Chapter 31 Too Soon
Anna's POV
The man yanked at his trousers, leaving only his shorts as he crouched closer.
My stomach twisted violently.
No. I couldn’t— I just couldn’t.
Before my mind could catch up, my body reacted.
My leg shot up, and I kicked him hard.
He groaned, folding instantly, his face twisting in pain. “Hold her!” he snarled at his men. “You’re dead—”
His words cut off. A sharp sound split the air, it wasn't loud but precise enough to make his body jerk, then he went limp and collapsed right on top of me.
For a second, I didn’t understand.
Then— Another soft crack. The men holding me stiffened and dropped dead one by one.
I shoved the body off me and scrambled backward, my breath coming fast.
My eyes scanned quickly, I noticed entry wounds, it looked like a sniper's hand.
I pushed myself up and stumbled out of the van. And froze.
Xavier stood there, calm and collected. A faint, amused smile playing on his lips.
His men flanked behind him.
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I stared at him.
He walked toward me slowly, like nothing had just happened. Like I hadn’t almost gotten raped or perhaps killed.
His fingers brushed against my cheek. I hadn’t even realized I was crying.
He wiped the tears away casually. Then smirked. “So,” he said softly, “I’ve cracked your mysterious shell.”
I stiffened. “Turns out,” he continued, “you’re not as powerful as I thought.”
His words stung. But I said nothing. Instead, I steadied my breathing.
“Your plan didn’t work,” I said quietly.
He chuckled. “On the contrary,” he replied. “It worked perfectly.”
I frowned slightly.
“All I needed,” he continued, “was confirmation that Zack was behind the raids on my business.”
His eyes darkened slightly. “And now I have it.”
I swallowed. “I thought you wanted Zack dead.”
“I do,” Xavier said calmly. “But not directly.” He glanced briefly at the bodies behind me.
“Zack’s empire is too large. A direct attack would be… unwise.”
I nodded slowly. “So,” I said carefully, “I’ve proven my usefulness to you?”
He repeated the word softly. “Useful.” His gaze sharpened. “You speak as though you know something.”
A flicker of danger passed through me. I shook my head quickly. “No. I just—”
“Hmm.” He didn’t press further. Instead, he smiled faintly.
“So,” I said, shifting the topic, “what do you plan to do with me?”
Xavier laughed under his breath. “Don’t feel too proud of yourself,” he said. “You’re still dispensable.”
My fingers curled slightly.
“But,” he added, “there is a way you can remain under my protection.”
I met his eyes. “What way?”
His smile turned darker. “Simple,” he said. Then, with deliberate slowness— “Kneel,” he said. “And kiss my feet.”
Silence.
My heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears.
Was he serious? With Xavier, it was impossible to tell. Every word, every expression felt like a game he's playing or a test.
I swallowed hard. Then lifted my chin slightly. “Can I be honest?” I asked.
He tilted his head. “Why not?”
I took a breath. “Despite everything,” I said, “I’d rather go back to my former foster parents… than kneel before you.”
A pause.
Then I added, quietly but firmly— “You’re a pretty devil from hell.”
For a moment, he said nothing. Then Xavier laughed. Genuinely amused.
His eyes gleamed with something dangerous. “I like that,” he said.
Then his tone shifted, it became cold and sharp.
“Then I’ll make sure,” he continued, “you’re sold to the cruelest Don I know.”
My stomach dropped. The reality of it settled in immediately.
I swallowed hard.
Xavier didn’t spare me another glance. “Take her back,” he told his men. “I still have business here.”
They bowed slightly and gestured. “This way.”
I didn’t hesitate. There was nothing left for me there.
I climbed into the car with them, my body still tense, my mind replaying everything that had just happened, the gunshots.
The ride back to the mansion was quiet. By the time we arrived, I felt like I was walking on thin ice.
The moment I stepped inside, I saw Lucas, he was pacing.
The second his eyes landed on me, they widened with relief.
He rushed toward me and pulled me into a tight hug. “Thank God you’re safe,” he said, his voice low but strained.
For a moment, I froze.
Then I slowly relaxed in his arms. “I’m fine,” I said softly.
He pulled back, his hands still on my shoulders, scanning me like he was checking for injuries.
“Are you hurt?”
“Not really,” I replied. “I’m okay.”
His jaw tightened slightly, like he didn’t fully believe me. “I’ll take you to your room,” he said.
I almost refused. But something in his expression made me nod instead.
We walked in silence.
The tension between us was thick, unspoken.
When we got to my room, he opened the door, let me in—then followed behind and locked it.
The click echoed. I cleared my throat. “I… need to shower. And change.”
He didn’t move. “I don’t want to leave your side,” he said quietly.
I met his eyes. “You have to. Xavier will be back soon.”
That made him hesitate.
For a moment, it looked like he wanted to argue.
Then something shifted in his expression, something heavier.
“Anna…” he said slowly.
My chest tightened slightly. “What is it?”
He exhaled. Then said it. “You’re being auctioned tomorrow.”
My breath caught. “What?”
My eyes widened. Tomorrow? That fast?