...Xavien POV...With every step I take away from Mekayla, my heart is crushed into small pieces. Every bone in my body wants to turn back and take her into my arms. I need to protect her and not turn a blind eye to what is happening. She does not have to be alone even though she insists that she should. I am not a man that walks away from a woman in need; having to leave her like that goes against everything I stand for.And to make it even worse is the man I have to leave her in there with. This man just had her pressed up against a wall, and believe me; it is not in a good way. Who knows what else he is capable of. What is up with the men in her life that treat her this way. I don't understand how she just lets it happen. Surely she knows that she deserves better than men like Raymond. I should have knocked him harder than I did.So as I walk back to the table, I see Molly look at me in a cheeky way and smile."I hope that you did that to him.""The man i

…Xavien POV…There are some things in your life you wish you never had to think of. Some things that you wish you can sweep underneath the rug and hope that is where they will stay. Now I have had my fair share of bad luck, if not by my own hands, then by the one of another. Now, if you think you can keep them right where they belong, then you are sorely mistaken. They will find a way to pop their head up when you least expect it.Now there is a story that I do not often tell; in fact, not even Mr. Sinclair and Billy know of it. There was a girl that I met through a good friend of mine; I truly did fall head over heels in love with her. We spend almost every waking moment together, so it was only natural that I asked for her hand in marriage. So as all things got with couples at this stage of a relationship, I trusted her with everything. But I never expected her to show me what her true colors were. How she waited patiently for a year is beyond my understand

…Mekayla POV…With the kiss between Xavien and me still very much alive in my thoughts, I climb the wall to get into my window, but I stop halfway as the thought of his lips on mine captivated me completely for a moment, and I experience it all over again. I get back through my window and who do I find waiting for me in my room. My mother."Hello, mother.""Hello, mother? Is that all you can say? I have been waiting for you for over an hour, and then I had to make some lousy excuse as to why you did not come back from freshening up?""I told you that I do not like Raymond and that he is only after your money.""And I have told you that you are wrong about him. I have seen what kind of a person he is, and he will be a good husband for you like your father is to me."Well, that is an understatement of the year. As I recall throughout my childhood that my dad did a little more than just talk to my mother, and she was more than once away on "h

…Mekayla POV…I take a deep breath to face the rest of the night with Raymond. The only thing that keeps me going is the thought of seeing Xavien later tonight. I just need to be here for a few hours, and then I will start faking a sickness. I hope my plan works because I really need to see Xavien tonight, even if it is just for a moment."You look so beautiful tonight, Mekayla."I look at my mother standing there waiting with anticipating to hear my response to his all so charming words."Thank you, Raymond."I walk downstairs, and he holds out an arm for me to hook my hand into. That is the last thing I want to do. I want to turn and get out of this hell hole. But the only thing that gets me through the night is the thought of seeing quite possibly the love of my life. My mother then turns around and starts to attend to the rest of her guests."What do you think is going to happen between us? Do you really think this is going to go somew

…Xavien POV…I was unaware of how a single friendly gesture might have seemed if there is a bit more to what the eyes were seeing. Of course, I know what my relationship with Sammy is, but did Mekayla know? Somehow I don't think so, for that hurt in her face showed me that I have just made a far bigger mistake than I realized.It only took me but a few steps, and I was right at the door, but she was far faster than what I was. The moment I saw her speeding off in her car, I knew by the way the car was swerving that she was far more upset than it seemed she was.But then it happened, it happened so fast. She must have lost control, for her car started to spin on the icy road, round and round, in circles she goes. I watch as her body is flung from one side of the car to the other. Then it lifts off the road and tumbles, moving inches closer and closer to a large old tree on the side of the road. Then she comes crashing to a horrific stop as her car slams s