When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,74

quiet. In many ways, that scared her more than when he was being mean and obnoxious.

“How about drinks?” she asked.

“Get me a beer,” Remy said with his usual nastiness.

“Gimme a Pepsi,” Wayde added.

She brought the sandwiches and drinks to the table, sat down with them, and remained quiet as they talked, but they said nothing about any plans.

She caught Wayde’s attention and looked at him the way she did when she first arrived, pretending he knew everything and she knew squat. She couldn’t remember why she’d done that. Maybe because somewhere deep inside, he spooked her. She would’ve never admitted that before. “Wayde, I’m not trying to create problems. I’d just like to know how long you think this will take.”

He said nothing.

~ ~ ~

Nick pulled into his driveway. The house was dark and empty. He couldn’t go in. He sat with his hands on the steering wheel. He looked at them, but didn’t move. After sitting a while, he put the car in reverse and headed to his parent’s house.

The lights were off, but Xavier’s car was in the driveway. Gradually, his hands slackened on the wheel. After a brief hesitation, he removed the keys from the ignition and went in, entering through the back door. Other than his father’s study, the kitchen was the most welcoming room in the house. Tonight, it was dead like a corpse, empty of heart and soul. Not bothering to turn on the lights, he made his way around the darkened halls by instinct and found Xavier in his study. He softly tapped the open door.

Xavier glanced over his laptop screen and motioned for him to come in. “I’m glad you decided to come over, I was about to call and ask you to stop by.”

Nick sat down on the sofa, grabbed a throw pillow, and put it behind his head. Lying back comfortably, he sighed. It wasn’t surprising he avoided the chairs across from Xavier’s desk that sat in front of the large window at the end of the long narrow room. He’d told Kinsley several times that if Xavier requests you have a seat in those, you’re in for a talking to. After kicking off his shoes, one by one, with the aide of the other, he threw his feet up on the coffee table. Xavier’s study was the one place in the house where you could get away with that sort of thing. He focused on the fire that burned in the fireplace across the room.

Xavier leaned back in his chair, peering at Nick over the coffee cup he held.

Nick hunched over, propping up on his knees and clasping his hands together. “The house, it was so dark. I just couldn’t bring myself to go into the emptiness tonight.” He looked over at Xavier.

Xavier’s lips spread flat, which was his usual way of saying he understood. “Would you like some coffee?” He closed his laptop.

Nick shook his head.

“Is something stronger in order?”

Nick nodded.

“I think I’ll join you.” Xavier stood, placed his hands on the small of his back, and bowed into a rigorous stretch. Once relieved, he went to the bar and fixed a couple drinks. He handed one to Nick and sat at the other end of the sofa.

“Where is everyone?” Nick asked.

“I told the staff to take a few days off, and Jonathan is flying down to Le Grand tonight. Max will be returning tomorrow, late afternoon. I called the office to let them know you won’t be in until further notice.”

“Yeah, that’s good. Kinsley wouldn’t want him with anyone else until he’s been home a while. God, it’s going to be strange without her here with us.” He shook his head slowly, his eyes sullen.

Xavier’s lips drew tight again, but he bit down on his lower lip this time, which meant he had something important to say. “Nick, there’s no easy way to tell you this. You were irrational and pissed off when Kinsley left and not listening to reason. I was worried about her and Max. And you, too. I took it upon myself to have someone watch over them. Olivia’s friend, Jackson —I hired him. You understand. I needed to be sure they were okay.”

With a raised brow, Nick leaned forward, and propped his elbow on one knee. He stared intently at Xavier. “You took it upon yourself?”

“You can get pissed off later. Right now, I need you to listen. Please.”

Nick leaned back, annoyed, and flung his open hand into the air toward Xavier, signaling