Xavier (Vigilance 4)

I just had to remember to call him Mr. Carrington when I arrived. I could pretend he’d hired me for… something, as a housekeeper, an event planner, anything.

As my driver darted in and out of traffic, I thought about all the secrets I knew about X. Most people assumed his name was Thomas Elliot Carrington III, but his mother had insisted on adding Xavier—her father’s name—to his. His grandfather had been a distinguished WWII veteran with a service record that was impressive as fuck.

I hadn’t had to snoop all that hard to find those details, but when it came to X, or rather Thomas, people only saw what they wanted to see, a gorgeous man in a bespoke suit with lots of money and connections. No one bothered looking any deeper unless he did something lurid.

X had gone by Xavier when he’d joined the army and special forces and eventually became known only as X. That information was supposed to be classified. I’d taken a huge risk looking into it, but it had paid off because it had led me to the connection I’d already suspected.

I exited my ride about a mile from where he lived. I didn’t relish the walk, especially not in the cold, but I couldn’t let some random driver know where I was really going.

I vibrated with anticipation and dread as I hurried toward X’s house. Would he send me away or accept my assistance and help me in return?

He’d seemed genuinely concerned for my safety when he’d asked me to do whatever was necessary to locate Swain. I’d warned him I was on the verge of getting caught, and he said he would protect me. But I’d learned early in life that words didn’t really matter, only actions did. I’d trusted words before and had always been disappointed.

I was breathing hard by the time I reached his house, and my thin gloves felt nonexistent. Why hadn’t I searched for my thicker ones?

Because you had to get out fast, idiot.

Right, frostbite was better than death.

I hurried down the driveway, walking quickly but not running. Even if I could have pushed myself that hard, it would draw attention I didn’t want.

Finally, I reached the porch of Carrington Manor, X’s family’s massive home. I expected the door to have an ostentatious knocker, but it didn’t. The intricately carved wood was enough to show the Carrington’s wealth. It wasn’t like they needed to scream it with a golden cherub. I pressed the simple white button on the doorbell and held my breath.

3

Xavier

I paced in front of my desk as I waited to hear more from Emilio. He’d called, sounding frantic, and told me our mission to eliminate Swain had been compromised.

I’d tried to reach Leo and Giorgio to call it off, but my calls hadn’t gone through. I hadn’t been able to reach Emilio either. Something was very seriously wrong. I could feel it. My skin was itchy all over and the back of my neck tingled.

Ever since we’d run surveillance together and I realized I was attracted to Emilio, I’d thought about him daily. He’d become more or less an obsession, though I’d managed to keep my interest a secret from everyone.

“Thomas?” I turned to see my sister, Senator Anna Carrington.

I planned to tell her whatever she needed would have to wait, but she must have known something was amiss from my expression. “What’s wrong?”

Before I could explain, the doorbell rang. Normally I’d let Jeffries, our butler, answer it, but instincts I’d learned not to ignore told me I had to get it. I raced from my office, and Anna followed me, her shoes clicking loudly in the marble entryway.

I nearly collided with Jeffries as he emerged from a hidden door that led to some mysterious location where he hid himself so he could magically appear when needed.

“I’m so sorry, sir,” he said, managing to make me feel like I was the one at fault. “There is no reason for you to—”

“Thank you, Jeffries. I’ll take care of this.”

He looked scandalized but moved back. He didn’t retreat far, though. He was ready to use his officious tone to send anyone on their way if they dared displease me. If I weren’t so tense, I would have smiled.

When I opened the door, I stared in shock at the thin, raven-haired young man who stood there. It was Emilio.

“How did you—?”

“Mr. Carrington, I need to speak with you immediately. I… need your help.”

He kept his voice steady, but his hands were clasped tight as if to keep them from shaking, and I heard an undertone of fear in his words.

For him to show up here and reveal he knew my true identity, things were likely even worse than I’d imagined.

I’d pushed Emilio to risk himself, and now… I should be angry or maybe scared that he knew who I was, but right then, all I could think about was how I’d put him in danger. He looked so vulnerable standing there, hair falling across his face, looking everywhere but my eyes.