Chapter 14: Xavier.

She stills and I know she's seen the bruises peppering the side of my neck.

Reeve shifts uncomfortably beside me, or rather his aura does and my head comes up with several reasons for that. One of the most plausible ones is that his privileged ass is finding the seat uncomfortable.

Janette's worry subsides and she clears her throat. I place my focus back on her and the brilliance of her aura almost blinds me again. Which would be ironic because I'm already blind.

"Did you hurt your neck somewhere, a fall maybe?"

I chuckle and shake my head at the same time.

"You can ask me direct questions, y'know. I'll answer them as truthfully as I can."

I feel something warm radiate off her and it makes me feel relieved. I know that's what she also feels.

"What happened to you then? A six-foot tall man doesn't just develop bruises at the side of the neck."

I smile and nod.

"How many six-foot men have you known in your life, Janette? You sound like you deal with ten or twenty of us in a good