THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US
799 Words
Lena – Fleeing the Inevitable
Lena couldn't recall how she'd found herself at her apartment.
Her lips still tingling from Xander's kiss, her body still aching from the desire between them.
And yet, she was here—alone.
Because Xander had done exactly what she knew he would.
Pulled away.
Like a coward.
She flung her bag onto the couch, fury rising within her. She had known better than that. Xander was not a man to give way. He worked on reason, authority, and pitiless effectiveness.
And she had just become his biggest distraction.
A knock at the door surprised her into wakefulness.
She paused before she opened it—half-hoping to see Xander standing before her, ready to push her away all over again.
But it wasn't Xander.
It was Ava.
And she looked like she'd just experienced a ghost encounter.
---
Ava – A Truth Too Heavy to Hold
"I need to speak with you," Ava declared, stepping in without invitation.
Lena scowled, shutting the door. "What's wrong?"
Ava held her arms, as if apart.
Then she handed Lena a folded paper.
Lena opened it slowly, eyes scanning its contents.
A birth certificate.
Her brows crumpled. "What's this?"
Ava swallowed hard. "Look at the name under 'Father.'"
Lena's heart was racing as her eyes landed on it.
Gideon Laurent.
Ava's voice was barely audible.
"He's my father."
Lena's breath caught. "Ava…"
Ava shook her head, trying to step back. "I don't know what this means, Lena. But if the Laurents get to know—"
"They already do," a deep voice interrupted from the doorway.
Lena turned around rudely.
Xander stood in the doorway, his face an image of impenetrable coldness.
Ava's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"
Xander walked in, shutting the door behind him.
"They've known for years," he snarled. "They were just waiting for the right moment to use you."
Ava felt air leave her lungs.
Because if that were true…
Then she had never been just a target.
She had been a pawn.
---
Xander – A War That Can't Be Avoided
Xander had known the moment Damien sent him the birth certificate.
Ava wasn't just being pursued.
She was being led away.
And if the Laurents had their way, she would be dragged into their world—one from which she couldn't escape.
Without blood.
Lena's voice was bitter. "Why in the world's name didn't you tell us sooner?"
Xander glared back at her. "Because knowing doesn't accomplish anything."
Ava breathed in short pants. "You're wrong."
Xander exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ava, I get it. You're scared. But panicking isn't going to fix this."
Ava laughed, a bitter sound. "Oh, I apologize. Should I just learn to get over the fact that I've been living a lie my whole life?"
Xander sighed. "No. But you have to be strategic here. If the Laurents think you'll fight them, they won't think twice about using violence."
Lena stepped in between them. "Then we don't let them."
Xander met her gaze. "You really think it's that simple?"
Lena's jaw clenched. "It is. We fight."
Xander breathed deeply, shaking his head. "You always make everything sound so damn easy."
Lena stepped closer, her voice softer. "And you always complicate things more than they have to be."
Xander's fingers curled. He wanted to grab her. Shake some sense into her.
But he also just. wanted her.
Lena must have seen it there because her expression softened—only a little.
And that was worse than her anger.
Because if she kept looking at him like that, he wouldn't be able to keep himself in check next time.
---
Ava – The Choice She Never Wanted
Ava fell down onto the couch, the magnitude of everything crushing her.
Gideon Laurent was her father.
And now the entire Laurent family was coming for her.
She swallowed. "What do I do?"
Xander slumped against the wall, arms crossed. "You have two options. You can run."
Lena's eyes flashed. "That's not going to happen."
Xander's eyes flicked back to her before settling on Ava again. "Or you can fight."
Ava's breath caught. "And if I lose?"
Xander's voice was devoid of emotion. "Then you belong to them."
Silence.
Heavy. Choking.
Ava met Lena's gaze, her voice shaking.
"I don't want to belong to anyone."
Lena gripped her hand. "Then we make sure you don't."
Xander massaged his hair, blowing out a sigh. "Damien's going to be pissed about this."
Ava breathed out. "Damien does not get to make this choice for me."
Xander's lips curled up—just barely. "He's not going to see it that way."
Ava straightened her spine, standing. "Then he can fight me, too."
And for the first time that night, Xander smiled.
---
- Writer
