Page 133 of Unbreakable Thread

She’s facing Toby, and he caresses her cheek lovingly. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” he whispers.

“Of course,” she says.

Xander sits back at the table, and they both stiffen. No one notices but me.

“Xander, this is Lana, Sol’s best friend and her boyfriend, Toby,” Max introduces them.

Xander is the first to extend his hand. “Nice to meet you…Lana.” His tone is sarcastic, and there’s a bite to it.

Toby shakes his hand. “Xander, nice to meet you.”

Xander nods, his jaw clenched.

“Max was just telling me you’re boxers,” Toby says cheerfully, swirling his rum and Coke.

“We are.” Xander gazes at Lana.

Wait, a minute. The guy she’s talking about is Xander? The one she slept with in the hospital. Oh, shit.

Lana swallows.

I grab my phone and shoot her a text.

Me: He’s the guy from the hospital?

She grabs her purse when she hears it vibrate.

Lana: Yes!!!

Me: Fuck, Lana. You should have told me his name.

Lana: I didn’t know it. Fuck. Fuck. He’s looking at me like he wants to strangle me. Why? He’s the one who left without a word. Why didn’t you ever mention his name? I would have put two and two together.

Me: I don’t know Xander that well, not like Leo and Drake. And it didn’t cross my mind. I’ve had a lot going on. And more like strangle you while he’s screwing you.

She giggles softly.

We tuck our phones back in our purses.

“I’m a ring doctor. I’ve been in the field for five, close to six years now,” Toby answers Drake’s question when he asks what he does. “My lady here is going to be working by my side, assisting with pre-fights and at my office.”

Xander stares at Lana, sitting on the opposite side, looking right into her eyes. His gaze is deadly. Intimidating. He’s not hiding it.

The waitress arrives with appetizers, then takes our order.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to the ladies’ room,” Lana tells Toby.

“Do you want me to go with you?” I ask.

“No, it’s okay. I just need a moment.” She peers at Xander.

His gaze drifts from hers, taking his whiskey in hand, swirling the amber liquid, then taking a drink while his eyes are back on her.

She shivers slightly, then leaves for the restroom. Not even three minutes later, Xander follows.

Max’s hand traces my thighs while he laughs and jokes with the guys. A smile forms on my face. This is happiness, this is family. Max grabs a potato skin, topped with cheese and bacon, and dips it into the small bowl of sour cream. Before he takes a bite, he puts it up to my mouth. He keeps feeding me nonchalantly, while laughing at something Leo says. I swat his hand away.

“You need to eat,” he whispers.