CHAPTER 38

Xander's POV

Over the years, I have learnt from different situations to expect anything from the universe. And when I say anything, it could be anything. What, however, I didn't see coming is Lane Russell and Danielle Lore. She was going to be Danielle Gold. She was going to be my wife. She was going to be married to me.

I exhale as I look away from Lane. He's gone to the other side of the club and I know he can feel my eyes on him. Watching him. Over the past two years, Lane hasn't turned up for our yearly hangout. I haven't really thought anything of it except missing him. I know he is fine since we regularly check in with each other as I do with others.

What I cannot comprehend is how he is with Danielle.

I take a swig of whatever the bartender served me in my tumbler, downing the harsh liquid for a second before putting the glass down. My attention shifts to Reed as he approaches me alone with Dave and Sawyer, leaving their women behind. I look around the club trying to spot Alexa since she is like a moth to my flame but she is nowhere in sight. I haven't seen her since she excused herself to use the restroom.

I reach for my phone in my pocket to text her to ask her where she is but Dave snatches my phone from me as he takes his seat on the space beside me. I turn to glare at him but he doesn't bulge.

“Let your woman be for a few minutes. I promise, she is capable of taking care of herself.” He tells me and I frown.

“As if you do that,” I eye him.

“Oh trust me, I do. I try not to make my wife sick of my constant check-ins on her.”

“I don't think she can be sick of you. You both are obsessed with each other.” I roll my eyes.

“Well, that makes four of you.” Reed says. He is settled on the couch opposite the one I and Dave are sitting on.

I chuckle and lean back into my seat as Dave hands me my phone again. “Your wife is with Sofia. I'm afraid of what those two women can do together.” He says.

“Don't be,” I grin. “There are grown women who are capable of taking care of themselves.” I add.

He glares at me. “Motherfucker!”

Sawyer shakes his head at us at our banters. Dave and I have always been the ones with clashing energy in the group. Funny how we are the closest. We also understand each other best. No other person comes close in the group.

I lean back in my seat and fill my glass with the tequila bottle Sawyer brought with him. “So, tell us about Anastasia. We haven't heard much.”

Reed shakes his head, a grin threatening to split his face. I usually don't bother with whatever women or dates Reed brings to our annual dinner, but because he mentioned moving to New York earlier, I have every cause to believe that it's because of her.

“Yeah, Reed, tell us about Anastasia.” Sawyer nudges him and he rolls his eyes again.

Clearing his throat, Reed starts to talk. “We met at a bar. Not what you are thinking, she is not my usual type. Very serious and quiet. We have been taking things very slow, moving at her pace. She's gone through some things and moving to a new environment will help her out a lot.” He explains.

A low whistle escapes Dave's lips. “Damn, boy! You sound like a love sick puppy.”

“Ain't that a good thing?” Reed grins.

“It is,” I nod, understanding every bit of it. “You love her but just to be clear, does she love you?” I ask.

The whole group turns to me and it's takes me only a few seconds more to realize how that sounded. Fuck. I don't even mean it that way. I open my mouth to speak but Reed cuts me off with a shake of his head.

“Do you question Alexa's feelings for you like this?” He asks.

I don't.  Or I do. But it's not real, I want to say. On paper, it isn't real. But what I do is shake my head instead.

“Good. Cos you can't be married to that brilliant woman with a messed up head.” He tells me.

“I'm sorry, man.” I exhale. “I didn't mean it to come out that way. Danielle was Danielle to me. It didn't work out and I'm over it. I've moved on. It was years ago. However, what I was trying to say is, are you very sure of what you both share enough to uproot your life in London for her?” I ask.

Reed holds my gaze.

“With my heart!” He responds after a few seconds.

“Then, it's settled.” I grin and take a gulp of my drink. “You can alternate between London and New York until you find your bearing here. Whenever you ate ready to move, you will always have us.” I tell him.

“Thanks, man.” He smiles, his eyes twinkling.

“And don't mess it up, Reed. My wife likes her.” Dave adds.

Sawyer rolls his eyes. “Sofia likes everyone.”

“Not the devil,” Dave retorts and I chuckle.

“Calista is not the devil. Are you guys going to ever forget that?” He asks, sitting up while toying with his drink.

“Not a chance in hell,” Reed grins at him.

Sawyer glares at him. “Reed, my man, I had your back here just minutes ago. Is this how yot treat a dear friend?”

Reed shrugs and I cackle.

“Seriously, man, what are you doing back with Calista?” I ask him.

“The question is, what is she doing back with me?” He asks, leaning back with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. “I suppose she loves a good dick and millions of money in her account.”

“My goodness!” I shake my head at him.

“You are going to have to set your priorities straight and let her go for good, man. She is not good for you and you know it.” Dave mumbles.

“There is comfort in what you know. Safe space.” Sawyer grins, shrugging like it doesn't bother him. “Enough of me already. What do you have to say about Lane?” He asks me.

“Other than him isolating himself because he knows what is coming or what?” I ask.

“Xander, be for real.” Reed tsks.

I sit up and put my glass away, face serious. “I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't thrown off guard when he appeared to dinner with her hanging by his arm like she is our favorite person in the world. You've been in the UK for years. From the silence and awkwardness, I realize you two knew nothing about it. He's engaged to her which means they've been together for a while.” I explain.

“We barely saw him. He kept making excuses anytime we arranged to meet. Work took us out of town every time, we know that  but with him, it just felt like, he is always away.” Sawyer adds.

“I'm worried about him. Less worried about the asshole move he pulled by bringing Danielle to my house without speaking to me about it. But we all know Lane has always been stupid. This is one of those times.” I add.

“You don't believe it's real?” Dave asks, shooting me a brow.

“I don't know what to think.” I say with a shrug.

“Just because she duped you doesn't mean she can't love anybody else. It's probably serious. They are engaged, man.” Dave continues.

“And I'm less concerned about that. But, I smell a rat.” I add.

“Are you going to get to the bottom of this?” Reed asks, running his fingers over the rim of his glass, slowly.

“Nah,” I nod. “I'm just going to watch this play out.” I say.

My gaze flick to the woman in the crowd staring at me. She's been eyeing me since we walked in. If it was one of those times when I wasn't married, I would have gone for it. She smiles at me, lips stretching when I meet her gaze.

“I don't think that's a good idea.” Sawyer says, watching my line of sight to the woman who is already hopping off her stool.

“It's not. And I'm not interested in her. She doesn't know that.” I grimace, looking at my friends.

“Someone is going to learn tonight,” Reed mutter with a whistle.

I keep my face neutral as the woman finally gets to us. She smiles at my friends and try to settle down beside me on the couch but I don't move.

“In case you didn't notice,” I start, showing her wedding ring. I never go anywhere without it now. “I'm taken. Married.” I tell her.

She moves back, her face reddening as she flips her red hair. “If she catches you here…” I trail off watching her scurry from me before I can finish talking.

Dave laughs but say nothing. The others just smile, taking their drinks. It occurs to me that I haven't spoken to then about Eva. So, I put my drink away and move closer to them so I can catch their attention.

“Some things have been going on that I'm going to need your help for.” I tell them.

“Is this about Eva?” Reed asks, his eyesbrows shooting up.

I nod.  “How'd you know?”

“I noticed the bodyguards. You will only take Dave's men unless there's a threat. And even though you have business rivals, it's not that serious to warrant body guardsmen.” He explains.

“So, it has to be Eva.” Sawyer cuts in.

“Okay,” I nod, not surprised that my friends are able to pick up on things that easily. We all do. “She's been insufferable of late. Had her banned from my office after she tried to kidnap and hurt Alexa.  She is restricted from coming to our home too. So, she came with force to my office. When Carly tried to refuse, they almost choked her to death.” I explain.

“Which Carly are you talking about?” Sawyer glares, glowering at me.

“My assistant, of course.” I tell him. “They hurt her real bad. I had the man who put his hands on her; I had his hand cut off. He is a dead man.”

“Good,” Sawyer deadpans.

“That's only going to hold her off for a while. What's the long term way of making sure she doesn't bother you again?” Reed asks.

I look at Dave who decides to take the lead on that. “We came up with a plan to ruin her. Everything she is. We all know how cruel and connected Eva Gold is. So, we have to take that from her first.” Dave starts before launching into the plan with the others.

They listen, nodding attentively and getting the parts they have to play in the whole thing.

“Lane also has something to do. You think you can get through to him?” Sawyer asks, when Dave finishes.

“After that bullshit he pulled? Hell, yeah!” I deadpan.

“Then, it's settled.” Dave grins.

Reed picks up his drink, the wheels in his head spinning as always. Sawyer is quiet too, probably thinking of how he is going to go about things. His round of network will be incredibly helpful. All of them.

“If this works out, in a year, Eva Gold will be old news.” Reed says after a while.

I pick up my drink after filling it again. I hold it up, a cheshire cat grin on my face. “I will drink to that, Reed. I will drink to that.”

They nod, drinking from their glass as well. I like the sound of not hearing about Eva again. The woman has caused me enough troubles to last a lifetime. And there are still some things I'm yet to wrap my head around. Things I don't think I will be able to comprehend.

Still, I down what is left in my glass and put it away. I'm done for the night.

“Since that is out of the way, let's go find our women.” I say as I get on my feet, grabbing my jacket. The others shake their head, but I know we are thinking the same thing. I'm just the only one who would say it.

And that surprises me very much.