Chapter 7: Trembling hands

-Heather's POV

Fear. An unpleasant feeling triggered by the perception of danger, real or imagined... A simple term. It can come on quickly and linger for years. I was still having a pleasant time out of reality of my own life when I check my phone. A name pops up that I wasn't expecting and I feel paralyzed. The moment I see it, I realize I need to see Cami. I felt bad leaving Luca, I could see the hurt expression on his face but I didn't have an option. I could feel Xavier staring at me but couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes. I gave Luca a tight hug before taking off down the beach. I started jogging but then sprinted off after a few seconds. I needed to get home.

I got home quickly and swung open the door and ran to Cami. She was lounging on her bed when I abruptly pushed her door open. Her eyes went on alert and she knew something was wrong. I pulled out my phone and showed it to her. She looked at it and back to me pulling me tightly in her for a hug. I sat there for a moment in the comfort of her arms.

"H, did you give this number to anyone other than me?" I shake my head but couldn't speak. I get tense when I remember something.

"Wait, Christopher! I called Chris when I first landed to let him know I got here safely." I say still slightly trembling. She abruptly takes my phone and throws it against the wall watching the phone smash into pieces. She pulls me tightly back into a hug and pulls me down on her bed still in her embrace. I couldn't stop thinking.. What if he finds me? What if he takes me away?

"Listen to me H, you are NOT going anywhere. I WILL NOT let anything happen to you. Do you understand?" She holds my shoulders and makes me look into her eyes. I sigh and nod my head. She pulls me back into her side and we lay there on her bed until I feel my eyes get heavy falling into slumber.

-Xavier's POV

Heather left a few hours ago but I couldn't stop thinking about her. I am currently sitting in our living room sipping some bourbon. Luca has went up to his room and hasn't come down since. I could see he was hurt but I didn't know how to comfort him. She truly did have a way with him. I have never seen him have so much fun. She made him come out of his shell and begin speaking more as well as showing his emotions. She cared for my son and it was sexy as fuck. We were having such a good day before Natasha showed up and her phone went off. She may not have looked at me but I could see the one emotion I didn't expect to see... Fear. I wonder who-

"It was so nice of you not to show up for work today?" I look up and realize Theo is flopping himself down in a chair in front of me.

"Hello Theo, please come in." I say sarcastically. He rolls his eyes and studies me for a moment.

"What's wrong?" He ask seriously. I just stare back at him. "I know you well enough to know when something is wrong with you Xavier. So tell me what's wrong."

"It's nothing." I state taking a sip of my drink.

"It's a good thing I know your poker face by now."

"What do you want Theo?" I asked getting annoyed.

"First tell me what's wrong with you?" He is now leaning forward in his chair. I sigh feeling slightly defeated. I rub the back of my neck.

"I got to meet Luca's Angel today. She is in trouble but I don't know the extent."

"Okay... Why are you worried?"

"Luca has become attached to her and I don't want to see my son hurt." It's partially true...

"Really?" I nod my head and look up at him to see a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "What did you think of her?"

I smile thinking back to Heather. "She is unlike anyone I've ever met." I answer honestly.

"I'm guessing she is attractive?" He answers grinning. I glare at him and shrug not caring to indulge him further. He snorts in response. He stays silent for a moment while I get lost back in what happened earlier. "What makes you think she is in trouble?"

"She received some call or text earlier and the moment she saw it, her whole demeanor changed and she left abruptly. Luca was upset and has went back to being emotionless again."

"Wait! He acted differently around her?!?" He says looking genuinely surprised. I nod again.

"Yea, he was actually laughing and talking today." I look over to see Theo smiling in deep thought as well.

"What can I do to help?" He says standing up.

"I need to learn more about her and make sure she is safe. Her name is Heather Drake. I'm having someone do research on her right now. I should be receiving an email here soon." I check my inbox and notice I received the background check I requested.

I pull it open and feel Theo sit down beside me while I open it.

Name: Heather Lia Drake

Age: 22

Current Location: Unknown

Former Locations: San Antonio, TX. New York, NY. Minneapolis, MN

Parents: Derek Drake & Reese Drake

Siblings: Christopher Drake

I kept reading through it to find out that she has a master's degree in Business with a bachelor's in Education. She studied abroad at Oxford. Damn, that's impressive. Why does her parent's name sound so familiar? I continue reading and just become more impressed by her.

"Shit..." Theo says standing up. "Is this seriously the woman that Luca has grown attached to?" He says gesturing his hands towards my computer. I look at him confused but begin to narrow my eyes at him. "You seriously don't recognize her parent's names?" I stand up and wait for an answer. He sighs before answering. "She is the daughter to the owner's of D&R Industries and suppose to be next in line to take over the company." Shit, I knew it sounded familiar!

"She seriously didn't mention any of that to you?" I sigh and rub the back of my neck. No wonder she wasn't impressed with my success when her family had double the amount mine did. I've tried getting meetings with her father on multiple occasions but couldn't. She is loaded but why is she out here? Why has she relocated so many times??

"I don't know but I know that she is running from someone." I once again can see her trembling hands in my mind.

"Well what can we do? This background doesn't even know that she is currently located in this state." He's right, the background check wasn't aware of where she was. I start getting irritated. Why am I getting so worked up for her? I can't shake the feeling that I need to find her.

"Put out our friends to find her. She has to be staying with someone if she doesn't want her name on any lease or home. Look over past friends and let me know what you can find." He nods and takes out his phone to make some calls. I sit back down lost in my own thoughts.

Who are you running from Heather?