Chapter 4 FRESHER'S NIGHT

Hailey walked back toward her friends, her heart still hammering in her chest. She could still feel the lingering heat of Xavier's intense gaze, the way his smirk had sent a strange shiver down her spine. She shook her head, trying to push the memory of the encounter out of her mind.

She reached their table and Jessa raised a brow.

"What took you so long and where's the book you went to get?"

Hailey hesitated, gripping the hem of her top.

"I, um..." She glanced at Asher, who was focused on his phone but he was paying attention to the conversation.

"I got caught up looking for it but it wasn't there" she said and Jessa frowned.

"That's weird. You were gone for a while. Are you sure you're okay?"

Hailey forced a smile.

"Yeah, of course"

"Hailey come sit here" Asher invited her to the seat beside her.

"Umm...sorry I have to go" Hailey said grabbing her backpack before rushing out of the library without waiting for a response.

Jessa stared after Hailey, her brows furrowing.

"Okay... what was that about?"

Asher exhaled, setting his phone down.

"She seemed off" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

•••

Xavier got into his car, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he leaned back against the seat. He twirled the cigarette between his fingers, his mind replaying the look on Hailey's face back at the library.

Pure innocence.

It fascinated him. How easily she flustered, how her wide eyes revealed everything she was feeling. He had seen the nervousness, the curiosity... something she was probably too naive to recognize herself.

He smirked.

"This should be fun"

Tossing the cigarette out the window, he grabbed his phone and scrolled through his messages. A few unread texts from girls who wanted his attention...none of them interesting.

He exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel as he revved the engine. The low growl of his car filled the air, and with a sharp turn of the wheel, he sped off like a bullet.

Streetlights blurred past as he weaved recklessly between cars, the rush of speed fueling the chaos in his veins. A driver honked furiously when he cut them off but Xavier only laughed, flipping them off without a second thought.

The thrill of danger, of pushing limits, was an addiction he never planned on quitting.

A red light was sighted but he didn't stop.

The screech of tires, the distant shouts of pedestrians...none of it mattered. The only thing in his mind was the destination.

Minutes later, he skidded to a halt in front of an abandoned building on the outskirts of town. Dust and gravel kicked up around his tires as he killed the engine, stepping out into the street. The place was quiet and isolated.

Xavier ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening.

Inside, two men were already waiting. They straightened when they saw him, their postures stiff, wary. He wasn't the kind of guy you crossed without consequences.

"You're late" one of them whose name was Viper, muttered.

Xavier smirked, his tongue running over his piercing before he pulled out a cigarette to smoke.

"And you're still alive. Lucky you" he said and Viper became tensed.

"Let's get this over with" Xavier said with authority.

The other man, Knox, a burly guy with a jagged scar running down his cheek, crossed his arms.

"You came alone?"

Xavier exhaled a long stream of smoke.

"Do I look like I need backup?" His voice was calm, but there was an underlying menace that made the guy hesitate.

Vipee pulled out a duffel bag and dropped it on a metal table with a loud thud.

"It's all there" he said, unzipping it slightly to reveal stacks of cash and a few sealed packets...probably drugs, possibly weapons.

Xavier took a step closer. "And you're sure you're not trying to screw me over?"

Knox scoffed.

"We know better than that"

Xavier's smirked. "Do you?"

In a flash, he grabbed Knox by the collar, yanking him forward so their faces were inches apart. The room tensed instantly.

"You see" Xavier murmured, his grip tightening,

"I don't like being played. And if I find out even one dollar is missing, I will personally make sure you regret ever meeting me"

Knox swallowed hard, nodding quickly.

Xavier shoved him back with a smirk.

"Good. Now, let's finish this before I lose my patience"

The transaction continued and no one dared challenge him because they knew what happened to people who did.

As the last of the transaction wrapped up, Xavier's new phone buzzed loudly in his pocket. He barely spared it a glance before pulling it out.

The screen flashed with a name he knew all too well.

He clenched his jaw, irritation flickering in his eyes. He already knew what the call was about, and he didn't give a damn.

With a scoff, he toss