Chapter 707

Just when I thought he was going to take one of the rings off—maybe to give it back to me as some kind of answer—he surprised me.

“But they look good on you. Unique, too,” he said, letting go of my hand.

I blinked, stunned by his reaction, before a small laugh slipped out. He still wouldn’t admit it.

I understood why he might hide his identity. It was probably for his safety, a way to protect himself. But why couldn’t he be honest with me? Did he not trust me? Or was he trying to protect me, too?

It didn’t really matter. As long as I knew who he was, that was enough.

“If you’re free today, come with me to see someone,” I said, recalling my promise to Yuna. “You know, I need you to pretend to be Hayden.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Alright,” he agreed easily. Then he gestured toward my untouched breakfast. “Hurry up and eat.”

I smiled faintly, digging in. He’d gone out of his way to make this, and it was exactly how I liked it. Skipping it wasn’t an option—especially since I’d barely eaten last night. Drinks didn’t count.

While I ate, Xander stepped out onto the terrace. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him standing there, his back to me. He was probably smoking.

For all his calm earlier, there was no way he wasn’t rattled by that phone call. He just hid it well.

Watching him made my chest ache, but I busied myself cleaning up after dinner anyway. As I carried the plates into the kitchen, he came back inside.

“You don’t have to clean up. Go freshen up,” Xander said, stepping closer.

The faint mix of smoke and his scent hit me—a combination I hadn’t smelled in ages. It was familiar, yet unsettling, flashing memories of him smoking and hiding his true self from me.

Before I could stop myself, I hugged him, burying my face in the curve of his neck. He froze but didn’t pull away. “What’s wrong?” he asked softly.

Clinging to his shirt, I murmured, “You smell good. Really good.”

He stayed quiet, letting me hold him, until he finally broke the silence. “Your friend was referred to them by someone.”

Chapter 718

I pulled back slightly, catching his meaning—Demi. Standing so close, I couldn’t miss the faint mark on his Adam’s apple. My bite. Perfectly placed, almost distracting.

I swallowed, forcing myself to focus. “She wasn’t coerced?”

“No,” he said firmly.

I thought of Demi’s words the last time I saw her. “She wouldn’t do that willingly,” I whispered.

“She must’ve had her reasons—or something she couldn’t say.” My gaze met his. “I want to see her. Can you help me?”

I needed someone like him to get into DracoLux.

He paused. “You seem especially interested in DracoLux’s business.”

“Because I suspect the man I love—Hayden—was hurt by Wayne, and Wayne and DracoLux are connected.”

His expression shifted. “Don’t you already think I’m him?”

I didn’t let him off the hook. “You won’t admit it. And honestly…” I tilted my head, mocking. “You’re too different. Wrong voice, wrong skin, even his mole is gone.”

Stepping back, I smoothed the wrinkles on his shirt. “You’re not him.”

I turned and left the kitchen, his voice trailing behind me. “She’ll be on tonight.”

He meant Demi, of course.

Chapter 708