Lines In The Sand

The next morning, the atmosphere in the mansion was different—tense, heavy, like a storm was brewing.

Elena could feel it in the way Xavier moved, the sharp edge in his voice when he spoke to his men, the way his jaw remained clenched as he gave orders. He wasn't just preparing for a fight. He was preparing for war.

She stood in the hallway, watching as Damien and the others gathered in the main room, discussing their next move.

"We need to strike first," Damien said, his arms crossed. "If we wait, Malcolm and the others will take it as a sign of weakness."

Xavier remained silent for a moment, his gaze dark and unreadable. "We're not making a move until I say so."

Damien exhaled sharply. "Xavier—"

"I said no." Xavier's voice was low, final.

The room fell silent.

Elena didn't know much about this world, but she knew that whatever was happening wasn't just about business or power. It was personal.

She stepped forward. "What happens now?"

Xavier's gaze flicked to her, something unreadable in his eyes. "Now we wait."

Elena frowned. "For what?"

"For them to make a mistake."

---

A Dangerous Invitation

By midday, the mistake Xavier had been waiting for came.

A message. Delivered directly to his private line.

Midnight. The abandoned warehouse on the docks. No men. Just you.

Elena saw the way Xavier's expression darkened as he read it.

Damien took the phone from his hands and read the message, his lips twisting into a scowl. "It's a trap."

Xavier smirked. "Of course it is."

"And you're still going?"

Xavier met Damien's gaze without hesitation. "Yes."

Elena's heart pounded. "Xavier, no—"

His gaze snapped to her. "I have to."

She clenched her fists. "They're setting you up."

"I know."

"Then don't go!"

He exhaled slowly. "This isn't a choice, Elena. If I don't show up, they'll come here. And I won't let that happen."

She felt helpless, furious. "Then let me come with you."

A sharp silence followed her words.

Xavier's jaw tightened. "No."

"I can help."

"No." His voice was harder now. "This isn't your fight."

She stepped closer. "But it became my fight the moment I stepped into this world, Xavier."

For the first time, something in his expression cracked. A flicker of hesitation, concern.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek for the briefest moment. "Stay here."

It wasn't just an order. It was a plea.

Elena swallowed hard. "Promise me you'll come back."

Xavier didn't answer.

And that terrified her.

---

Midnight

The docks were cold, the air thick with tension.

Xavier stepped into the abandoned warehouse, every sense on high alert. The dim overhead light flickered, casting eerie shadows against the steel walls.

Then he saw them.

Malcolm stood in the center, a smirk playing at his lips. Behind him, a handful of men lingered in the darkness, their weapons visible.

"You actually came." Malcolm chuckled. "I'll admit, I wasn't sure you would."

Xavier didn't respond. He simply watched, waiting.

Malcolm sighed dramatically. "You always were the stubborn one. But you see, Xavier, I don't like loose ends. And unfortunately for you, that's exactly what you've become."

Xavier's smirk was sharp, deadly. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."

A beat of silence.

Then all hell broke loose.

---

The Attack

Gunfire erupted.

Xavier moved fast, taking cover behind a crate as bullets ricocheted off the walls. He reached for his gun, returning fire with deadly precision.

One by one, Malcolm's men fell, but more kept coming.

Then, in the chaos, a familiar voice rang out—one Xavier never expected to hear.

"XAVIER!"

His blood ran cold.

Elena.

His head snapped up just in time to see her standing near the entrance, eyes wide with fear.

And then—

A gunshot.

She gasped, stumbling back.

Xavier saw red.

---