Rhys

“Where’s X?” I ask Seriyah, his right-hand woman.

“He had a last-minute trip he needed to take. Is there something I can help you with?”

A few months ago, I would’ve asked the exotic beauty for a few different things, but all I can focus on now is Vivienne. Besides, there’s no missing the hungry and possessive look X gets on his face when he looks at her. There’s only one woman I’m willing to fight him over, and while Seri’s great, she’s not her.

“I finished all the work he gave me, and I’m not sure what he’d like for me to do next.”

She looks at her computer screen, and closes her eyes. We both know what he gave me was grunt work, and far beneath my skill level. I may have appeared to have been living off my inheritance for years, but in reality I was taking online classes and learning everything I could about computers. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. My mind understands computers and codes. I don’t know why, but that’s just the way it is.

“I don’t know what I’m allowed to assign you, Rhys. There are projects we need done, but I can’t give them to you.”

“Can you call him?”

She shakes her head. “He’s unreachable at the moment.”

“Come on,” I say, letting my frustration show.

“The good news is you can go home early today.”

“At ten in the morning?”

“I’d apologize, but it’s not my fault.”

“I know it’s not, but you have to admit this is all fucked-up.”

“If he checks in, I’ll ask him if I can assign something else to you.”

“Thanks. I’m just going to go up, and bug my sister.”

“Good plan.”

She would say that. Seriyah doesn’t know about the Society, which completely shocked me when I realized it. She’s around them all the time, and she’s best friends with Camari’s boyfriend, Lennon, but she thinks they’re just a foundation with unlimited resources. They are—but they’re so much more.

She may not be aware of them, but there’s no way X isn’t, and I can’t wait to see the fallout if she ever realizes how much he’s keeping from her. Not my problem, though. A week into this new job, and my problem is no closer to being solved. Vivienne is still missing, and my anxiety is getting higher and higher every day.

“Hey Alex,” I say, walking into the lobby of the C&C Foundation.

“Hi, Rhys. Was someone expecting you today?”

“No, but I was hoping to hang out with my sister.”

“Hang out?” she asks, quirking an eyebrow. “You know better than to think we do nothing all day.”

“Shit. Yeah, I know but since apparently, I’m expected to do nothing, I thought I’d see if I could keep her company.”

“You don’t have any work to do?” Reina asks, walking out into the lobby.

“Let’s not bullshit each other, Reina. You and I both know why X is giving me no access to anything.”

“Give me one good reason I should trust you after your immature behavior in the past, and the agenda you walked into this building with?”

“You see only what you want to see, just like everyone else.”

“I see what you want us all to see.”

“We all do what we have to survive, Reina.”

“Yes, but I also do what I have to do to make sure others survive. Or do you not remember that?”

“How could I forget when you’re so eloquently throwing it in my face. I know I’m less than you. Believe me, I know.”

Her face softens. “I did not say that, Rhys.”

“You didn’t have to.”

I turn to the elevators, and start stabbing the down button, because I need to get out of here. Out of this lobby, out of this building, maybe even out of this city. I was stupid to think I could overcome my past.

“Rhys,” Reina says, putting her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m leaving Reina. Just let me leave.”

“She’s safe.”

I whip my head around to look at her. “Thank you.”

The elevator opens for me, and I step in. I have so many questions I know won’t be answered, so I have to accept what she told me, and allow it to be enough. Vivienne is safe, and that’s all that matters right now. It’s everything.

Viv

Moving me back to Vegas went a lot faster than moving me away. I’m not in Vegas proper, though. Instead I’m inside the compound X created for himself near the mountains. There are houses nearby, but he’s assured me no one can see in, even where there’s open sky. I’m not afraid of an air attack, but I’ve still stayed inside over the last couple of days.

It’s just me, X, and his little boy here. Micah is almost three, and just adorable. I’m acting as his nanny, but he keeps asking for “Seri” and I don’t know who that is. When I’ve mentioned it to X, he’s waved me off and told me not to worry about it.

“How did you sleep last night?” he asks, when I walk into the kitchen.

“I slept well.”

He nods, and gives me a half-smile. “I have some news you’re not going to like.”

“What is it?” I ask, gripping the coffee cup I’d picked up tightly in my hand.

“Christon found a judge who is demanding you be present for mediation with him.”

“No!”

“I’m sorry, but yes. Stella has a wig for you, and you’ll have to take your contacts out for the day, and throw some designer clothes back on, but you’ll be okay. You have no choice, but to go.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You won’t be divorced,” he says, cupping my face in his hands. “I want you to be divorced, so I can kiss you.”

I want him to kiss me too, if only so I’ll know I’m still wanted. Being wanted by this hot, sexy, nerdy man who at least half the women in the world want isn’t a bad thing at all. I need that, even though I don’t really want him in that way. He helped saved me, but I’m not romanticizing that. I just want a divorce, and safety. But, a kiss wouldn’t be so bad.

“Isn’t it enough that I’ve filed?”

“Is it enough for you?” he asks, moving his face lower.

“Yes.”

Our lips meet, and I feel…nothing. Nothing at all. I’m not sure I really expected to, but it’s a little disappointing anyway.

“That was not what I expected,” he tells me.

“Yeah, let’s not do that again.”

“Glad you agree. Friends?”

“Friends.”

“Daddy, can I have breakfast?”

We both turn to see Micah standing in the doorway, looking confused. “Sure, little man. Seri will be here soon, but I can get you some cereal.”

“Seri’s coming?” the little boy asks, his eyes lighting up.

“Yep.”

“You know he keeps asking for her. I don’t know who she is, since you’ve been blowing me off whenever I asked about her.”

“She’s my assistant. She used to babysit him for me sometimes, too.”

“Before I came here, and took that away from them.”

“It’s not like that.”

“It’s exactly like that.”

“It’s really not a big deal, Viv.”

“Seri!” Micah yells, stopping the face-off I’m not sure I would’ve won, but wasn’t going to back down from.

“Hey! How’s my favorite man?”

The woman who walks into the kitchen is stunning. She has olive skin, slightly slanted brown eyes, jet black hair, and a body that curves in all the right places. I’ve never been into women, but she makes me reconsider my life choices. Especially when I see the obvious love between her and Micah.

Turning, I see I’m not the only one affected by her. X is looking at her like she’s his salvation, and I know now why our kiss meant nothing to him. He loves her.

“Hi, I’m Viv,” I say, moving over to her with my hand held out.

She stands, and shakes it. “Seriyah. You must be my replacement.”

“Seri,” X says, a warning in his tone.

“Xavier,” she responds, the ice in her eyes and voice sharp enough to cut.

“I missed you!” Micah tells her, cutting the tension.

“I missed you too. Do you want pancakes?”

“Yes, please.”

“We need to go, Viv. Thanks for coming over Seri.”

X strides from the room, as we both look after him. I’m in shock that he just walked out, but Seriyah just shakes her head. “We’re not exactly getting along right now, but I won’t lie and say he’s easy to be around all the time.”

“Oh. He’s always nice with me.”

“Lucky you,” she says, looking away from me, and I know I’ve said the wrong thing.

“It’s because he’s helping me.”

“Sure. You should get going. He hates to be kept waiting for anything.”

I want to say more to her because I see that she’s hurt, but I don’t know what to say. Vivienne always knew what to say, but Viv is struggling here. Maybe I’m not cut out for a new identity after all. I simply squeeze her shoulder as I walk out, not sure I’m ready to do what I’m about to do, but knowing I really don’t have a choice.