Connected (Twists of Fate #1)

by Jolyn Palliata

  In the end, it was total y worth the pained pleasure. The flight went by in the blink of an eye, or lack thereof, as the case may be.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Al owing Rhys to see along with her, Addison scanned the lingering crowd at the gate.

  Everyone was rubbernecking for loved ones or acquaintances rushing off the plane. Al except for one.

  There he is, Rhys said in her head, sounding worn out from her in-flight entertainment.

  Addison was about to laugh at the implications of his tone, but stifled it when a sense of familiarity and remorse flooded inside her, fol owed by a burst of relief—Rhys’

  reaction to seeing his brother.

  Xavier stood several inches above the rest of the crowd with a mean-ass scowl on his face.

  Despite the floppy hat and reflective sunglasses meant to serve as a disguise, she immediately recognized him from his picture.

  Oh, my God. Xavier “Zander” Alexander…in the flesh. And he was intimidating as hel , just like his pictures. She’d hoped it had been a trick of the lens.

  Apparently not.

  “Oh, yeah,” she mumbled under her breath. “There’s definitely some bite there.” Go on. Get your ass over there.

  The guy’s a kitten. Don’t worry about it.

  Addison walked up to the towering guitarist. He glanced at her and then away, looking straight over her head toward the gate.

  “Zander,” she said firmly, trying to drum up some damn courage and tamp down the nerves.

  “Sorry,” he said in his oh-so-deep voice. “Now’s not a good time. I’m waiting on someone.” He didn’t look at her when he muttered to himself, “Some crazyass bitch.” Her spine shot straight as her brows contracted, heat building with her anger.

  Calm down. He thinks you’re a fan.

  He just called me—

  I know, sweetheart. Just let it slide. Remember, he’s stressed.

  She gritted her teeth as she landed a fist on her hip. “One crazyass bitch accounted for.” She gave him a tight smile as his face tilted in her direction.

  “Addison Calomino?”

  She found it disconcerting to be staring at her own reflection in his aviators, and it took her a sec to respond, making her al the more defensive.

  “The one and only.”

  “You’re…not what I expected.”

  “And what did you expect?”

  He said nothing. Without seeing his eyes, it was hard to tel if he was studying her, or zoning out.

  And he has the nerve to call me crazy? Are you sure he’s all there? I mean…he’s not on drugs or something is he?

  She took an involuntary step in retreat.

  Jesus. Of course he isn’t.

  Xavier flicked the rim of his hat. “How did you recognize me?”

  “Did you seriously just ask me that?” She cocked a brow and double-tapped her temple with a slender finger.

  With no other response than a nasty scowl, Xavier strode away, a tip of his head the only indication she should fol ow.

  Letting out her breath on a quiet whoosh, Addison wrung her fingers as she trailed after him.

  The remorse for what she was putting him through stil nestled inside her, but his biting attitude made it hard to acknowledge. She hoped once he realized the truth—that Rhys real y was with her—it would ease his grief. And her guilt for enhancing it.

  Stil … Did he have to be such an ass?

  Nice brother you’ve got there. He’s just a regular ball of sunshine, isn’t he?

  Rhys chuckled.

  Asshat.

  Addison had checked her luggage directly on the plane, and already had it with her.

  Skipping baggage claim got them out of O’Hare a hel uva lot faster, but she found herself half-wishing they had a reason to hang back. The longer she could put off sitting alone in a car with this pissed off man, the better.

  How does one soothe the savage beast again?

  But you’re not alone, Rhys pointed out.

  You know what I mean. She nudged at their barrier, the equivalent of a shoulder-shove. I am not looking forward to this. Look at him!

  She conveyed Xavier’s image to Rhys as she studied his hurried stride, his rigid frame and his clenched muscles.

  Even under a leather jacket and jeans, she could see the wound-up tension racking his body.

  He does seem a little more…intense than the norm. But who am I to judge.

  Yeah, right. Pot, kettle, black and all.

  Hey! I’m not tense! I just meant—

  Oh, nooooo. Not you, Rhys. She made a mental pfft sound as she walked to the passenger side of Xavier’s cherry red Charger, running her finger down the sharp line of its profile.

  “Nice car,” she said, trying to break the tension with some light pleasantries. There had to be some way to get past al this ice to the man underneath.

  Xavier grunted what could’ve passed as a thanks while he unlocked the doors. She threw her bag in the back and then buckled in, admiring the interior of the vehicle.

  Leather. Appropriate. And it just figures. Rock stars and their leather. But that was part of the attraction though, wasn’t it?

  It wasn’t until after Xavier navigated out of airport parking before he said anything to her.

  “So, do you normal y get into the vehicles of men you don’t know?” Good question, my man. I’d like to know this little nugget of info myself. Rhys tone wasn’t just curious; it was slightly dangerous.

  What the hel ? Rhys had told her he was safe. Aaaand this was his idea!

  Addison ignored the contradictory voice in her head to focus on the stranger next to her.

  With a shrug—a pathetic attempt at normalcy—she said, “If you give me any trouble, I’l just start poking you in the ribs.” His startled glance actual y proved to relax her some.

  Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to convince him of what was going on after al . Hel , it would help his grieving process if he could just talk to Rhys, wouldn’t it? To be able to say his goodbyes, and al that.

  “How…” He snapped his mouth shut, his jaw tightening.

  Addison took the opportunity to draw out more of what Rhys had told her about Xavier, hoping the fond reminders would ease him towards the truth. “Rhys says you’l bitch like a little girl—” She held up her hands when he pinned her with a glare. “His words, not mine. But he said you’d stop whatever it was you were doing. He said it was the only way he could win a wrestling match with you when you were kids.”

  “Jesus,” he mumbled, twisting a hard grip on the steering wheel.

  Addison watched as the muscles in his jaw worked overtime. She could al but hear him working things out in his head. As if he realized logically there was no way she could possibly know al this, but instincts told him otherwise.

  His intel igence seemed to radiate in the shift of his gaze as the silence settled around them.

  It made her wonder…

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Shouldn’t I be the one asking the questions?” he countered.

  Her eyes narrowed. “You should be, yes…I’l give you that.

  But since you’re not, I have one of my own. Why did you ask where you and Rhys grew up? I mean, you seem like a smart guy, and that was a pretty lame-ass question.” His grip on the wheel loosened a bit, but the lift in his shoulders offset any appearance of easing back. “I was going to listen for a keyboard to see if you were looking shit up. Then I was going to work my way around to the stuff you wouldn’t be able to find. Basical y, feel you out, flush you out.”

  Her brows arched as she tipped a nod. Made sense, she supposed, but it sure looked like the long way around to her. Of course, he is a guy…and they never do things the easy way.

  He’s got a point there, Addi.

  She rol ed her eyes, the guilt-nerves-preservation combination making her snappy. Does paranoia run in your family? Or is it just a side-effect of being a perpetual asshat?

 
Measuring up Xavier, she decided on a different approach

  —straight-forward.

  He’d never see it coming.

  “Rhys said you’re gonna look for my tel , to make sure I’m not lying.” His head snapped around and she wasn’t sure what to worry about first—the fact that his eyes weren’t on the road, or about the condition of his neck after a roundabout like that.

  She shook her head, and forced herself to stare at the dash. If she was gonna die, she didn’t want to see it coming.

  “I don’t think I could even make up something like this, Zander. Xavier.” She waved an impatient hand in the air.

  “Whatever your name is.”

  “You want to know what I think?” Xavier asked, his tone dark and foreboding.

  She kept her voice calm and flat in response. “I’m riveted.” He did a double-take, then let the sarcasm go. “I think you must’ve been one of Rhys’

  women. I mean, what…? Did you go to New Guinea with him? Had some nice fucking pil ow talk?”

  Her jaw dropped as her eyes got wide, jealousy stinging deep. “Excuse me? One of his women? Just how many women are we talking about here?” Awww. Are you jealous, baby? Rhys cooed in her head.

  Hel yeah, she was! But he didn’t need to point it out…or be so damned proud of it!

  Taking a deep cleansing breath, Addison closed her eyes and opened herself up. When she felt Rhys’ arms come around her, she mental y snuggled close, and then introduced one very sharp elbow to his solar plexus.

  As she opened her eyes again, she heard Rhys say in a strained, breathless voice, My mistake. I must’ve read you wrong.

  “He’d had lots of women,” Xavier said smugly, obviously enjoying her discomfort.

  “Anyway, that’s how I figure you know al this shit.”

  “Including the color of your first car, huh? Are you tel ing me that your brother was such a Lothario in the sack that the best after-bliss pil ow talk he could come up with revolved around little ‘ole you?” She crossed her arms in disgust. “Or are you truly that self-involved to where you’d expect as much?”

  He laughed, a genuine from-the-gut sound. “You’ve got some sass in you, don’t you girl?

  Rhys sure would’ve liked you. That’s for damn sure.” He nodded in reluctant approval. “So, Addison, if you weren’t one of his women, you mind tel ing me the ful story? No halfsies either.

  Spil it al .”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Addison glanced around the lobby of the five-star-hotel as she waited for her key, pointedly avoiding eye contact with the leather-clad man leaned against the counter next to her.

  Xavier doesn’t skimp, does he? she said to Rhys, studying the crystal chandelier il uminating the space.

  Naw. My brother always had taste for the finer things. He made a scoffing sound.

  You sound like you don’t approve.

  Well, what the hell do you need a fancy-ass hotel for when you’re just going there to—

  She sensed their connection snapping closed, as if Rhys had mental y smacked a palm over his mouth to stop the words from flying out.

  Care to finish that statement, Rhys?

  The link opened back up. Not even a little bit.

  She knew perfectly wel Rhys’ past was no more her business than hers was to him, but she couldn’t stave off the twinge of jealousy. It makes me curious though…just what kind of place did you take your women to?

  “Your key, Miss Calomino.”

  Awesome timing, my man. His relief was palpable.

  Addison turned to the concierge with a touch of irritation.

  “Thank you.”

  “Would you like assistance with your luggage?”

  “No, thank you. I’ve got it from here.”

  As she picked up her bag, she could feel Xavier’s stare.

  She had managed to put him off this long, but the time had come to spil the beans. Face the music. Look the executioner in the eye.

  Play her cards and see—

  Good God, woman. Get on with it already.

  When she final y looked up at Xavier, he gestured towards the lounge. “Go on up and drop off your things. Meet me down here when you’re ready.” He frowned as he looked down at her.

  “Just don’t keep me waiting al damn night.” Exasperated by his disposition, she considered his suggestion. Rhys. Are you sure I’m 100%

  safe with him? I mean…you’re positive, right?

  I’m solid on this one, Addi. You can trust ‘em.

  That was good enough for her. Wel …it had to be. There was no way she was having this conversation in nothing less than complete privacy.

  She tipped her head toward the elevator. “Come up to my room. We can talk there.” His eyes narrowed as he gave her an up-and-down, making her blood boil.

  “Look, you conceited SOB,” she said, stabbing a finger at his wide chest. “I’m not hitting on you, nor would I even consider it. You want answers? Then you’l do this my way.

  Got it?” She didn’t wait for a response before storming to the elevator. Either he would fol ow her or he wouldn’t. She almost didn’t care anymore. But the reflection in metal elevator doors showed him right behind her.

  They rode up in silence, and entered her room the same way.

  Correction…her suite. Jesus. The man did go al out.

  Rol ing her eyes at the extravagance, she dropped her bag to the floor and walked straight to the mini-fridge. “Water?”

  “Nothing for me.” Xavier strode to the grouping of plush wing-backed chairs and made himself comfortable. If the situation were any other, it would have been comical to see a man like Xavier sitting in such a delicate-looking piece of furniture.

  After claiming a cold bottle of water, Addison sunk into the chair facing his, and then took a deep breath. Rhys was dead quiet. She did a quick check on him as she took a drink, al but sensing him kicked back in her head. Jump in here anytime, Rhys.

  You got it covered, sweetheart. I’ll jump in when needed.

  She’d have loved to be mad at him for laying it al at her feet, but she could tel he seriously thought she’d be fine.

  She felt the warmth of his support like a hug around her heart.

  “Are you waiting for me to start? Because I do believe it was explicitly explained to me that this was to be done your way.”

  Al his previous anger and frustration seemed to have banked into a dangerous calm. She eyed him wearily as she bit her lip.

  “A couple of weeks back, I died.”

  The blunt admission seemed to ruffle his calm, a brief burst of surprise lifting his features.

  But he didn’t respond in any other way.

  “Obviously, they brought me back, but it wasn’t just me who came back.” Again, with the no-response thing.

  She sat back and tried to get comfortable, though her nerves were rattling nonstop. “When I was…gone—I guess you’d cal it—I saw something. Someone. Near as we can figure, Rhys died around the same time I did. He was there…in that place…before I got there. And when I left…

  when they brought me back…he latched onto me.

  Somehow. He came back with me.” Xavier leaned back, kicking out a leg as his other knee fel wide. Lacing his fingers over his tight abs, he stared and blinked.

  Addison sighed, having no other choice but to keep going.

  “When I woke up, I could hear Rhys in my head. We can hear each other’s thoughts…and feel what the other is feeling. Or not.

  We can block it too.”

  His blank expression was almost more than she could bear.

  Should I tell him about the touching thing? Not the details, obviously, but the fact you can do it?

  Rhys snorted. Not unless you want to come across as the crazy-ass bitch he thought you’d be.

  I think I’m waaaay past and beyond that point. Look at him! She focused harder so he could see, although she was pretty sure she had been keeping that sense open already. He thinks I�
�m a total whack job!

  She cleared her throat. “So…um…he didn’t suffer. At least, he doesn’t remember any pain.

  Just wandering from the wreck and col apsing. He just...” She swal owed a sudden lump, never real y taking the time to consider it al herself. “He just couldn’t hold on.” Dashing a hand at a tear slipping free, she cleared her throat again.

  “But he needs closure to move on. That’s why we’re here.” About the same time she’d convinced herself that Xavier wasn’t going to mutter a single word, he final y spoke.

  “So, what’s your story? Who are you? Where’d you grow up?” Her jaw dropped.

  The questions total y came out of left field, and it completely threw her off.

  He’s trying to keep you off balance. He’s looking for your tell.

  Deciding there was nothing else to do but go with it, she responded. Careful y, and guardedly…but she did it.

  “Oookay, so, you know my name already. And from my email address you probably know I’m a photographer. Past that, I’m not sure what you want to know.” She took a swig of her water and focused on screwing the lid back; a stal tactic while she got her thoughts in order.

  “Um…I’m adopted.” Her voice dropped. “My parents passed away quite a few years ago, and I have no other family to speak of.”

  She closed her eyes and rubbed at her temple, trying to think of what else there was to share.

  Rhys’ arms came around her, his gentle sympathy washing through.

  It’s okay, Rhys. It doesn’t really bother me anymore.

  But she wrapped her arms around herself as she opened her eyes, pretending it was stil his touch she felt.

  A slight lift to Xavier’s lips surprised her. “Wel , that explains one thing.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Your name…Calomino. I was expecting some Italian-looking chick, not a fucking blonde bombshel . No offense.” The obscenity-laced compliment had her both affronted and pleased, which then conveyed itself physical y as an unladylike scoff.