Kimberly's body was still thrumming with pain and adrenaline when the SUV swung through the gates of a modest two-story building. The silence that greeted her as she stepped out was unnerving, broken only by the hum of security gadgets.

The heavy doors swung closed automatically behind them.

She followed Arturo, Xavier's giant assistant, through echoing corridors and up a winding staircase. Motion sensors blinked and cameras swiveled, tracking her movements. The building felt empty except for guards stationed at intervals like silent sentinels.

Arturo wordlessly ushered her into a dimly lit room, handed her a phone and left. Xavier was nowhere in sight.

Her mind was still reeling. Xavier. After four years of silence, he'd appeared like some dark avenging angel and pulled her from that cellar. How had he even known where to find her?

The burner phone rang. She found it where she'd tossed it on the nightstand, wondering who'd be calling the line.

She answered. "Hello?"

"Kim!" Tasha's voice cracked with relief and tears. "Oh my God, is it really you? Xavier said he found you, but I needed to hear your voice…"

"It's me, Babes." Kimberly's own voice broke. "I'm okay. I'm safe."

"Safe where? Where are you? Are you hurt? What happened?"

"I'm... somewhere secure. I don't know exactly where. And I'm okay, just shaken up." She didn't mention the rope burns on her wrists, the ache in her shoulders. "I'm so sorry I scared you."

"Scared me? Kim, I thought…" Tasha's breath hitched. "When they found your car like that, and your phone was gone, I thought the worst. I thought I'd lost you."

"I know. I'm sorry." Kimberly sank onto the bed, suddenly exhausted. "My phone is destroyed. This is a burner Xavier gave me."

"Xavier, yea. He gave me the number." Tasha's tone shifted, protective and suspicious. "Kim, are you sure you're safe with him? He just shows up after four years and suddenly he's your knight in shining armor?"

"I don't know what he is." Kimberly rubbed her temples. "But he got me out of that place. The police hadn't even found me yet."

"That's what worries me. How did he find you so fast?"

"I don't know that either." She glanced at the door, lowering her voice. "Tasha, the men who took me, they were waiting for someone. A buyer, they said. Like they were going to sell me."

Silence on the other end. Then: "Jesus, Kim."

"I need you to do something for me. That photo I sent you yesterday, the blurry one with the woman and child. Did you find anything?"

"I'm still working on it. The resolution is terrible, but I'm running it through enhancement software. Should have something in a day or two." Tasha paused. "Kim, do you think that's connected? To what happened?"

"I don't know. Maybe. It feels like too much of a coincidence."

"I'll dig deeper. And Kim? Call your mom, let her know you're okay. I told her your phone broke. She'll panic if she doesn't hear from you."

"Thank you." Relief washed over her. "I'll call her now."

"Be careful, okay? With Xavier. I know you two have history, but…"

"I know. I will."

After they hung up, Kimberly sat alone in the pristine room. Exhaustion crashed over her. The bed beckoned, but she forced herself to shower and change. She'd wanted to just rest her head briefly, then call her mom.

When she woke, the sun was making its shy debut, birds chirping outside. She looked at the phone.

9.20 am.

The aroma of food filled the room. She spotted an array of plates on the table and made a beeline for it, devouring everything.

The door swung open just as she finished.

Xavier walked in, impeccable in a charcoal suit and cream shirt, the first three buttons undone. His dark green eyes pinned her.

"Good morning, Kimberly. Sleep well?"

"Hello, Xavier." She pushed the plates aside. "Yes, I slept well. Thanks for the food. And for the rescue."

He nodded. "You'll stay here a while. Let's figure out who and why you were taken, to avoid a repeat."

Her laugh was humorless. "Who died and made you king over my life? I'm leaving today. I can handle myself."

Xavier's expression didn't change. "Still as stubborn as a mule. Does that mean you know who orchestrated the kidnapping?"

She stared out the window, jaw tightening. "No. I don't. But I won't be a prisoner again, not even in your house, surrounded by unseen eyes and gun-wielding giants."

He merely stared, his gaze dragging over her body, now clad in a clean shirt and jeans. Her heart began to beat faster, her mouth going dry. She strode to the window and stared at the garden bursting with colors, trying to ignore the heat building in the room.

"Tell me, Xavier," she said. "Are you mafia? Or just some crime lord masquerading in silk suits? How many secrets are you hoarding? Is Xavier even your real name? Because I obviously don't know you at all."

He leaned back and crossed his legs. "I am Xavier, and you know me where it matters. I just have the right tools and connections to make things happen. That's all you need to know."

She stared at him, eyes alive with tension as she worried her lips. He stared at those lips, mesmerized. She watched him watching her with lust-filled eyes, and heat gathered at her core.

She unconsciously ran her tongue over her full lips, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as he drew closer. He stopped a few feet away, lifted her chin, and without preamble, claimed her lips in a searing kiss.

Kimberly trembled at the contact. She gripped his shirt, instinctively drawing him closer. Xavier growled and dug his tongue deeper into her warm mouth, his hand traveling downward to grab her perky breasts. Kimberly moaned, her breaths coming in ragged bursts. Her hands roamed over him, frantic and needy, searching for more of his inked skin, for more heat, for more of him.

His mouth closed over her lower lip, sucking and biting gently until a tremor ran through her. Then he moved upward, leaving a trail of urgent, feathered kisses across her cheek. His tongue swept the curve of her ear, a searing lick followed by the nip of his teeth against her neck. She tipped her head to bare more of herself, breath breaking into shallow pants. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her knees threatened to give way.

"I can still make you forget your own name in an instant, Kim, my little phoenix," he breathed against her ear.

Her eyes flew open, the pleasure vanishing in a blink. She froze, then fixed him with a hard, unblinking stare.

"Shit! What did I say wrong?" he asked, bewildered as she quickly detached herself.

"Fuck you, Xavier." She dragged in breaths to steady herself. "After everything we shared? How were you able to just walk away? I meant nothing to you. That's how."

Xavier strode to the bar and poured himself a stiff drink, even though it was barely ten in the morning. "It was nothing like that, I assure you." He downed the drink in one gulp and winced. "My life is complicated. Has always been. Maybe one day, I can explain."

"Don't explain shit to me. I just need to go home."

Xavier drifted toward her, as if drawn by a force stronger than her anger. He slowly reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She drew back as if he were a snake, but the wall kept her in place.

"Don't you dare touch me, Xavier!" she snapped, swatting his hand away. "Don't invade my space like you own me, you spineless weasel playing hero."

He pulled back and squeezed his eyes shut, exhaling a long breath.

"Arrggh, Kimberly." His voice was raw. He turned away, stripping off his jacket and throwing it on the couch, slumping into the chair, shoulders tense, hands gripping his knees.

"There's a lot you don't know, and I can't disclose. Not yet. Not until I'm sure you're the Kimberly that stole my heart back in the day. Not until I've sorted things out."

"Save it! I'm done with your deceit and half-baked lies." She turned back to stare out the window. I need to go home ASAP."

He stood, jacket in hand. "You'll have everything you need to be comfortable. If not, call Arturo. His number is saved on that phone he gave you."

Her fury erupted. "Damn you, Xavier. I'm not your prisoner, let me go!" She screamed, running after his retreating back. He turned abruptly, causing her to slam into his chest. He didn't try to steady her as she faltered.

"You'll go home when I say the coast is clear," he murmured, his lips only a breath away from hers. "Not a second before, Cutie."

With two long strides, he was gone, the door shutting in her face. Kimberly pounded on it, unladylike obscenities flying from her mouth. Her voice echoed through the hallway.

Xavier chuckled as Arturo emerged from the shadows.

"A feisty one," Arturo smirked. "I would've liked her, but she may be a threat."

Xavier's smile vanished, his eyes narrowing to slits. "What threat?"