Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord-Chapter 12: Jealousy

Chapter 12

~Xade’s POV~

Right after Xena left my office, Dominic called about my niece. Apparently, my idiot of a sister had dropped her six-year-old daughter with me and vanished on one of her dramatic "self-care escapes."

I’d intended to drop the girl off at my house, where the maids could keep her company.

But she insisted I drive her myself.

And then, on our way, I saw Xena entering the bakery.

My chest tightened—no, punched inward—and before logic could catch up, I took the next turn and drove straight there.

The scent of cinnamon and sugar greeted me the second I stepped into his bakery. Only to walk in and see their hands intertwined.

Hers.

In his.

Something inside me twisted sharply.

"So, I see you still haven’t heeded my advice."

The words left my mouth before I could think. Xena’s shock mirrored mine, but for a different reason.

And as I stood there staring at her, memories of what had happened in my office surged back.

— — — 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

I had told her to wait before everyone left. And once the door had closed, I asked her to sit.

Xena sat across from me, crossed legs, shoulders tense, eyes curious, maybe even hopeful.

For a moment, I’d intended to say something meaningful, something about her career, her talent, or the potential I saw in her.

But instead, the wrong part of my brain spoke first.

"About earlier," I had said, leaning back, my gaze locked on her. "I saw the way you entertained Drake’s flirtation."

Her brows shot up. "Entertained? I didn’t—"

"I do not tolerate scandals," I cut in, my tone colder than I wanted. "If you let men flock around you and flirt with you openly, you will destroy your career before it begins."

She stared at me like I’d slapped her.

I continued anyway, the words rolling out sharp, rehearsed—even though I’d never meant to say them to her.

"The last potential star I trained let men play with her emotions. She fell for all the attention, ended up in a scandal, and her career crashed. If you don’t want the same fate, you will follow my rule. No flirting. No... whoring."

Her jaw dropped. Anger flushed through her like wildfire.

"I’m not that kind of girl, Mr. Xade," she said tightly as she stood up from her seat. "But then, you are free to think for yourself. I know my worth. Have a splendid day."

And then she stood and walked out.

I let her go, and I guess I never should have.

— — —

Now she stood before me again, but her gaze wasn’t on me. She had masked her initial shock and let her gaze drift down... to my niece, who was holding my hand.

"Xade?" she said softly, almost in disbelief.

"Xena," I replied.

Before I could explain, the man beside her stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly.

"You know him?"

"Yes, he is my—"

"Her boyfriend."

Both of them snapped their heads toward me.

"What?" Xena blurted. "You’re not my boyfriend!"

"I..."

Xena cut in, placing a hand on her lips, a bit dramatically if you ask me. Her face twisted in irritation. "Are you stalking me?"

"What?... no." I forced a scoff. "Don’t flatter yourself. Why would I?"

"Well, she should flatter herself," the man beside her said coolly. "She deserves it."

My eyes dropped instantly to where he was still holding her hand.

"And who are you?" I asked, voice dropping a full octave.

"I’m Xav—"

"Don’t answer that," Xena cut in, tugging her hand away from him.

Finally.

Then, she glared at me. "What are you even doing here? Stalking me now?"

"No. My niece wanted cake, so I came."

"That’s a lie," Crystal shouted, stunning everyone.

My hand flew over her mouth. "Ignore her," I muttered. "She doesn’t know what she’s saying."

"But I do," she said, pushing my hand away again. "You came here because you saw this lady walk in."

Heat crept up my neck. I covered her mouth again, growling, "That’s not the point."

"It is the point!" Xena snapped. "And since you’re clearly stalking me, I have nothing to say to you. Goodbye, Mr Xade."

She tried to take a side step to leave, but Xav grabbed her wrist. I looked up to see he had moved away from the counter, now standing closer to her.

A bold move and a stupid one.

Before she could even react, I closed the distance between them and seized her other wrist, pulling her toward me.

Her breath hitched. Her body pressed between our locked arms.

"You’re not going," I stated, not knowing what kind of jealousy came over me.

"You can go, but before you go, take your daughter’s cake and bread."

Xena’s eyes darted up, first to me, then to him, her chest rising and falling a little too fast.

"Let her go," Xav said quietly, stepping closer, matching my glare with a calm, dangerous one of his own.

"You first," I replied.

"I saw her first."

"I know her."

"She came to my bakery."

"She’s under my protection."

Our words shot like bullets, both of us refusing to release her.

Xena stood between us, cheeks flushed, breath uneven, her pulse fluttering against my fingers.

"Both of you, stop!"

She tried to pull back, but neither of us moved. Then Xav leaned in close enough that his breath brushed her cheek.

"Xena," he murmured, "I meant what I said earlier. You deserve to be flattered."

Her eyes widened, and jealousy roared inside me violently.

Before my mind even caught up to the impulse, I tugged her fully against me, my hand sliding to the back of her waist, anchoring her there.

Her lips parted in shock.

"Don’t get the wrong idea," I said in a low, rough voice, mirroring what I felt. "But if anyone thinks they can flirt with you in front of me..." Her breath hitched again. "...they’ve miscalculated."

Xav’s eyes darkened, and he stepped in, brushing a knuckle under her chin. A move so daring I almost slammed him into the nearest wall.

"Seems like you’re the one miscalculating," he said. "Because the lady hasn’t chosen either of us."

Xena swallowed hard, her gaze flickering between us, caught, breathless, trembling in the smallest way.

Exactly as both of us wanted her.