When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,33

It was no use. She’d made up her mind, and once she does, it can’t be changed.

“Yeah, I got that impression. The other issues… she mentioned other issues, are you aware of what they were?”

His question remained unanswered.

“I’m worried about her and Max being with this man. I want her home. No doubt she can be excitable at times, but nothing that would lead to hospitalization.” Hesitating, Xavier lowered his head, focusing intently on the sugar packet he tapped and twirled side to side. “This situation is tough for me, Jackson, because she’s a very devoted mother. She’d never want to put Max in danger, but if there’s trouble, I may have to get Max out. I’d rather not do that to her. I did a background check on Wayde. He was clean, maybe too clean. Investigate his more personal past. Go as far back as you need to. Everyone has a secret, and I want to find out his.”

A slight nod confirmed Jackson’s agreement. After spending last night with Kinsley, he was convinced further investigation was in order. “A good idea at this point. Is she going back to his house when she’s discharged today? She said she wanted, needed, to get out of this on her own. I can’t help wondering why she wouldn’t come home and try to figure things out here in New York.”

“I’m assuming she’s going back. She hasn’t called. She knows she can come home anytime. When she left, she asked me not to contact her and told me she needed some time. I’d like to respect that. Technically, I’m watching her, not contacting her. Not very honest, but they’re important to me. If I need to step in at some point, I will. I can’t do anything if she wants to stay. In fact, she can be quite stubborn.” He laughed.

Jackson smiled and lowered his head a bit. “I noticed. The key question is why Nick isn’t the one watching them? Max is his son, even if he doesn’t want to be with Kinsley.”

Xavier sighed. “Nick loves her and wants her home. I don’t doubt his love, but to be quite honest, he can be an ass at times, especially with women. His mistake’s been thinking Kinsley is going to stick around for the money and lifestyle. Staying’s been for Max, and I don’t think that’s enough reason for her anymore. Well, she’s gone; I guess her unhappiness is obvious now. I suppose he’s hoping things will magically work out. I’m not sure. I do believe my wife has been in his ear to get Max and divorce Kinsley.” He lowered his eyes briefly, appearing thoughtful. “It’s difficult for me to get into Nick’s head. I’m hoping when you meet him tonight you’ll be able to spend some time with him. Being that you’re closer to his age and your business requires it, I’m certain you’ll have better luck than I would. I’ll suggest he take you out after dinner tonight. I’m sure he’ll agree.”

“Your wife doesn’t like Kinsley?” Jackson said, becoming more curious.

“She doesn’t like anyone,” Olivia said, after being quiet throughout the conversation and hanging on Xavier’s every word. Clearly, she didn’t like his wife. Her claws were showing again.

Xavier laughed, soft and short. “She doesn’t—not, like her. Angela likes to be the one to control Nick. Then again, Angela would like to control everyone. She can’t, so she takes full advantage of Nick’s need for her love and approval. Although not always evident, Kinsley comes before anyone in Nick’s eyes.”

Jackson’s eyebrow rose. Skeptical, he ignored the comment. “Wayde might have seen Kinsley somewhere and been stalking her. Who knows with them meeting the way they did. She did say she felt like he knew her. He said he was friends with her brother and had been searching for him. He told her he’d help her find him.”

Xavier’s brow creased to mark his questioning. “Her brother? I recognized she was in a vulnerable place; she hadn’t even been talking to me at the time, and that was unusual. She had always come to me when she needed to. If he talked about her brother, I’m sure she would have been moved to talk to him. Possibly, that swayed her decision to go. I just assumed their meeting was a random thing.”

“Did Wayde’s background check show evidence of him ever living here, in New York?”

“No,” Xavier replied.

“I’ll check into whether he’s traveled, has family, or any other connections here.” His tone changed