She couldn''t believe it-back when Yvonne was losing her mind, there was no

way Dan hadn''t heard the news. And yet, he never once showed up. Now, he just up and left, no warning, no exnation.

If a man truly loves a woman, it doesn''t matter what he''s dealing with-he

wouldn''t just walk out on her, not like this.

But Dan was gone.

Xander tossed his half-smoked cigar onto the ground and barked, "Go get my wife. Bring her out."

No way was he stepping foot into Dan''s ce. He wrinkled his nose; the very idea seemed beneath him.

Shawn hurried to gather a few men, ready to barge in and find Yvonne.

But Yvonne''s voice cut through the chaos, "Alright, stop looking."

Everyone froze for a split second. Shawn spun around, scanning the yard, until he spotted Yvonne sitting cross-legged on top of the brick wall, arms folded.

Seriously? How long had she been up there?

"Sis, you could''vee out on your own?" Shawn blurted, baffled. If she could get out, why had she been hiding up there, spectating like she was at some kind of parade?

Xander''s gaze followed,nding on Yvonne. He smirked. "Was the show any good?"

Yvonne shot him a look, but said nothing.

He chuckled, "So, can you see straight now, or are you still blind to Dan''s crap? Left you again, didn''t he?"

Yvonne was speechless. The nerve of this guy. If you don''t know what to say, maybe just don''t say anything at all.

Yvonne huffed, "Do I look like I need him? Who does he think he is anyway?"

She hated to admit it, but yeah-Dan had left her.

Xander called up, "Want me to carry you down?" "No thanks."

Yvonne snapped and, without a second thought, jumped right off the wall. The height wasn''t an issue for her-she''d done crazier things.

But this time, she misjudged. Shended awkwardly, her foot slipping on some loose rubble-st debris from earlier and she tumbled,nding t on her rear.

She was already fuming inside, but now? Now she was seeing red.

"Damn, the richest guy in Litamark can''t even fix the driveway outside his house," she growled.

Shawn instinctively moved to help her, but a sharp look from Xander made him freeze in his tracks and step aside. "Bro, she''s all yours."

Xander scoffed and started toward her, but Chloe beat him to it, quickly helping Yvonne to her feet.

Chloe whispered, "That was from the explosion."

Yvonne gritted her teeth. Of course-another thing to me on Dan.

Xander reached her in two strides, grabbing her wrist and pulling her firmly into his chest. His muscles were solid as a buck wall and Yvonne suddenly found it hard to breathe.  s

She squirmed, "Hey, what are you doing? Let me go!"

Xander''s eyes narrowed. "Don''t tell me you were stuck in there this whole timefn82ff For more chapters visit FindN()vel/fn82ff

because he was holding you hostage."

Yvonne was drained-whatever drugs they''d given her were still messing with her strength. She''d used up what little energy she had Climbing the wall  fo s

"Let me go,” she muttered, her voice small and weak-nothing like her usual bravado.

Xander smirked at the difference. He

was used to her being loud and

tough but now now she was soft

and helpless in his arms it was

almost-almost-like she wanted to stay there.  s

"What''s the matter?" he teased. "Tired of ying the badass? Switching to damsel-in-distress now?"

"You-" Yvonne started, but he cut her off.

"Come on, Yvonne. Don''t start ying hard to get. That''s so not your style."

She gaped at him. Hard to get? Was this guy for real?

"What the hell are you talking about? Me? ying hard to get with you?" she snapped, indignant.

She''d seen enough trust fund princesses pull that act tost her a lifetime—and it made her sick. No way was she that type.

Xander just grinned, "Oh yeah? Then why are you snuggling up to me right now?" "Snuggling-?!" Yvonne sputtered, scandalized.