Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
My fist lingers in front of the door of Xavier’s office. I can hear voices from inside, and I hesitate, guiltily eavesdropping on my godfather’s conversation with one of his subordinates.
I think his right-hand man is in there, Saul. Julio, too. So that’s why he isn’t glued to my side.
“We need to keep her safe,” Xavier says from behind the door. “I’m not letting anybody hurt Tallulah.”
“Of course, padron,” I hear Saul say. “That is our priority.”
“Speaking of safety,” Xavier continues. “Your brother, Julio, is not doing so well.”
I can practically feel the tension in the room. I can imagine what Julio’s thinking. He must remember Xavier, his boss, breaking his brother’s arm. Antonio’s sling is off now, but I’m sure nobody’s forgotten the ease with which my guardian punished him.
“I’m sorry about Antonio, padron,” Julio finally replies. “I... I thought he’d fit in better here, but he seems to have gotten a crazy idea in his head and he isn’t letting go of it.”
Xavier chuckles. I move a little so I can see through the door that’s been left ajar. I look at them through the crack, Xavier behind his desk and the other two standing in front of him. My breath catches in my throat, and I pray I won’t get caught. But I can’t look away.
“Let’s hear it,” my guardian says. “What’s this crazy idea your brother is so obsessed with?”
Julio hesitates, and Xavier claps his hands, prompting him to speak.
“He seems to doubt Tallulah’s integrity, padron,” he mutters. “I don’t know where this is coming from, but... he thinks she’s out to get you.”
I pale listening to them. Damn Julio for putting these ideas in my guardian’s head.
“Out to get me?” Xavier repeats, laughing as if his subordinate has just told him a joke. “Have you seen her? She’s tiny, young. She’s obsessed with me and cannot wait for the moment she finally becomes my wife.”
My cheeks flush with shame. I can’t believe how ashamed I am of my feelings. It’s even worse now that I know Xavier has seen it, too.
“I know, padron,” Julio goes on. “I told him it’s a ridiculous thought. Anyone who has seen Ta-err, your ward with you, knows she is attached to you deeply.”
Great, so everyone else knows, too. I let out a small huff of frustration. Xavier’s eyes fly up and I cover my mouth with my palm, eyes wide as I press my back against the wall, hoping he hasn’t spotted me.
But it’s too late.
“Tallulah?”
His darkly dominant voice floats to me and I take a deep breath before stepping back into his view.
“Yes?”
Xavier smirks at me, revealing two rows of perfect teeth that shine like diamonds. “Since you’re listening already, you might as well come in.”
I nod, cheeks burning bright red as I let myself into his office. I keep my eyes trained on the floor and my arms crossed at the wrist behind my back.
“Did you hear what we were talking about?” Xavier asks. I see no point in denying what I’ve heard, so I nod. “What do you think of it then, angel? Where do you think Antonio got this silly idea that you’re out to hurt me?”
“Maybe it was the other day in the garden,” I mutter.
“What happened?” I can tell Xavier is already angry. I’m ashamed to admit it excites me he’s so possessive. The mere thought of my interaction with another man is enough to make his jaw tic.
“We were having a play fight in the gardens,” I shrug. “It was nothing serious. But I won, and that seemed to upset him a lot. I guess I just had beginner’s luck. He wouldn’t let it go after that, though.”
“So, on top of being fucking certifiable,” Xavier growls at Julio. “Your brother can be beaten in a fight by a little girl.”
I keep my eyes trained on my godfather even though I can feel Julio’s suspicious stare glued to me. I know he loves his brother. He wants to trust Antonio. But this thought is so ridiculous, he can’t bring himself to believe it.
“There’s something else,” I say to Xavier, pretending I haven’t noticed Julio staring at me. “He... he kind of admitted he was in love with me.”
“Excuse me?” Xavier snarls. His palms land on the desk in front of him and he jumps up from his seat, his gaze trained on his men. “You allowed that to happen, Julio? I thought you vouched for this guy.”
“He’s my brother,” Julio manages, looking crestfallen. “He’d never... I never thought...”
“Well, you thought wrong,” Xavier hisses. “My angel doesn’t lie. If she says your brother fed her this bullshit, I believe her. Now convince me not to slit your throat for bringing that snake into my house.”
“No, please,” I rush towards him. “It’s not Julio’s fault. I never had a problem with Julio.”