he commanded in a whisper.
Niyah accepted his offer and placed her hand in his. She stood and allowed him to escort her from the parlor and into the hall. Instead of the front door, he led her to the rear of the house and out a set of patio doors.
“Oh, my God,” Niyah gasped when they stepped out onto his parents’ vast estate.
“It is remarkable,” Xander agreed. “But truthfully, I don’t see why they need so much space. I wish they’d consider downsizing.”
Niyah shrugged. “Maybe they keep it for sentimental reasons.”
Xander shrugged. “Maybe.” He led her past the well-lit, Olympic-sized pool and into his mother’s garden. “There’s something I want you to see.”
“Okay.”
They took the short walk in silence. Xander simply enjoyed the feeling of her warm hand encased in his. He liked Niyah; liked being with her, but feared that once the danger was gone, she would soon follow.
For the life of him, Xander couldn’t understand why she was so resistant to him.
In his experience, most women found him attractive or at least, that’s what they told him.
He thought of himself as a gentleman. He was fairly intelligent and practiced good hygiene.
By all accounts, he was a catch. So, why did the good doctor keep throwing him back in?
To Xander’s dismay, Niyah pulled away. She walked over to a bed of flowers and inhaled the intoxicating scent.
“Hyacinth,” she whispered with adoration.
Xander took her word for it and inhaled. Truth be told, he didn’t know a daisy from a carnation. But the flowers smelled nice, so he waited patiently until she was ready to move on. And when she was, he retrieved her hand and pulled her toward their destination.
Minutes later, they arrived.
“This was my secret hiding place,” he announced, pointing toward the lake.
The confused look on Niyah’s face caused Xander to chuckle. “Not the lake,” he clarified. “Over thereto the left,” he said pointing to the small boathouse.
Xander wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled her toward the rickety wooden structure. It had been years since he’d been inside. It seemed time has taken its toll on his favorite childhood hideaway.
Xander reluctantly released Niyah’s small wrist and turned the knob to open the door. After a good yank, he gained access. The light from outside filled the boathouse, allowing him to find the light switch.
He stepped carefully inside and walked near the end of the dock to turn on another light. When the boathouse was safely illuminated, Xander turned and waved Niyah over. She looked nervous.
“I can assure you that you’re safe. I built this place with my bare hands. Come on in.”
She took a tentative step on the wood. After a few more steps, Xander could see the confidence growing in her eyes. She joined him near the end of the dock.
Xander smiled, pleased to regain possession of her hand.
Niyah looked around as if astonished. “You built this?” she asked.
“I did,” he confirmed, moving closer, shortening the distance between them. “I’m good with my hands,” he whispered near her ear.
“I can see that.” Niyah turned toward the speedboat. “So, how does carpentry correlate to Corporate America?”
“In no way, shape, or form,” Xander admitted with chuckled. “It’s just a hobby.”
Niyah turned to him with a smile that warned his heart. “I am impressed, Mr. Creed.”
Xander shrugged. “That’s what I’m trying to do, Dr. Reed.”
With a grin, she asked, “Did you build the boat too?”
“Nah. Not my wheelhouse. But do you wanna take a ride?”
“A ride?” Niyah repeated with a grimace. “No, I’m good.”
“Aww, come on. It’s a beautiful evening. We can watch the sunset from the lake.” Xander frowned at her hesitation. He didn’t like the scared look in her eyes. “Are you afraid?”
Niyah looked down. “I don’t like big bodies of water.”
Xander grinned. “It’s a lake, not the Pacific Ocean.”
“I’m aware,” she responded, rolling her eyes.
Xander rubbed her upper arm. “Can’t you swim?”
“Yes, I can swim, Xander,” she replied with a sigh. “I-I just don’t like the things that live under the water.”
Xander chuckled. “You mean like… fish?”
“Don’t laugh! Yes, I mean fish along with frogs, snakes, and salamanders.”
“Are you serious?” Xander blurted through laughter.
“Yes,” Niyah admitted with a giggle. “It’s all kinds of scary shit out there in the water!”
Xander walked over to the wall and pushed the button to open the automatic doors, unveiling a breathtaking view of the lake. “We’re not going swimming. If you're so afraid of the little mammals beneath the lake, I suggest you stay in the boat.”
After grabbing the keys from a hook, Xander got in the boat and held his hand out for Niyah.
After a few seconds of contemplation, she relented and placed her hand in his.
Xander helped her in the boat and led her to the bucket seat near the front of the boat.
There she would have the best view of the sun setting below the horizon.
“Comfy?” he asked her.
“I’m fine.”
Xander stood at the helm, started the engine, and raised the anchor.
After easing his way off the dock and out into the warmth of what was left of the sun, he headed to his favorite spot for alone time.
Living in a house with his four brothers, their parents, and countless staff was great most of the time, but unbearable at others.
Xander glanced back at Niyah and laughed when he saw her holding on for dear life.
It didn’t take long to cross the lake and enter a corner filled with pink and white waterlilies.
He steered slowly through the water garden until he reached the perfect spot.
To his surprise, Niyah left her seat and joined him at the helm.
“Beautiful,” she marveled through a soft breath.
Xander smiled. He couldn’t describe the feeling it gave him knowing that she appreciated the beauty and tranquility of his little hideaway. “It is,” he agreed. “I used to come her a lot when I was living with my folks.”
“Who could blame you?”
Xander dropped anchor and clutched Niyah’s wrist. “Come with me.”
He led her to the back of the boat. “Take off your shoes,” he encouraged.
Relief hit when Niyah stepped out of her shoes without debate. Xander removed his shoes and stepped on the flat surface of the swim platform. “Here, you’ll find the most incredible view of the sunset.”
Xander held her hand and carefully helped her onto the platform.
He sat and pulled her to sit next to him.
She sat, but she crossed her legs, refusing to let her feet hang over the edge.
Xander couldn’t help but laugh at her hilarious phobia.
He grabbed her legs and placed them over his.
“Now, you’re safe from the little water mammals. ”
Niyah thanked him with a smirk and crossed her feet at the ankles. Xander admired her pretty feet and delicate toes painted with white nail polish.
“It feels like we’re in a different country; like a million miles from home.” Niyah released a deep sigh. “I could lose myself here.”
Xander rubbed her ankle. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”
For the next twenty minutes they sat and allowed the boat to rock them into a state of relaxation as they watched the sun sink beneath the horizon.
The banter between them was light and fun.
Xander probably should have kept it that way, but he couldn’t resist a conversation about her safety.
“So… I know you guys have made arrangements for you to go back to work. But I don’t think it’s the best idea. ”
Niyah turned to him with anxiety in her beautiful brown eyes and asked, “What do you suggest I do, Xander?”
“I suggest you take some time off work and stay here for a couple of weeks.”
Niyah frowned. “I can’t just take off work.”
Xander closed her hand in his. “It’s not safe. Between the Secret Service and Lincoln’s guys, this is the safest place to be.”
Niyah sighed. “Xander--”
Xander cut off her words before she could outright refuse. “At least, give the police some time to catch these guys. Bella will be working the case remotely, and Donna will be working it from the streets. Give ‘em a couple of weeks please.”
Niyah smiled and cupped his jaw with her free hand.
“Your concern for me is sweet. It really is. I know Bella and Donna are exceptional detectives and I have no doubt they’ll solve this case.
But Xander, you should know that homicides in Chicago rarely get solved without me.
What I do is essential to solving these cases, and the twins are gonna need every member of the team to get the job done. ”
Xander exhaled his frustration at her stubbornness.
He knew that her job was important for solving murders.
More importantly, she could obtain information on the men who had attacked his family.
But the death of Niyah’s friend was a clear indication that she was in grave danger.
Apparently, the killer or killers knew how detrimental she was to the investigation.
A solution needed to be found, and Xander believed that he had found it.
He covered Niyah’s hand on his jaw. “How about this?” he began, praying that she wouldn’t shut him down.
“How about you allow me to stay with you during the week and then you come back here on the weekend?” Xander held his breath. He was ready for a full-fledged debate.
To his surprise, Niyah nodded. “Okay,” she agreed in a whisper. “We can do that.”
After exhaling with relief, Xander smiled and pulled her into a hug that she might have considered inappropriate.
He held her body tight and close to his.
At first, she froze as if she didn’t know how to respond.
But he soon noticed the ease of her tension as her body melded to his.
In his arms, it felt as if she belonged.
It was warm and familiar. It felt right.
There, on the lake at dusk in a beautiful field of waterlilies, was where Xander decided he would have Niyah no matter her hangups about his race, no matter the danger she was facing, she was his to claim.