12. Xander
Xander
My senses went on alert before we even got out of the car.
I wasn’t sure what was going on, but we were definitely being watched.
Unlike the police the night before, I knew these were trained operatives because even two casual sweeps of the area yielded me no clue to their location or even how many of them there were.
But because I knew Vik wouldn’t send me into hostile territory without a warning, I tried to stay relaxed and focused on Andrie.
Andrie, unaware and still wrapped up in our day, rattled on about a new exhibit opening up at the science museum the following weekend that she was excited to see as we walked down the sidewalk to the cute little shop, our hands entwined.
Businesses lined each side of the street, all nicely kept and welcoming—a far cry from the neighborhood around the bar.
Unlike Vik’s mostly boarded-up windows, these gleamed in the sunlight, bright flowers spilling out of window planters.
Sidewalks were clean, with no visible cracks or tripping hazards, and children could be heard playing in the background—the sounds coming from a park down the street.
It said volumes about my upbringing that I felt more comfortable and at home at Vik’s bar than I did on this quaint little street.
“Here it is,” Andrie said as we came to a shop with a sign above the door that read, Sweet Nothings.
I inhaled, breathing in the sweet smell of sugar, cake cones, chocolate, and coffee.
I wasn’t a sugar person—I’d take a bottle of good quality vodka over anything sweet any day of the week, but even I had to admit the combination had my mouth watering.
Opening the door for her, I let Andrie step inside first, scanning the street one more time before spotting Lessia and her man, Brody, leaning against a building, almost out of sight.
The two looked like lovers forgetting themselves in a romantic embrace, but when my eyes met hers, I realized Lessia and her boyfriend were the source of my unease.
I relaxed, reading the ease in Lessia’s expression.
Whatever she was there for, it wasn’t because Andrie and I might be in danger.
More comfortable now, I turned my attention back to Andrie and followed her inside, coming to a stop just inside the door.
The blonde behind the counter stopped in mid-greeting, wide-eyed when she saw me come in behind Andrie.
Knowing my appearance already was out of place and likely unwanted in an establishment such as this, I forced my most pleasant and non-threatening smile, hoping she wouldn’t throw us out.
Seeing as she’d been one of the women dancing at Vik’s two nights ago, I knew the biker image wasn’t off-putting to her, but private life versus business interests didn’t always line up.
“Hello,” I said, keeping my voice low as well, wincing at how rough it was, no matter how hard I tried to smooth it out.
Andrie either didn’t see the look on the woman’s face or decided to ignore it. “Hey, Claire. Please tell me you still have my favorite still in stock?” she asked hopefully.
The woman blinked again, then shook her head as if pulling herself from her thoughts.
“Hi, Dr. Andrie. It just so happens I made a batch today. There are some cartons of it in the cooler, too, if you want to take some home to stock up. I’m afraid with summer coming to an end in a few weeks, I’ll start moving into our fall menu.
” The woman moved around competently as she spoke, spooning a large scoop of yellow ice cream into a bowl.
“Do you want blueberry compote on it today?”
“Yes, please,” Andrie said politely. “Claire, this is Xander. He’s new to town, and I’m showing him around today.”
I braced for the judging glare, but she only smiled brightly at me. “I think I saw you at Vik’s the other day,” she said, wiping a hand before extending it to shake mine. “But I’ll admit the night’s a little blurry.”
I chuckled as the door opened, a bell alerting us to the presence of another customer. “I heard it was an engagement celebration. I’m surprised you remember much at all with Lessia pouring the drinks.”
“You’ve got that right,” a voice said behind me. Claire’s friendly smile turned less professional and more natural, telling me she knew the man stepping up beside us.
“I’m surprised all y’all were able to get out of bed the next day.
” Everything from his sharp stare, conditioned body, and confidence screamed military—or at least former.
He didn’t have my rough down-and-dirty life experiences, but this man had seen combat.
I saw him size me up as quickly as I had him, but just like Claire, he stuck out his hand despite the tell-tale signs of my biker ties.
“Boone Accardi,” he introduced. “I saw you talking to Lessia that night. Friend of hers?”
He asked it casually, but the knowledge in his eye betrayed his curiosity. “A bit of one,” I said easily without elaborating. I never volunteered information that wasn’t needed, and I hated unnecessary chit-chat.
Claire laughed from her place behind the counter. “I’m learning that most people in town know Lessia.”
Andrie and I shared a wry smile, knowing that, at least when it came to the people who ran the city, she likely did.
When she’d been in Europe, I’d learned her network had rivaled my family’s—and not just the rich and famous.
Of course, it made sense now that I knew about her true purpose living overseas, but back then, I’d been regularly surprised when I’d found out about her knowing the true movers and shakers because most weren’t on the social scene, eating expensive meals and drinking champagne.
They’d been the ones at the clubs downtown, surrounded by bodyguards and unafraid to open-carry their weapons.
“I think it’s safe to say she’s both beloved—and feared—by a large amount of the local population,” Andrie said diplomatically before changing the subject. “Would you like to join us?” she asked Boone.
Before he could answer, Claire pointed to a large table in the corner. “Actually, you might want to grab that one. I know Royce should be here shortly, and I’m sure Lessia and Brody will be in, too. I’m not sure about Gideon and Gia, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see all y’all.”
She turned back to me, “What can I get for you?” After I ordered and we got our ice cream, we took our seats at the large table in the corner.
Andrie, looking shyer now than she’d been at the bar surrounding my MC members, kept her eyes on her ice cream. Her bright smile from the day was dimming, and I could see her pulling back into herself despite Boone and Claire’s attempts to draw her into their conversation.
I was about to make up some excuse for us to leave, not wanting to subject her to feeling pressured to stay, even if I didn’t understand why she was uncertain, when movement by the door caught my eye.
Unable to stop myself from freezing at the sight, I saw a familiar face walk through the door.
Looking like the former model she was, Kasia stepped inside, her smile bright as she strutted in.
She wore a pale-yellow skirt, white silk blouse, and a trendy chunky green necklace that matched her sky-high heels.
A massive shoulder bag completed the look.
The clothes, carefully applied makeup, and flawlessly done-up hair was classic Kasia.
She never stepped outside without being completely put together.
But the expression on her face, almost pure happiness as she looked at our table, caused my heart to jump.
First in fear … had someone told her about me, or did she recognize me somehow?
But following her gaze, I realized she was looking at Boone.
Familial protectiveness mixed with a hint of dismay, but I pushed it aside.
It wasn’t my right any longer. Never had been.
After all, I’d never been able to reveal what I was to her—what she was to me.
And as far as I knew, she didn’t even know I ever had a connection to her.
Besides, I was sure there were worse men to fall in love with than an Accardi.
“Kassie,” Boone called, rising to his feet as she approached, pulling out a chair for her and kissing her cheek. “This is Xander. He’s a friend of Dr. Demming’s.”
Kasia—Kassie—reached out to shake my hand, and as I enveloped her hand with mine, I couldn’t help holding it for a second longer than a stranger should, almost not believing she was in front of me, safe and happy.
I’d seen her briefly at Vik’s, but I’d been so wrapped up in seeing Vik and Andrie again that I didn’t have the opportunity to really focus on her.
Kassie pulled her hand back innocently, not seeming to notice my lapse, but Boone certainly had. His eyes narrowed, and I could see him looking between Andrie and me as if trying to decide if I had designs on his girlfriend or not.
Leaning closer to Andrie, I looked down, my mouth moving up into a smile before hesitating when I saw her assessing look.
Boone wasn’t the only one who sensed the undercurrents swirling inside me.
Deciding I was better off owning up to it than shrugging it off, I gave Andrie a wink, letting her know without words that I wasn’t hiding what had happened, but I wasn’t about to talk about it either.
I leaned down to her ear, whispering as if it were a secret for her ears only, “Are you going to try to stab me with that spoon if I try your ice cream?”
She raised an eyebrow, and I saw the second she decided to let the matter drop. “Are you going to trade me for a bite of yours?” she challenged.
Not about to waste the opportunity, I scooped up some of my ice cream and raised my spoon to her lips.
Her mouth opened in surprise, and I could see her about to take the spoon from my hand, but the challenge in my eye paused the movement.
She took a breath, as if gathering herself, then leaned forward.