To Say Goodbye

Chapter 9

Xander's POV

Xavier and I are sitting in our home office discussing details before the video call. James walks in holding three cups of coffee.

"I just met our little spitfire!" James smiles passing around the mugs.

"Oh yeah? How is our little M this morning?" Xavier asks sipping on his coffee.

"Good! She is in the kitchen with mama Rosa. They hit it off instantly. They are making snacks for later. Singing and swaying their hips while they work." He answers Xavier.

I lean back in my chair and smirk as I imagine my little temptress dancing around my kitchen.

"We are gonna have to be careful with those two! I smell trouble with that dynamic duo!" Xavier laughs out.

James nods his head in agreement chuckling softly. "That's for sure! I'd hate to be the tall man getting scolded by those feisty shrimps." We all burst out laughing at that.

Our heads all snap to the door when we hear a muffled yell down the hall. "This place is HUGE!" A woman yells loudly. I guess the friends have arrived.

"There's Mel! I'd know that loud mouth anywhere!" Xavier chuckled trying not to spill his coffee. We stay silent a moment trying to list for the girls, but all is quiet. Then we hear heavy footsteps heading towards us. A moment later, Andre waltzes in and plops down beside James on the couch.

"Everything go okay, picking the girls up?" Xavier asks with a knowing smirk.

Andre let's out a comical frown of embarrassment. "Yeah, you could have warned me about Brandi though!" He whined at Xavier.

Xavier doubles over laughing as he grips his stomach. James and I give each other questioning looks. Clearly both out of the loop.

"She is the boldest woman I have ever met. Handsy too!" Andre shivered at the memory causing Xavier to laugh louder. "You guys will see what I mean when you meet her. Just don't say I didn't warn you." he huffed looking at James then Me.

"Have any of you seen Maggie this morning?" Andre asks lightly.

"Yeah, I met her in the kitchen with your mom earlier." James answers.

"So you saw the..." Andre questions pointing to his face.

"Yeah man, her poor face is so bruised. I couldn't believe it." James stated suddenly serious.

My blood ran cold. That fucker Sutton bruised my little temptress' face!?

"I know, the girls were freaking out over it and she said her ribs were worse. She tried to brush it off, but she was hit hard. I can't even imagine what her ribs look like." Andre stated sullenly. I know he feels guilty about her getting hurt. It is not his fault, we all feel guilty.

Xavier and I share a look. He has the same furious gaze I know is showing on my face. We haven't even seen her bruises yet, but were are making a unspoken vow. Sutton will pay. The King brother's are out for blood.

My computer begins to ring, breaking the tension in the room. I just have to get through this video call and then I can go see HER. Maggie, my little temptress.

~~~~~~

Maggie's POV

I'm standing by the snack table eating some fruit. I'm so glad mama Rosa thought to make snacks. We have been out here for nearly 40 minutes. The sun feels amazing. I haven't gotten in the pool. My ribs hurt too bad to swim. I'm glad the girls are enjoying themselves though. When we went to put our bathing suits on, they were able to see my ribs. All of them looked concerned, but I assured them I didn't think anything was broken. I'm wearing Xander's tshirt still with my bikini bottoms underneath. The strings of my bikini top hurt my ribs too much so, I just opted to wear the shirt. At least its comfortable and covers my body well.

"There are my ladies! How are you all liking the pool?" Xavier asks walking out of the house with James, Andre, and Xander following. All of them are wearing their swim trunks. I didn't think they would ALL join us. More the merrier I guess.

"Xavier!" "What's up my man" "Ooo, you brought friends!" Cass, Mel, and Brandi all chime. He laughs and starts making his way to me.

"They are all yours Brandi!" Xavier chuckles. Andre's face pales slightly at this. I giggle at Andre and return to my strawberry.

"I heard you and mama Rosa bonded over snacks M. Glad to see your enjoying your hard work!" Xavier chuckles next to me.

I nod and continue chewing the mouthful of strawberry. When I finally swallow I turn and give Xavier a smile. Only... he is not joking around anymore. He looks serious, almost pissed. Then I realized he is staring at the bruise on my jaw. He gently cups my chin and angles my face so he can see it better.

"M, your face... It's worse than I thought..." Xavier stated with concern etching his face. His expression quickly turns deadly and he looks over my head to someone behind me. I could feel his looming presence. Xander.

Xavier, with his fingers still under my chin, turns my head so Xander could see the bruise. Xander's expression is cold. His eyebrows were furrowed as those piercing eyes examined the right side of my jaw. I couldn't take his gaze any longer so I turned back to face Xavier.

"I'm fine guys, rela-" I start to say.

"You think that's bad just take a glimpse at her ribs!" Mel interrupted me. I glared at her. These men were already making a big deal out of the bruise on my face. I don't even want to know their reaction to my ribs.

"Show me." a low deep voice sounded behind me. I looked to Xavier for a way out of this, but he only raised an eyebrow in challenge. He wanted to see too.

I slowly turned to face Xander. I can feel his anger coming off him in waves. I'm nervously playing with the hem of the shirt trying to avoid his eye.

Xander takes a step closer and kneels in front of me. "You can either raise the shirt or I can take it off of you myself. Don't make me ask you again." Xander commanded calmly.

"Well that heated up quickly. Geez Xander, at least by her a drink first!" Xavier joked.

I laughed, only to immediately regret it because of the pain. I wince and grip the ribs on my left side gently upon reflex to the pain.

Seeing my distraction, Xander began slowly lifting his shirt up my body. My breath hitched as I felt his fingers gently brush my skin as he lifted it up higher. He held my gaze as his hands moved slowly up my thighs and over my hips. He was setting me on fire with every brush of his rough fingers. My core clenched at the thought of his hands being so near my center.

Once Xander was close to my ribs I began to panic. I'm not wearing my bikini top. If he takes the shirt off I'll be exposed! I quickly snatch the shirt from him and pull it up to my breasts making sure to keep them covered while still showing my ribs. My lower breast is showing slightly. Xander's eyes darken with lust as he gazes at it then quickly looks away to compose himself.

Xander's eyes are hard and his jaw is clenched. Why is he so angry seeing my bruise. It is just a bruise!

Xavier moves to stand beside his brother so he can take a look too. His expression angry as well. However, It quickly changes to amusement. He tilts his head to the side and raises an eyebrow at me. "M, why are you not wearing a bikini top?" Xavier asks.

I blush immediately. "The strings were aggravating the bruises on my ribs too much. So, took a chance that Xander wouldn't mind me possibly ruining his shirt in the pool." I explain with a light chuckle.

"I don't care about the f*****g shirt Maggie!" Xander stated furiously. He was still staring at my exposed ribs. I jumped slightly at his tone allowing the shirt to fall back into place.

Why is he this mad? His fiery eyes are still on my now covered ribs. I take his face in my hands forcing him to look at me. Xander's eyes have an unfathomable fury in them. I'm slightly scared of it. I need to do something to try and calm him.

I soften my eyes and give him a small smile. I move my hands soothingly from his cheecks through his hair, down the back of his neck and come to a stop on his chest. Xander closes his eyes at the action and places his massive hands over mine as they rest on his chest. Still with his eyes closed, he takes a few slow deep breaths.

Xander then opened his eyes and looked into my green orbs. His rage has subsided a little. We stay like this for a minute, just holding each other's gaze.

"They are only bruises. They will heal." I state as gently as I can.

Then as if broken from a trance. Xander stands up dropping my hands in the process.

Weirdly, the action made me sad. I missed his hands... and his warmth. I would even take that heated gaze now. Is that weird? Probably...

I look over to Xavier. He has this knowing smirk on his face as he glances between me and Xander. What is that son of a gun up to?