Beneath The Ashes

Ivy's POV

I sat there, my breathing slowly returning to normal, the adrenaline wearing off and leaving exhaustion in its place. My hands were still trembling slightly as I stared down at them, willing the feeling away. I barely noticed Xavier stepping away to talk to Felipe, my mind still replaying the moment over and over—

I hated it.

I hated that I had been too shocked to fight harder, paralyzed to do more.

A deep exhale left my lips as I leaned back against the soft leather seat, trying to ground myself in something real. The faint scent of cologne, a mix of something dark and clean, wrapped around me, strangely comforting.

And then the car door opened.

I flinched slightly at the movement before realizing—

Xavier was sliding into the driver's seat.

Confusion flickered in my already overwhelmed mind.

I turned, glancing around at the interior of the car, finally realizing what I had failed to notice in my daze.

It was his car

A rush of embarrassment shot through me, and I immediately moved to unbuckle my seatbelt, pushing the door handle open. "Oh—I didn't realize this was your car! I'll go with Felipe—"

Xavier's hand shot out, gripping my wrist lightly before I could step out. "Dont Move"

I blinked at him. "But Felipe—"

"He is staying to take that man to—-police" Xavier's voice was firm but not unkind. "I'll take you home."

I hesitated, my lips parting to argue again, but he raised a brow, daring me to challenge him.

I sighed. "Okay."

With that, I let the door shut again and sank back into the seat, going quiet.

The car was smooth.

I barely even registered when we started moving, the engine purring softly as Xavier drove through the city streets. The motion of the vehicle was soothing, lulling my exhausted body into something close to relaxation.

I tried to keep my eyes open, but my lids felt heavier with each passing moment.

Just for a second, I let my head rest against the armrest between us.

And before I knew it—I was asleep.

Xavier's POV

The moment she drifted off, I exhaled a slow breath, as I drove in silence.

She had no idea.

No idea how close she had come to real danger.

No idea how I was still barely restraining the sharp-edged fury curling beneath my skin.

That man—

I had wanted to do worse.

I would have done worse if she hadn't been there. But I will Later.

My grip tightened for a moment before I forced myself to relax, stealing a glance at her sleeping form.

She looked peaceful now, her lips slightly parted, her breathing even. The tension that had been wound so tightly in her small frame had melted away in sleep, and something about that made my chest ache in a way I didn't like.

She trusted too easily.

She shouldn't have let her guard down like that.

Not with me.