Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord-Chapter 32: Hiding in Plain Sight

Chapter 32

~Xavier’s POV~

Another gunshot cracked through the air, the bullet grazing the crate beside me as splinters flew.

I spun, lifted my gun, and fired at the man who shot first. The bullet hit clean on the head. He dropped instantly.

More shots followed, louder and closer. I ducked back behind the crates, waited for a chance and then I pulled the trigger again.

Click!

Nothing. The empty click echoed louder than the gunfire around me.

"Dammit," I cursed.

I checked myself for my spare rounds, then spotted them lying several meters away—the place I had first hidden before moving.

No time, no bullets, and too many men closing in. I touched my earpod, wanting to contact Ares for some backup, already regretting dismissing him, when I realised that it had fallen off my ear and...

I lifted my feet to see the squashed device on the ground. "Just perfect."

Today wasn’t my day.

Usually, I would have taken them out had I had a gun with me... well, one with bullets, but I didn’t.

And the longer I waited, the more the bastards closed in on me.

I bolted, sprinting through the side passage, my instincts sharp as I dodged any bullet shot in my direction.

My car was no longer an option; three men were already sweeping that direction with their weapons raised. That left only one place to disappear into quickly:

The shopping mall.

I raced toward the back entrance, saw a staff member step outside to dump trash, and squeezed past him before he could register what happened.

Inside, I didn’t stop. I moved through a storage hallway, then stepped into the main shopping area.

The bright lights, music, and people greeted my vision, everything too normal for the chaos behind me.

I moved, fixing my clothes and trying to get the dust off my white shirt. I needed to blend in.

I made my way towards the clothes aisle, grabbed a pair of coloured shades off a rack, a black cap, and a lightweight black jacket.

It was nothing fancy, just enough to change my silhouette. As I tore the tags, I spotted the first two men enter the mall, scanning the crowd.

Perfect timing.

I hurried to the cashier, keeping my head lowered but posture relaxed. She scanned the tags quickly. I paid with my card, slipped it into the trouser pocket, and adjusted the cap.

Just as I turned toward the exit, I saw five more men entering through the front doors. They split quickly; two toward the food court, three toward the clothing aisles.

I veered away immediately.

Down another aisle, I slowed just enough to appear calm as I picked a basket and quietly breezed through the groceries.

It was then I heard that familiar angelic voice.

"Mummy, let’s get this teddy bear, please."

My heart stopped for a second.

Skai?

"It’s pricey, Skai. I’ll get it for you next month when I get paid. For now, let’s finish the groceries and head home."

Xena!

For a moment, my worries disappeared as joy filled me. Then I realised my situation and almost turned away, only to stop when Skai spoke again.

"But mummy, it may not be on sale next month and..."

I almost laughed in relief. Their voices were like a rope thrown to a drowning man.

Before I even thoroughly thought it through, I moved toward them.

Xena turned at the movement. I lowered my shades, and her eyes widened when she saw me. She almost stumbled backwards due to how fast I approached.

I reached for her hand and caught her by the waist instinctively, steadying her. For one heartbeat, she looked straight into my eyes, confusion and worry lighting her features.

"Uncle Xa..." Skai started, bouncing happily.

But I pulled her close and covered her mouth gently, hugging her before she could say my name. I couldn’t risk it echoing through the mall.

"Xavier," Xena whispered, clearly stunned. "What are you... why are you dressed like—"

I didn’t get to answer.

Two men turned into the aisle we were in.

Their eyes swept everything. From every shopper to every shelf and face.

I didn’t think or hesitate. I grabbed Xena by the waist, pulled her flush against me, and kissed her deeply.

For a moment, Xena froze, her lips still and shocked under mine. But I angled my head, cupped her cheek, and just when she tried to make a sound, I deepened it, making it look real enough to be scandalous.

She gasped softly, and I used it, coaxing the kiss into something undeniably intimate.

Skai squealed behind her hands. "Mummy and Uncle are naughty, hehehe..."

Just then, the two men stopped right beside us. One of them glared at Skai.

"You shouldn’t be watching adults do that," he muttered, looking disgustedly at her.

The other scoffed. "Ugh. Come on. Let’s move. Some people don’t know where to do their private business. He’s clearly not here."

"Not here. Let’s check the back. Maybe he ran into the kitchen area."

"You’re right. Move."

They hurried off.

I pulled back slowly, still close enough for her breath to warm my jaw. Her cheeks were pink, her eyes wide.

"Sorry," I murmured, unable to hide the slight smirk playing on my lips. "I just... couldn’t help myself."

She blinked at me, flustered. "Xavier, you... Why would you..."

Before she could finish, Skai tugged at my sleeve. "Uncle Xav..." she paused, as if trying to figure out whether to say my name or not.

I smiled at her and gently rubbed her cheek. "Good girl. What did you ask mummy to get you again?"

Skai’s eyes were like saucers, going wider than before.

"Uncle Xavier! Look!" She pointed at a giant teddy bear bigger than she was.

I grabbed it and handed it to her. "Then it’s yours." I lifted her into my arms with the teddy, and she squealed happily.

Xena shook her head. "You spoil her too much."

"And you almost don’t... well, nearly enough."

Xena rolled her eyes. "Okay, don’t be jealous. I did not forget you. Pick out anything you want."

She did not give my offer a thought and shook her head. "No, no, it’s fine. You don’t have to—"

"It’s fine," I said lightly. "Pick whatever else you need. My treat."

Before she could argue, Skai hugged me tightly, burying her face against the teddy.

"You already did enough buying this for Skai. I appreciate."

I sighed and put another teddy bear, smaller than Skai’s, but blue, in her trolley. "My treat."

"You shouldn’t..." I swept a cold gaze in her direction, making her swallow her protest. "Fine, thank you."

My expression changed, and I smiled.

That settled it.

We walked together toward the front, Xena pushing the cart while stealing glances at me. My senses stayed alert.

I spotted the men again near the refrigerators, scanning faces. I casually shifted the teddy bear higher, blocking half my face. Then stepped forward to pay.

The cashier scanned everything while Skai whispered happy stories to her new teddy. Xena kept glancing around nervously, but I touched her arm subtly, trying to calm her.

We stepped outside.

The cool evening air felt like freedom. Only when we reached the parking lot and saw no one following did I let myself breathe properly.

Xena finally asked, softer this time, "Xavier... what happened tonight?"