Insecurities and Fears

Xavier's P.O.V.

I ran inside the hospital with tottering steps ignoring the fearful expressions of people who immediately moved aside to clear my way. After hearing the bitter news, I immediately took Rose to Knight Heritage as my first priority was to keep her safe.

All these years of hard work and hardships proved fruitful to me and my gang as the Scorpions were successful in establishing their identity as the most fearsome and dangerous gang of the world with whom no one dares to trifle with. I left no stone unturned to make my empire as the most powerful gang of the underworld. But all our efforts went in vain as today not only someone attacked us but also try to kill one of the members of my septet. That was seriously a low blow to my reputation but it is also something which shouldn't be ignored because if someone can target my best trained men then it won't take a second for him or her to attack my Rosebud.

I was losing my marbles with every passing second but to keep Rose safe, I need to stay calm. She was still asleep which made my job easy. I told Emily and Jennifer to keep an eye on her. They are at the mansion right now, guarding my Rosebud. I've strictly warned them not to tell her about Elijah. I also increased the security around the mansion and when I was totally satisfied with my work, I finally drove off to the hospital.

Guards immediately took me to the room where Elijah was admitted. Reaching there I found Antonio, Noah and Seb standing outside the room conversing with James. Sensing my presence, Antonio turned back. Our eyes met for a second but he immediately looked away from me. James frowned and followed his gaze. I approached him.

"What happened James? Is Elijah alright?"

He looked at me and nodded. "Yes. Although Elijah was shot on chest but luckily the target missed his heart by an inch. Also, the bullet didn't damage his soft organs which fortunately saved him."

His words immediately eased my strain as I was hella worried for Elijah.

"Xavier, where the hell were you? Do you know that the Scorpions' cell had been ravaged in a bomb explosion?", Sebastian all of a sudden lashed out on me. I looked at him in shock.

"WHAT? WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?", I yelled back and looked at Noah for explanation.

"Half an hour ago. While we were on our way to Scorpions' cell, Antonio got a call from one of our men that some Red Eagle members were spotted near our southern warehouse. We immediately turned our way and called up for a backup too. Reaching there we found those fuckers shooting our men like maniacs. We also counterattack them. They were only a handful in number so we were easily able to hunt them down. After killing them, we immediately left for Scorpions' cell but as soon as we reached there, we were met with the rubble of the building, embers and huge, thick black smokes. There was no use of saving that betrayer but sadly, our guards and some of our gang members were also killed in that deadly fire. Their charred bodies were strewn all over the ground. While we were busy dealing with all this, suddenly Elijah discerned a shadow in the bushes.", Noah told me. I looked at him confused.

"Shadow?" Sebastian nodded.

"Yes. Though Elijah caught him spying on us but before he could take any action, he immediately got shot by that intruder. Me and Antonio rushed towards him while Noah immediately chased that shadow but that person gave him a slip and disappeared in the woods.", he replied.

I curled my fingers in a ball such that my knuckles cracked. White-hot anger surged through my whole body as I couldn't digest the fact that someone dare to kill my friends.

"Those motherfuckers. The audacity of those puny Red Eagle bugs, they dare mess with the Scorpions.", I gnashed my teeth in rage. Noah nodded; his face was also glowing with sheer anger.

"Red Eagle wasn't behind this"

Antonio, after a long time finally decided to speak. I looked at him with raised brows. "What do you mean?" Antonio then looked at me, his eyes were hard as stone.

"I had given the responsibility to Daniel to handle Ashton Finn. Two weeks ago, in an interrogation with Ashton, Daniel came to know that there had been some tension going on between Ashton and his gang members for the past few months. His men were too devoted and dedicated to their Chief but they got involved in a conflict with him when Ashton told them that he was planning an attack on the Scorpions. Travis, his second man in command talked to him regarding this because he was the one with whom I had signed the deal of weapons with. But that bloody Ashton brainwashed him. He told him that we have all of a sudden called off the deal without giving any proper reason. Unfortunately, Travis too bought his lie that time and that's how that bastard turned his whole army against us. Although Ashton is still alive but for the whole world, he is dead. His sudden death left his gang shock that's why they attacked us today to avenge the death of their leader but", he abruptly stopped in midway. I clenched my jaw and glared him.

"But? But what?"

Antonio looked at me. He then took a deep breath and continued further.

"Today in the encounter at our southern base, I confronted Travis. Although he was furious with the Scorpions but I noticed the dubious look in his eyes as if he was also having a hard time in believing that his Commander was no more now. I then told Travis everything whatever happened that day and also about Ashton's personal reasons for his vengeance. Travis was shocked to know that Ashton had planned to attack you not because of that fucking deal but because he had an axe to grind. Without saying anything further, Travis ordered his army to back off and they immediately left the place" Antonio replied.

His words not only shocked me but the rest of the members as well.

"WHAT? IF RED EAGLE HAD BACKED AWAY THEN WHOM WERE WE FIGHTING WITH?", Sebastian growled ferociously. Antonio didn't reply instead he looked at Noah and handed him something. It was some sort of small rectangular metallic plate, like a batch.

"I think you must be familiar with it." Antonio said to him as he placed it on his palm. Noah inspected the batch with narrowed eyes but suddenly he clutched it tightly between his fingers. I looked at him with a frown as his skin started turning red. He squeezed his eyes in anger and gritted his teeth.

"What happened Noah?", Sebastian asked him.

"CIA. They have finally found us."

End of Xavier's P.O.V.

*****

Meanwhile

At Knight Heritage

"Tell me Em. Jennie is giving me a wide berth at least you unveil the mystery. Tell me where are Xavier and others?", Rosaline asked Emily for the twentieth time making her huff in annoyance.

"Stop irritating me, Rosa. I told you that I can't go against Boss. He won't do anything to you but he will definitely behead me. Moreover, when he will come, you yourself will get your answers.", she gave her a succinct reply leaving no room for argument. Rosaline glared her but Emily ignored it and rested her head on the couch.

"Alright then.", Rosaline spat. She stomped her heels in anger and left. Emily chuckled and closed her eyes.

Rosaline was raging like a bull. When she woke up, she found herself locked in her bedroom. After half an hour of yelling and crying, Emily finally unlocked the door of her room and let her out. Rosaline blasted on her but then Jennifer told her that it was Xavier's order to lock her up in her room. Since then, Rosaline was continuously nagging both of them to tell her the reason but all she received was their glares and silence.

Rosaline went to the garden to blow off some steam. Her brows got creased together when she noticed a long queue of guards around the main gate and men armed with snipers were present at every entrance and exit.

"What's the matter?", she mumbled as she couldn't understand why Xavier had abruptly increased the security around the house. That too to this extent.

Rosaline's eyes lit up when she saw Antonio's grey Mustang entering the premises. He parked his car and alighted the vehicle. She immediately ran to him.

"Antonio, what happen? Why are you so late? Where were you?", she shot questions at him in one go but frowned when her eyes landed on his gloomy face. Worry puckered her brows. Antonio looked at her. He opened his mouth to say something but then something hit him. He immediately zipped his mouth and walked past her.

Antonio then went inside the mansion. Rosaline was befuddled by his strange behaviour. She followed him inside.

"What's wrong? I know you want to tell me.", Rosaline again asked him. Antonio kept ignoring her and tried to go upstairs but she immediately came in front of him and blocked his way.

"No, tell me first." Rosaline asked him, her tone was harsh this time. Antonio glared her.

"Move.", he gritted and grabbed her right shoulder to push her aside. But Rosaline instantly gripped his hands and looked at him with a pained expression.

"What's wrong Antonio? Why are you being this way? Everything was right between us a week ago. I can easily tell by your face that something is bothering you. Won't you share your problems with your friend?", she said. Antonio's gaze softened after hearing her words. He stared in her pleading eyes which only reflected pure concern for him. He enveloped her small hands in his large ones and squeezed it a bit.

"Rosa, I-", Antonio again tried to speak but he couldn't find words. He was deeply hurt by Xavier's behaviour this morning. Antonio also blamed himself for whatever happened with Rosaline that day. He wanted to apologized to Xavier but Xavier strictly warned him not to stray around his wife anymore. He didn't even let him explain his part. After that deadly attack, Xavier was on his toes all the time. He had stopped trusting his own members and took the full command of Rosaline's security in his hands. Antonio and others had many times tried to offer their help but Xavier harshly turned them down. Antonio was earlier confused by his rude attitude but today he got his answers which were enough to broke his heart.

Rosaline could see the hesitation in his eyes. She knew Antonio wanted to share his griefs with her but he wasn't able to and by know Rosaline was well aware what was stopping him.

"Antonio, we are friends, right? And friends never keep secrets with each other. Now tell me what's bothering you? Okay, I will make it easy for you. Stop thinking as if you're talking to Rosaline Knight but to your bestie Rosa. Now come on tell me.", Rosaline said as she tried to lighten up his depressed mood. Antonio looked at her. His lips curved up in a smile. But before he could say a thing, a thunderous growl shook the entire mansion making Rosaline as well as Antonio jumps in fright.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!!!"

Rosaline immediately snapped her head towards the main door only to see Xavier standing there glaring at the duo with bloodshot eyes. Her heart lodged in her throat when she saw how his gaze momentarily dropped to their joined hands and then snapped back to her face. She flinched when Antonio all of a sudden released her hands with a jerk and took a few steps back as if her touch burnt him. Rosaline looked at him with a scowl. She then looked back at Xavier only to see him marching towards them with heavy steps.

Xavier approached them; his burning gaze was dead set on her perplexed face. Rosaline looked behind him only to see Sebastian and Noah but to her dismay, both of them were looking at her with frigid eyes and cold faces. Her eyes snapped back at Xavier when she felt him grabbing his right wrist. He hauled her towards himself making her bump onto his chest.

"Let's go.", he spoke in a gruff tone and started dragging her along with him. But Rosaline immediately grabbed his left forearm and pulled him back.

"No, I am not going anywhere. Noah, Seb, what happen? And where's Elijah-"

"ROSEBUD", Xavier hollered and looked at her with fierce eyes. Rosaline was startled. His formidable aura, bone-chilling gaze and raging growl curbed all her struggles. Like an obedient kid, she quietly followed him.

Rosaline looked back at Noah and Antonio only to see them watching her sadly. She was bewildered as to why Xavier was behaving this way. It didn't take a second for her to understand that he was straightaway forbidding her from talking with Antonio and others.

'But why?'

'She needs to find out.'

*****

Rosaline's P.O.V.

Xavier took me to our bedroom. Reaching there he harshly left my wrist and bolted the door.

"XAVIER? WHAT THE HELL IS WRON-"

But before I could complete, Xavier abruptly pulled me in his arms and hugged me tightly. He dipped his face in my crook and started to breathe heavily. I panicked and immediately wrapped my arms around his back and started patting it gently.

"It's okay. Everything is fine. I am here. Hmm.", I cooed in his ears and drew circles on his back. Xavier tightened his grip further as he completely flushed my figure to his rock-hard chest. His body was shaking a bit. I was too scared but I kept my head. There must be a reason behind his anger. We stayed like this for some time. I slowly massaged his scalp with my fingers and kept speaking soft words in his ears to calm him down.

After sometime, I felt his breathing turning normal. Xavier then slowly broke the hug and looked at me. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears while his face was painted with worry and fear. I cupped his face in my palms and gently caressed his cheek.

"First calm down and then we'll talk.", I spoke softly. Xavier closed his eyes as he leaned further to my touch. I pulled him closer and kissed him softly. Xavier coiled his arms around my waist and started kissing me passionately. He then pulled off with a sloppy sound and rested his forehead on mine, we both panting heavily.

I looked at him. His eyes were closed while he was holding my waist too tightly as if I will disappear in air the next second. I kept quiet as my inquisition will only rile him up more so it's better to give him some time to relax.

Xavier then opened his eyes. He cupped my face in his palms and rubbed his thumb over my lips.

"Remember you promised me that you will obey my each and every word.", he asked me, his eyes staring in my soul searching for his desired answer.

"Xavier, I-", I tried to speak but stopped in midway when his eyes slowly started turning dark. I sighed and nodded. His lips immediately curved up as he flashed me his billion-dollar smile. Xavier then pecked my forehead and my lips.

"That's my girl. Rosebud, whatever I am doing is only for your good. You do know that right? So, I want you to not question my words and obey me always. At least for now. When things will start to get normal again, I will myself free you from all these restraints but till then I want you to listen to me every time. Without any ifs or buts", he said, his gaze was soft but his tone was intimidating.

His words triggered a strong nerve inside me but still I kept calm by convincing myself that whatever he was doing was only to keep me safe. Which no doubt was the truth.

"Okay. I promise I won't question your acts anymore.", I said and smiled. Xavier smiled back and hugged me. I also wrapped my hands around his neck but my smile got wiped off my face when I felt my heart being groped with a sudden fear.

'Though I promised him but will I be able to live with so many restrictions?'

'I don't know. I don't even want to think.'

~~~💗~~~