Xander's POV

I kissed her. I fucking kissed her. I didn't mean to, nor did I plan on it, but I'm so damn glad I did. I've never felt something so perfect. The second my lips grazed hers; I wanted to pull her on top of me and fuck her right there. The way she moved her mouth against mine sent my dick is a mind-bending frenzy. She was shy and soft against my lips, even when I was rough. I couldn't get enough. She tasted like sweet nectar, and I just wanted to keep tasting. I didn't want it to end. However, I knew she wasn't ready, and more importantly, I knew she was hurt. I knew if I didn't stop and get away from her at that moment, I'd never leave. I'd grab her and carry her right to my bedroom and stay by her forever. However, after feeling her against me like that and hearing her distresses, it made me want to run faster to meet Daniel. My urge to kill him grew stronger.

I didn't realize she was so torn up about what that bitch Tessa said. Normally, I'd kill Tessa just for uttering a word about me, but I knew Harley would never forgive me if I did that. She needed the closure, and I wasn't giving it to her. I felt like the biggest dick in the world. My feelings for Harley began when I first saw her but have only gotten more intense. Being the man I am and doing the line of work I do, I'm not the right man for her. Hell, I've been lying to her from the beginning, and I still haven't had the balls to tell her I made everything up. It'll crush her, and I know that. I've been trying to push her away for my own selfish reasons, but it hasn't been effective at all.

I left her standing there. Crying. I sighed out and rubbed my hand over my face. "Boss, which way should we take?" Felipe called from the driver's seat.

"Take the public route. Make a show of it." I said and pulled out my phone. I hated coming to the city. It was loud, and there were enough phony bastards to go around. People who act like they are hard because they sell a couple of grams of weed. Little do people know the bitches they buy from report to me. Since I'm meeting Daniel, and he openly threatened me over the phone, he was going to see who will be steering this conversation. Let the city see my presence so they can raise havoc.

"You sure? People get a whiff you're around; it'll raise hell. Police will be everywhere." Felipe said.

"That's the plan," I muttered and looked out the heavily tinted windows of the large Cadillac SUV we were in.

"What did Daniel say to get you to agree to this meet-up?" Henry asked. "I never thought you'd do this." He shrugged, then pulled out a cigarette and sparked it up.

"Crack the window, you idiot." I sneered at him and rolled his eyes, and complied.

"So you going to tell us or what?" Ralph asked from the passengers' seat. My eyes moved to him, then back to Henry. They looked at me like I was a teacher about to tell do storytime. Fucking idiots.

"He said he wanted me to return Harley," I said casually. It's not like they won't find out in the next 30 minutes; I might as well tell them now.

"What?" Ralph said.

"Wait. Really?" Henry's eyes widened. I rolled my eyes at him and exhaled a deep breath.

"Yes. He said he'd pay my money back If I returned her to her regular life." My heart was speeding up just talking about it.

"You're going to do it?" Henry asked softly. His forehead frowned deeply, and he winced like someone just hit him. Ralph stared at me, too, waiting for my response. I even caught Felipe shaking his leg anxiously as he drove and looking at me through the mirror.

"No," I answered, then turned my head to look out the window. We were passing by the city now. The skyscrapers bounced off the car, and the city lights dancing on the window. Henry physically relaxed next to me.

"Wait. Why does he want her back?" Henry asked.

"I don't know," I said honestly. The only relationship between the two was connected to Avery, and Avery thought her friend was dead right now. I'd be lying if I said I had any idea on how this benefits him. He's a greedy bastard, and he's certainly not doing this to help Harley out.

"So why are we meeting up with Miller?" Ralph asked.

"Because he's planning something. I want to know what it is, and I know he'll tell me. Along with why he wants her back in the first place. He can't wait to brag." I started. "He knew I'd say no to his proposition; he just needed verbal confirmation that I had Harley to begin with."

"If you knew that, then why did you answer him," Henry asked.

"Because it doesn't matter. He won't win." I said. "I'm always one step ahead of him."

"What about Harley?" Ralph asked. My head snapped to him.

"What do you mean?" I asked in the most monotone voice I could muster.

"You have everything figured out, so it works in your favor, but what about what Harley wants? You've been lying to her this entire time." Ralph said. A fire ignited in my chest.

"Don't talk about stuff you know nothing about, Ralph." I barked at him. "You just met her three days ago, for fucks sake."

Silence fell on the car, and Ralph just stared back at me before replying. "Got it." He breathed with his teeth clenched together.

"We're coming up on the club. Get ready." Felipe called from the driver's seat.

"Damn, why is this place packed? It's 6 am," Henry muttered once Felipe pulled up tightly on the curb outside the club doors. The sleek black and gold building front was covered with people. A red velvet rope left off to the side with a huge line of people waiting to get inside. One of my large-bodied guards stood with an iPad in hand as he checked IDs one by one. I could hear the booming music from here.

"I don't think these people ever went home last night. That and word spread that the boss is in the city." Ralph answered.

"So many fine chicas out this lovely morning." Felipe licked his lips like he was looking at his dinner.

"Business first." I interrupted his thoughts. "Pleasure last."

"You should try and catch someone too, boss. You need to get laid desperately." Felipe said.

"Worry about your own subpar sex life," I said. There was no way in hell I was touching any of these mediocre drunk women. Not when I've already found a queen.

"Daniel just arrived." Ralph cut in. He had his phone pressed to his ear. A couple of seconds later, he opened his mouth again. "He's in the back VIP room."

"Alright, Felipe, make sure that fucker didn't bring anyone with him. Search the entire building. Henry, Ralph, Let's go." I nodded my head towards the door.

"We should've brought the other guys," Henry muttered under his breath as he swung his car door open. He stood on the sidewalk taking in the chaotic view of the club while I walked up behind him. "If something goes down, we're fucked." He deadpanned with an unwarranted smile on his face.

"Pedro, Julian, and Emilio have their own job to do. We'll be fine. The place is crawling with our men." I waved him off.

"Yeah, their job" He stuck his fingers up and made air quotes as he spoke, "is babysitting Harley." He dropped his hand. "She can take care of herself. Contrary to popular belief, she is more than capable."

"I never said she wasn't." I ignored the rest of his humorous rant and started walking towards the glass entrance. Harley was more than capable of taking care of herself. I knew that as much as Henry did, but that didn't ease my mind. "Go straight to the back," I said once Henry and Ralph caught up.

"Got it," Ralph said, then nodded his head towards Henry, and they both strode through the entrance before me, and I followed behind them.

"Welcome back, boss," The guard at the door rumbled towards me. I nodded curtly in response and strolled through the doors. Electrifying music blasted through the speakers as soon as we walked in. The air was heavy and muggy. The entire club was hot with everyone's body heat. Colorful beaming lights twirled against the walls of the room. The smell of sticky sweet drinks and heavy alcohol swirled in the air. The faint smell of marijuana lingered under my nose as I passed through a ground of youngins. They couldn't have been older than 20, about the same age as Harley. People were noticing me now. Heads turned from the bar to look at me, and every person in my path moved aside like I had just parted the red sea. The VIP area was blocked off by a flight of stairs and a series of velvet ropes, along with guards outside every section and room.

We strutted up the steps in sync up to the line of rope.

"Welcome back, sir." The guard at the entrance of the section said. I nodded to him as he pulled the velvet rope back so we could all walk through.

"In here," Ralph said, pointing to the first door by the staircase. It was in a secluded corner. It was a dark area, and even from the door, I could smell the reeking of phoniness. Daniel emitted it.

"Open the door. Let's get this over with." I looked down at my watch. It was a quarter to 7. Hopefully, Harley went back to sleep after I left. She looked tired. Drained.

"Yes, sir." and with that, Ralph pushed the painted black wooden door.

"You two stay outside the door." I saw taking the doorknob myself and shoved it open. My patience was running out, and the meeting hadn't even started. I took two steps forward, picking up my eyes. A small smirk played on his paper thin lips. His limp brown hair was decorated with gray and white strains. Deep frown lines encrusted his forehead and by his mouth. His simple yet ancient suit was half wrinkled. He was leaned back against the cushioned couch that was pushed against the small room wall. He had one leg crossed over the other and his arms spread out on the top booth. He looked like he sold couches for a living. Stupid prick. He looked comfortable. Too comfortable. Just the sight of him made me want to slit his throat.

"Xander." He breathed and dropped his arms to his lap, and stood up. "Long time no see." He smiled and stuck his hand out like we were old college buddies meeting up for brunch.

"--The fuck are you smiling for," I muttered and closed the room door with a slam. "Sit down." I ignored his hand and took a seat on the couch across from him.

"Guess the feeling isn't mutual." He muttered, took a seat back on the couch.

"Don't waste my time. Why am I here, Daniel?" I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him.

"Right." He nodded. "It about my daughter, Avery-"

---------------------------------------

HI HI HEY YALLLL!! Thanks to everyone for keeping up with updates and stuff. Y'all r the besttt. This is a shorter chapter since the last couple have been longer. I hope y'all enjoyed it!

If u did, feel free to comment or vote. If u didn't, comment any criticism u have! Also, feel free to follow I post on my board regularly

Kisses xoxoxo