Chapter 49

Xavier's blood was hot.

He no longer noticed the chill of the wind. No longer felt anything but a wild, ravenous thrill in his bones and a laser-sharp focus on what had to be done.

Everything he cared about was at stake. And he was willing to do whatever it took to protect it.

His finger was on the trigger. His eyes on the dark figures in front of him. They'd been careless. Much too noisy. And neither of them were prepared for an attack.

Or so he thought.

Their flashlight swung up, shining right into his eyes. He kept his gun arm steady, but the beam blinded him. Temporarily gave them the advantage.

One of the figures moved. Grabbed his wrist. The gun went off, shooting up into the air, and the second man grabbed his other arm, trying to pin him.

This wasn't Xavier's first fight. He'd been in a handful of bar brawls back in his extreme sports days, at least before his manager had convinced him he was sabotaging his own success. But he still remembered a few moves.

He swung his