Fucking perfect. I can barely keep myself from grinning with the self-satisfaction I feel knowing I’ve bested Heath and Rain yet again.
“I wasn’t going to tell you until you turned eighteen,” I go on. “But because of the threat to your life, I had to take you sooner. You understand, don’t you, angel?”
She nods slowly, muttering, “I can’t believe my parents would just give me up like that.”
“They didn’t have a choice,” I reply, swallowing my next words. I don’t need to defend Heath and Rain. They got themselves into this damn mess.
“Still,” Tallulah goes on. “Did they try to get you to change your mind?”
I recall Rain’s desperate cries and Heath’s pleading seventeen years ago. They were desperate to keep their daughter. But I will not tell Tallulah that. Let her fucking wonder.
“I have plenty more presents for you,” I say, trying to distract her from the matter at hand. “Do you want to open some more?”
“No,” she whispers. “I can open more later... But Xavier, does this mean we’re going to be married?”
“Yes.”
She pales even more. “But... I’m so much younger than you.”
I shrug, saying, “As long as you’re over eighteen, that doesn’t matter to me.”
She nods thoughtfully, sneaking another glance at me.
“But do you... do you even like me in that way?” she whispers.
I can tell she’s desperate for my approval, but I also know I can’t tell her the truth.
That I’m finding it harder and harder to stay away from her with each passing moment.
That I’m so eager to make her mine already, I’m willing to forget about her age.
Instead, I smile and say, “I’m sure with time I will, angel. You’re a beautiful young girl and you’d make a fine wife for anyone.”
She nods, but I can tell I haven’t quite convinced her, which is probably for the best. I can’t show Tallulah my genuine emotions just yet. Not until I’ve turned her love for her parents into hatred. That’s when she’ll truly belong to me - when she’ll willingly pick me over Heath and Rain.
“I’m sorry, angel. I know this is a lot of information to take in at once,” I mutter. “I should have given you more time to rest. But I needed you to finally know the truth.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “You are kinder to me than my parents.”
I smile reassuringly, saying, “I’m sure we’ll have a fine time together, angel. Do you want to go back to sleep?”
She shakes her head. “I’ll get ready now.”
“Good. Shall I meet you downstairs for lunch in an hour?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, angel. Do me a favor.”
“What would you like?” she replies with a soft smile.
So damn trusting. She’d do anything for me.
“Try to have an amazing birthday,” I say. “Forget about all those bad things and enjoy today for me, okay?”
“Yes,” she says softly. “I’ll see you soon, Xavier.”
I walk out of her room and close the door on my way before leaning against the wood with a heavy sigh.
It’s so fucking hard not to touch her, want her, make a move on her. But my conscience won’t let me act on my feelings, not while she’s still underage. I’m going to have to watch myself with Tallulah, because she’s so damn tempting.
A moment later, I hear the key turning in the lock, and my brows shoot up. Tallulah locked her bedroom from the inside.
A smirk plays on my lips as I walk back toward my bedroom. Seems like she took my words seriously. Still, it makes me wonder why she’s locking her door. Does she just want privacy? Or is there something my sweet angel is hiding from me?
I shake my head, telling myself Tallulah would never lie to me.
I get dressed after taking an ice-cold shower and smile at my reflection in the mirror. Finally, she’s all fucking mine.
And the games are only just beginning.
Four
TALLULAH
I pick a navy blue dress for my lunch with Xavier. It’s modestly cut with a flared skirt, but there’s a small keyhole in the decolletage that makes me flush. I pair it with some simple black ballet flats and slowly find my way to the dining room downstairs.
Around my neck, the key Xavier gave me hangs on the cross necklace I got from my parents. I cautiously wrap my fingers around the cross as I walk into the dining room. My heart skips a beat at seeing Xavier already at the dining table.
“Hello,” I say, flushing at the weak sound of my voice. I’m so damn nervous and it shows.
“Hi, angel,” Xavier replies with a grin, pointing to a seat next to him. “Come, have some food with me.”
I join him and gently place a napkin on my lap. The food is brought out. Steaming platters of meat, vegetables, potatoes and more makes my mouth salivate. I’ve eaten more since I’ve been here than in days before coming here. I remind myself I’ll have to ask Xavier what I can do to work off the calories.