Chapter 27 A Rescue in the Alley
Chapter 27 A Rescue in the Alley
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This time, Darcy came to Cordelia with his pride set aside, promising that he’d cut all ties with Bailey–no calls, no texts, nothing.
Divorce wasn’t Cordelia’s aim.
She simply wanted to send a clear message: she was the one who could truly stand by him in business and family matters, not that woman outside.
If Bailey kept overstepping, Darcy would have far more to lose than a fling.
Now that he’d finally realized this, Cordelia had gotten what she wanted.
Dragging things out would help neither of them; if their project collapsed, the loss would be shared between husband and wife.
So, when they stepped out of the ice cream shop, she turned to Alisa to say goodbye. “I need to head out with Darcy to settle
the accounts.”
“Want me to give you a ride home?” Cordelia offered.
Alisa shook her head with a smile. “Don’t worry about me. You two go take care of business–I’ll make my own way back.”
She stood at the curb, watching their car pull away.
The driver approached her and offered, “Ms. Alisa, would you like me to take you home?”
Alisa’s eyes shifted toward the narrow lane across the street. “No rush.”
From the shop earlier, she’d glimpsed a familiar figure disappear into that alley. Now was her chance to confirm it.
“Park over there and wait for me,” she told the driver.
“Yes, Ms. Alisa.”
As the driver left to get the car, Alisa crossed the street and headed straight for the alley.
She’d barely reached the entrance when shouts erupted from inside-
“Let’s see how tough you really are! Every single time, you take the fall for that jerk Jamie. Don’t you get it? You’re just his errand boy–his disposable little brother.
“Jamie messed with my boss’s horse. No matter who shows up, he’s the one paying for it. And since you’re here to clean up his mess, you’re the one who’s going to get beaten.
“Get him! Break his hand–consider it a gift for Jamie!”
Alisa froze, the picture becoming clear.
So today’s horse race had been rigged.
Cordelia had lost money too, but she’d only bet for fun, so it hadn’t mattered much to her.
The real issue was that Jamie had pulled some stunt, angered the wrong people, and then conveniently vanished–leaving Xander to deal with the fallout.
Through the shifting shadows, she caught sight of Xander fighting back. She let out a quiet sigh.
Who would’ve guessed that the man destined to be a future power player was, at this moment, cornered in a dead–end alley and taking a beating?
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Chapter 27 A Rescue in the Alley
Outnumbered as he was, even his skill wouldn’t keep him from getting hurt.
Luckily, she’d told the driver to bring the car around earlier.
Spotting her moment, Alisa called out sharply, “Xander! Over here!”
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The sound of Alisa’s voice cut through the chaos. For a split second, the raised fists around Xander froze. He seized the opening, breaking free with a sudden burst of speed, charging straight toward her.
Alisa stepped back, yanked open the car door parked at the curb, and slid inside, leaving space for him.
Sensing trouble, the driver slammed his foot on the gas.
The luxury car shot forward like a streak of lightning, vanishing from sight in seconds.
For a first–time rescue, their timing had been flawless.
By the time the thugs spilled out of the alley, the car’s taillights were long gone.
Inside, Alisa lowered her window and leaned out, scanning the street. Seeing no one in pursuit, she sat back, relieved.
Turning to Xander beside her, she said, “Why is it that every time I run into you, you’re in trouble?”
A faint flush of embarrassment touched his features. His hair was messy, a few shallow cuts marking his face, giving him a rough–edged, battle–worn kind of charm. His lips curved in a restrained smile. “An unfortunate day for you, Ms. Roffe–but a fortunate one for me. Thank you.”
“Unfortunate?” She arched a brow. “I never said that. Don’t go putting labels on me.”
Her gaze dropped to his right hand. Earlier, several of them had gone for it at once; now, a ring of bright red blood soaked through the white cuff of his sleeve.
They’d meant to cripple it.
Even if it healed, a scar was inevitable.
No wonder, she thought, that in the story she knew, Xander was plagued with lingering injuries and a partial disability in that hand.
So this was how it began.
At least she’d stepped in this time. Maybe the hand could be saved.
“You’re an heir yourself,” she said dryly. “Does your brother really see you as nothing?”
Xander gave a wry half–smile. “An heir? You’re the first person to think I’m worth anything, Ms. Roffe
The truth was cruel. To everyone else, he was Jamie’s punching bag–literally.
Jamie made the mess, and Xander took the hit.
If they couldn’t touch Jamie, they’d settle for beating on his brother. Among Qodon’s heirs, it was almost an unspoken rule.
In short, Xander was fair game for anyone who wanted to take a swing–figuratively or not. And he’d taken more than his share of beatings.
From the day he was born, life had been nothing but hard on him.
“Come back with me,” Alisa said, her tone softening. “Let’s get that hand taken care of.”
