More suspicion enters his gaze, but he doesn’t comment, just watches me with a troubled expression as I spin through the gardens.
But I need to be more careful. I can’t allow Antonio to notice any of this stuff, and I’ve been getting cocky about it. I’ve been toying with him for no reason. Just because I want to see the carnage. Soon enough, I’ll have to lie to Xavier about him. I can’t risk Antonio getting hurt because of me. He doesn’t deserve it.
Of course, it won’t be my fault if Xavier punishes the man himself...
Chapter 4
XAVIER
“I’ve noticed you’re getting closer and closer with Antonio,” I hiss through gritted teeth as Tallulah joins me for dinner that night. My medium-rare steak sits in front of me untouched, but Tallulah is having her fill of our dinner, happily piling her plate high with delicacies the maids have prepared. “Is there a special reason you’re giving him so much of your attention? You know that should be saved for me and me alone.”
“I’m not giving him any attention,” she replies, batting her lashes at me. “He’s my guard, Xavier. I’m forced to spend time with him, whether or not I like it.”
“So you’re saying you don’t like him?” I get out, glaring at her. The satisfaction I feel when she says those words is sick. I’m so possessive of her, it feels good to know she’s all mine. That she isn’t thinking about the handsome guard who keeps watch over her in the same way she thinks about me.
“Why does it matter?” Tallulah demands. “Are you going to replace him?”
“If I have to, I will,” I mutter, even though what I really want to do instead of replacing him is cut his goddamn throat open and watch his blood smear the floors of Tallulah’s pretty bedroom. Make her watch. That’s the kind of sick bastard I am. “Are either of you going to give me a reason to do that?”
“No,” she finally shrugs, making a huge weight fall off my shoulders. “I don’t care about him either way.”
I nod, hiding how I really feel about the situation behind a sly smile. “Good. I don’t want a fucking reason to kill him. The guy’s actually proven to be useful so far.”
“Good,” she replies innocently, pushing a forkful of rice into her mouth and grinning at me with her cheeks full. She’s so fucking cute. The temptation to devour her grows stronger with each second I spend in her company.
I keep sneaking glances at her when she isn’t looking. She is lying to me about the connection she has with Antonio. I’ve seen it on the cameras installed in her bedroom myself. The two are close, often sharing intimate conversations, facts that nobody else knows. If I were a wiser man, I would’ve killed him a long time ago. And yet I can’t bring myself to hurt him - because he’s Tallulah’s only friend.
I haven’t allowed her to form connections with anybody inside the house except for me and Antonio. Her guard is her only confidant, and I think it’s important she has someone. In case something happens to me - which could always be the case in my line of work - she’ll have someone to console her.
“Actually...” She looks up at me as I begin and narrows her eyes in anticipation. “I think Antonio could do well with a change of scenery. And since he seems to be getting attached to you, now might be the perfect time to switch.”
“But...” She bites her lower lip, as if she’s hesitating whether she wants me to notice that this upset her. “You’re going to make him swap places with someone? Who?”
“I thought his brother would be a fine choice,” I smirk. I rely heavily on Julio, and I’ve known him for enough years to know he would never break my rules the way his brother does. “Would you like to talk to him right now?”
“I suppose,” Tallulah says. “Like I said, I don’t really care either way.”
I know she’s lying, but I’ll enjoy breaking her enough for her to finally reveal the truth - that she cares about Antonio. Two guards walk forward as I click my fingers. I mutter for one of them to bring Julio forward. Moments later, the tall, dark and handsome man stands before us with a stony expression.
“You wanted to see me, padron?”
“Indeed,” I reply with a calm smile. “You’re going to be switching places with your brother this week. You’ll be in charge of my ward’s protection. This is Tallulah Gunn.”
“Hello,” she bites out, not quite meeting his gaze. Julio nods politely at her without saying a word, and her lips press together into a thin line. I can tell she isn’t pleased, that she likes the more personal interaction with Antonio much more, but I will not call her out for it. It’s better if she thinks I haven’t even noticed.