Rising From the Ashes

Xavier POV

Lexi was very tense when we entered the mall. I knew she would be safe here, as I owned this mall. Nothing happened without my knowledge. I had arranged for a security team to keep their eyes on us. I trusted myself to be able to keep her safe, but I just wanted to make sure there weren't any surprises.

Lexi has been through a lot. I just wanted her to feel like a regular girl, and enjoy the day. There was no cost, everything she wanted, she would have. I would make sure of that. What I hadn't expected was that she wouldn't even attempt to look for things for herself. I could see the unease the more we travelled through the mall. I started realizing that it was from the cost. I don't know why I thought she would immediately get used to this new life. She's come from nothing. If she wanted something, she had to fight for it. She was a bloody waitress at a strip club for f**k's sake. 

I feel like an i***t. Even though the Lexi standing before me today is extremely different to the one I used to know, I know that she would never willingly put herself in that position unless she felt that there was no other option. I cringe even thinking of what she's had to deal with. I take a deep breath as I look over at her. Just seeing her makes me smile. She looks completely out of her element. I watch how she tugs on her arm whenever the associates ask her questions. How she bites her lip whenever she sees the price of the clothes. The only thing I want, is for her to be happy.

Instead of Lexi going around the stores and finding stuff for herself, like we had for the past few hours. I decided that I would do it. With the help of a staff member, we would find clothes for her to try on, and place them in a changing room. I watched as she no longer looked so stressed. I could see her visibly relax, as she would come out of the change room each time looking like a model. It made me smile each time she would show me another outfit. She looked stunning in all of them. Far more beautiful than any other model out there. 

It hurt to see that she didn't feel the same. I could tell that she thought she wasn't beautiful. It only made me want to show her even more how truly stunning she actually is.

As we're heading to another store, I see her tense up. She rubs the back of her neck, as if hoping her unease will go away. 

"Everything ok?" I ask her.

"Hmm? Oh.. uh.. yes. Everything's fine."

"Clearly something's wrong, cause that was the worst response I've ever heard."  I roll my eyes, then look down at her, as I spin her to look at me.

"What's wrong?" I ask again.

"It's nothing, you will probably just think I'm weird, or overreacting." Little does she know that I could never think that about her. I watch as she tries to laugh it off. I grab her chin lightly, raising her head so that she looks at me.

"I could never think that. If something's bothering you, I want to know, so I can help you. Regardless of how crazy you may think you're." 

"Ok, but just promise me that if I sound like a nut job, you'll just forget I said anything at all."

I grab Lexi, bringing her closer to me. I want her to feel safe and secure. I'm hoping my touch will calm her down.

"I can't make that promise. Because no matter what you say, you could never be a nut job. Now tell me what's bothering you."

"I just have this weird feeling we're being watched. It's as if someone is following us."

I immediately go on high alert. I begin to scan the area, looking for anything I may have missed. Did she notice something that I hadn't? That's not even possible. I've trained all of my life to look for the unexpected. To know when someone is tailing me. To know that I'm never safe from my enemies. Letting my guard down, could get someone killed.

"How long have you been feeling like this?" 

"Since we got to the mall. I'm probably just paranoid. I've never been to a mall before."

I watch her closely. I scan her eyes, looking for answers. Is it possible that she's just not used to the crowds? Or is there a chance that she noticed something I didn't?

"When did you last have that feeling?" 

"Well.. just moment ago. But once we started talking, the feeling went away. Why? What's wrong?"

Something's off. I can feel it. I can't see anything out of the ordinary. But I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something. I need to call Damian. He will be able to calm me down.

"Nothing. You're probably right, it's probably just because you've never been to a mall before." I try to reassure her. But I barely believe myself.

"Why don't you go get a drink, I'll be right here watching. I just need to make a quick phone call." 

"Sure of course, do you want anything?" I shake my head in dismissal.

"No, it's ok Little Bear. I will get something later."

Once she's at the food booth, I immediately call Damian.

"Hey Boss. What's up?"

"I need you to check the security feeds in the mall."

"Sure. What am I looking for exactly?"

"I don't know. Look for anything out of the ordinary. Anyone that might be following us."

"Following you?"

"Yes. I know it sounds impossible, but Lexi said that she felt someone watching her. I need to know that she's safe. Just put my mind at ease."

"Sure thing. I will let you know what I find."

"One more thing, check in with Jonathan and Derrick. I need to know where Craig and Gary are right away."

Ever since Ryker brought Lexi to me. I had some of my men following them. Making sure that they can't get away. I want to know everything and anything that they're doing at all times. Jonathan is in charge of watching Craig, while Derrick is watching Gary.

Lexi comes back with a drink, and we head to the next store. I find a few more outfits for her over the next while, then we head to the last store of the day. Lexi heads to the change room to try on the outfits we found for her. My phone goes off, catching me off guard. I look down to see it's Damian.

"You better be calling with good news!"

"Sir, I don't know how to tell you this."

"Just get to it!" I curse under my breath. My patience wearing thin.

"I could see someone watching Lexi in the security footage. They seemed to be watching her from the moment you entered the mall. However, that's not the problem."

"What!" I clench my jaw hoping to not bring any unwanted attention to us. I feel my knuckles turning white as I bury my nails into my skin, in attempt to keep calm.

"The person seemed to know where each and every camera is. So I'm unable to see their face, or get a good description."

"How is that bloody possible?" I ask. I can feel my blood pressure rising. Just the thought of someone watching her makes my blood boil.

"What about Jonathan and Derrick?" I ask in hopes of diffusing the situation.

"They both confirmed that they're on the outside of town." I feel myself relaxing. At least that's one thing I don't need to deal with today. Before I can respond, Damian comes back on the phone.

"Sir?"

"What?"

"There's one more thing. The security feeds were taken down twenty minutes ago."

"How is that possible?" I think to myself why would the feeds be down now. That was around the time that Lexi went into the change room. Now that I think about it. She hasn't come back out yet.

"s**t!" I yell into the phone.

"Boss?"

"Get my men here now!" I hang up the phone and run towards the change rooms.

I find that associate that was helping us. 

"Where is she?" I look, trying to get to her as soon as possible.

She looked like a deer in the headlights. She nervously pointed to the far end of the changing room.

"Last room on the right."

I immediately run to her room.

I can see a bunch of clothes strewn on the ground. I see something tied to the bottom of the door. It looks like a belt? Then I hear someone moan. 

I don't even bother trying to unlock the door. I immediately kick it in. The door swings violently against the change room wall.

My eyes go wide when I see what is happening. Lexi is near unconscious with that sick f**k Gary on her. He has his underwear in her mouth, and her wrists belted and held above her head. My vision turns red. I want to kill this bastard.

With one simple move, I knock him unconscious. I push him off of her, and remove the underwear from her mouth, as I untie her wrists. I can feel tears pool in the corner of my eyes. She looks so helpless. Defeated even. Worst of all. She looks broken.

I remove my jacket, and wrap it around her. I need to get her out of here. I wrap her tight in my arms, and head to one of the back exits, only used by employees. My men come running towards me down the hallway.

"He's in the change room unconscious. Get him, and bring him to the cells."

They nod, and continue running in the direction that we just came from.

Once I reach my car, I let out a silent breath. I'm going to take her home, and never let her out of my sight again.