Chapter 101 Unpredictability
Anna's POV
I hurried toward Lilly, my confusion growing with every step. "Lilly, what's going on? Why is Cole in the trunk like an enemy?"
She looked genuinely apologetic. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I should have informed you, but the Don's orders were urgent, I didn't want to delay."
I frowned. "What orders?"
She glanced toward the SUV where Cole had just been locked inside the trunk. "Mr. Xavier called and he ordered me to detain Mr. Cole immediately. So the moment he stepped outside, we acted."
I blinked. "What? For what? What did Cole do?"
Lilly shook her head. "The Don didn't explain, so I don't know. He only instructed me to bring Mr. Cole back to the mansion."
I folded my arms. "Is Xavier back already?"
"I don't know either, he didn't say," she answered.
I let out a breath of frustration. "Of course he didn't." I muttered under my breath. "Xavier and his unpredictable ways."
Without asking another question, I climbed into the back seat of the car.
Serena stood outside the open door. "I won't be coming back to the mansion with you, Anna. I've got other things to handle today."
I nodded. "No problem. And thank you... for everything, Serena."
She smiled faintly. "You're welcome. Take care of yourself."
"You too, Serena." The door closed, and moments later the convoy pulled away from the curb.
The ride back to the mansion was unusually quiet.
Nobody seemed willing to break the silence. Outside, buildings slipped past the windows.
Inside, the only sound came from the steady hum of the engine.
Eventually, I looked toward Lilly. "You seem tense, what's wrong?"
She gave a nervous laugh. "I'm always tense whenever I see Mr. Xavier or even hear his voice."
I smiled knowingly. "I understand that feeling, It used to be the same for me."
She turned toward me in surprise. "Really? So you're not afraid of him anymore?"
I considered the question carefully. "I still am, just not the way I used to be."
She nodded slowly. "I'm used to Lucas. I worked directly under Lucas for years. With him, I always knew where I stood."
"But with Xavier..." She shivered. "You never know whether he's pleased with you or wondering if today is the day he kills you."
I couldn't help laughing softly. "Exactly, you've said the truth. I'm married to him and even I can't tell his intentions."
That earned a genuine laugh from her.
After a moment she looked at me curiously. "I've always wanted to ask. What's it like? Being married to Xavier."
I leaned back in my seat. "Honestly? I don't know." She waited. "I still don't understand why he married me. Since our wedding, he hasn't exactly spent much time with me. He hasn't really acted like a husband."
I looked out the window. "Sometimes... It feels like I'm married to the devil."
Lilly laughed. "I don't think devils marry for love."
"Probably not. But..." I smiled to myself. "I think Xavier loves me in his own devilish way."
"Ooh." She grinned. "Toxic love you mean?"
I nodded. "Yes. That's probably the right description."
She became thoughtful. "And what about Lucas? Isn't his love toxic too? I mean... he did try to kidnap you."
I sighed. "I'm not sure. I think he genuinely believed he was saving me."
"Lucas is..." I searched for the right word. "Steady and warm. The kind of person who makes you feel safe."
Lilly looked at me curiously. "So tell me honestly. Which of the brothers are you in love with?"
The question hit harder than I expected.
For several seconds I couldn't answer. Finally I spoke. "I think..." I swallowed. "...I'm in love with both of them."
Her mouth fell open. "Is that even possible?"
I gave a helpless shrug. "Lucas reminds me of the life I've always wanted."
"A quiet home, a kind husband; Someone who puts family first."
Lilly smiled. "Then why didn't you choose him when you had the chance?"
I stared ahead. "Because my life has never been quiet. I grew up moving from one danger to another. So chaos became normal."
"And somehow, Xavier brings that danger in a way that's..." I laughed awkwardly. "... really exciting."
Lilly shook her head in disbelief. "That's a lot to unpack."
"It is." I smiled sadly. "When I'm with Lucas, my past almost disappears. It feels like none of it matters anymore."
"But with Xavier, my past suddenly has meaning. Everything I've survived, everything I've sacrificed. It all becomes part of something."
"And maybe," I looked down at my hands. "I need that. Otherwise everything I've endured feels meaningless."
Lilly remained silent for a long moment. Finally she spoke. "You know what I think?"
"What?"
"I think you need therapy."
I stared at her. She smiled kindly. "I don't think that's love talking. I think that's trauma. And until you heal... I don't know if you'll ever truly understand what love feels like."
For a brief second I almost confessed everything.
That I wasn't just Xavier's wife. That I was an assassin, a spy. A woman living a lie.
Instead I simply smiled. "Maybe you're right."
The car rolled through the mansion gates a few minutes later.
As we stepped out, I looked at Lilly. "You know... I think you'll make a better assistant than Eve ever did."
She smiled modestly. "I don't think so, Eve was a fighter. She belonged in the mafia world. I'm nothing like her."
"That's exactly why I like you." She looked puzzled. "I need someone who reminds me that the normal world still exists."
Her smile softened.
Before the guards could move Cole inside, I stopped them. "Lilly, can I have a minute alone with him before you take him to Xavier?"
She hesitated only briefly. "Of course. He's all yours."
I nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
The guards opened the trunk and helped Cole out.
His wrists were still tied behind his back.
I looked at the men. "Give us one minute."
They bowed respectfully and walked a short distance away.
Only when we were completely alone did I turn to face Cole.