I offer my guard a shaky smile, trying to cement his belief in my innocence. He doesn’t smile back, making me realize he still doubts my loyalty to Xavier.
“It’s always been Antonio,” I mutter regretfully, turning back to face my godfather. “He’s been... inappropriate a few times. Don’t punish Julio for something his brother did. He’s always had my best interest at heart.”
“Fine,” Xavier sighs, shaking his hand as if he’s sick of all this. “You can go, Julio. But I’m done with your brother. Saul, arrange for someone to take him out before midnight.”
My heart lurches when Saul nods and walks out of there. I glance at Julio, who’s white as a sheet.
“Please, padron,” he begins. “I will not beg another time. But this is my brother.”
Saul stops and checks on Xavier who glances at me. I stare at the floor, unable to handle the pressure being put on me.
If I knew what was good of me, I’d keep my mouth firmly shut. It’s better if Antonio dies. Better for me.
“Please, don Xavier,” Julio pleads brokenly again. “Spare him. Give him one more chance. Please, just one more.”
“Seems to me like he’s already gotten plenty of chances,” Xavier grits out. “But, Julio, to show my respect to you, I will allow him to stay for another job. After that, he’s in, or he’s dead. You fucking got it?”
“Yes, yes, of course, padron,” Julio bleats. “Thank you, thank you, don Xavier.”
“Now get out of here before I change my mind,” my guardian hisses. “Not you, Tallulah. You stay.”
My feet stay glued to the floor as the other two men shuffle past me. I can still feel Julio’s questioning gaze on me, but I do my best to ignore it. He’s already suspicious enough about me. I can only hope Antonio stops spewing that nonsense about me, or it’s going to sow a seed of doubt into everyone’s head.
The door of Xavier’s office closes behind them and my guardian comes to the front of his desk, gently tipping my chin back so I’m forced to look at him. My eyes fill with tears because I’m so afraid. My heart beats faster, and I tell myself it’s fear and adrenaline. Not my forbidden feelings for Xavier.
“I don’t think you’re out to hurt me, angel,” Xavier mutters. My heart takes a leap and relief fills me, making my knees turn to jelly. “You aren’t, right? Don’t lie to me, Tallulah.”
Now my heart has stopped. I shake my head, keeping my eyes trained on him. This hurts so much. But it’s never going to get better. I might as well get used to the pain, because it won’t go away, it will only get worse.
“Say it, angel,” Xavier continues.
“I’m not out to hurt you,” I whisper, my eyes still on his. “Please, believe me.”
“I do.”
He leans closer, his lips lingering an inch away from mine. He bites my lower lip and rolls it between his lips, making me moan out loud like a cat in heat. My skin burns with the shame I feel knowing he can take advantage of my body like this. I can’t even fight it. The effect he has on me is inescapable.
“Do you miss my lips on yours, Tallulah?” he asks.
“Y-Yes.”
“Not long to go now, is there?”
“No, n-not long at all...”
“Are you excited about your birthday?” His cool, minty breath leaves a shiver down my neck. “You know what’s going to happen then, right?”
“Y-Yes,” I manage. All my bravery goes out the window when Xavier is around. No matter how much I want to hate him for keeping me away from my family, my body can’t deny the attraction I feel for him. It’s like an instinct when I’m around him... to give in, and give him everything he wants.
“I’m going to fuck you,” he whispers in my ear. “But I have a few surprises in store for you before then. You like surprises, don’t you, angel?”
Suddenly, I feel his palm on my thighs. It’s not moving, just resting there in a carefree way that tells everyone I am his.
“I-I-I...” I stammer as he squeezes my thigh. His rings dig into my skin and I let out a groan of surprise. It hurts, but feels good at the same time. And I want more.
“Please,” I whisper next. “Touch me more.”
“Why are you always so desperate?” Xavier cages my throat beneath his fingers and lovingly runs his thumb over my neck as I needily try to catch my breath. “It’s such a nice thing to see, don’t get me wrong, angel. You dripping into your panties - if you’re even wearing any - is a tempting fucking sight. But the ease with which you submit to me took me by surprise. You too, huh?”
I can’t reply. I can barely breathe. I just stare up at him with a mix of horror and lust in my wide eyes.