My body threatens to collapse when Xavier catches me, gently cradling me in his arms. He shrugs off his blazer and wraps me in it like a blanket. I don’t protest as he carries me out of the room.
As we’re in the hallway, I hear barking and someone rushes by, followed by two playful black and brown puppies. I laugh.
“You didn’t tell me you got dogs!” I say with delight, struggling to get free from Xavier’s grip. He groans, letting me step down. The dogs run up to me, tails wagging and ears flopping. “They’re so freaking cute. I love them. Are you keeping them, Xavier?”
I look up at him with wide eyes as one puppy jumps up to lick my cheek. I laugh, nearly toppling over as both of them jump on me.
“Absolutely not,” Xavier mutters, making me pout. I pick up both dogs and face him with my best pleading expression. “Don’t look at me like that, Tallulah. I wanted guard dogs, not fucking puppies. These two are fucking useless. And besides, everyone says they’re little fucking terrors.”
“They’re not!” I protest, letting them lick my face. “Look at them. They’re so cute. They love me!”
I laugh at the thought. How silly that I finally found someone to care about me - and it’s a dog.
“We’re not keeping them,” Xavier insists. “Put them down and go to your bedroom.”
Sulking, I let the puppies down, but as I walk to the bedroom, they follow me and burst inside before I can stop them. I can’t help but laugh again.
“Looks like the choice has been made for you,” a man I recognize as Saul, Xavier’s associate, speaks from the end of the hallway.
“Fucking hell,” Xavier mutters, running a hand through his dark hair peppered with gray streaks. “I’m not keeping those useless little things. They’ll be more trouble than they’re worth.”
“I don’t care,” I smile. “Call it another birthday present. You love to spoil me, don’t you, Xavier?”
Saul looks at my guardian with raised brows, as if seeing if he’ll reprimand me. But Xavier just grunts something and disappears down the hallway. I grin widely, and don’t even complain when Antonio comes up, motioning for me to get into the bedroom.
“I’ll need some things for them,” I tell him. “Toys, beds, some food.”
“Need to check with the boss,” Antonio shakes his head. “Not without his permission.”
“Let the brat have them,” Xavier mutters over his shoulder. “She won’t shut up if I take them away.”
I beam.
Chapter 5
XAVIER
Today is a special day both for myself and Tallulah. It’s the first occasion since she came to stay with me when I’m taking her away for the night. Because I’m worried about the death threats, I’ve taken a dozen guards with us. We change cars two times and switch out the guards, too. But Antonio stays with us. Since his first transgression, he’s made it his right to be with us today. He hasn’t let Tallulah out of his sight once.
We arrive at the beach house after a few hours, and I help Tallulah out of the car. It’s refreshing to see her alone. Those damn puppies have been yapping next to her heels for a fucking month. At least there’s one bright side to it - the stupid things are getting bigger and stronger. Tallulah refused to let anyone cut their tails, which are always happily wagging away when she’s around. She was tearful when I made her leave the pups behind, but today, I want my angel to myself.
I’ve kept my distance since her last punishment, but tonight is a date I hope Tallulah remembers.
“How do you like the house?” I ask as we stare at the building. It’s encased in glass, standing above the shore. Once the tide comes in, it’ll be on water.
“It’s beautiful,” she smiles weakly before muttering, “But are we going to have any privacy here? The entire house is glass.”
“Don’t worry,” I smirk, motioning to the flat roof where there’s a helicopter pad in case of emergencies. “The guards will be above us, and the whole thing is soundproof, in case you’re worried about someone hearing you.”
She flushes at the sound of my words. I don’t give her a chance to recover, motioning for her to go into the house.
Inside, she marvels at the artfully decorated interior. She toys with her silver cross necklace, reminding me to ask her about that piece of jewelry - the only thing she kept from her former life.
“Let’s watch the sunset,” I suggest, nodding to the deck looking over the sea. “The tide will come in soon. You’ll like it.”
I had a personal chef flown in. While he prepares our gourmet dinner, Tallulah and I relax on loungers overlooking the sea. The sky is dimming, blooming in fantastic watercolor. I miss it all because I’d rather look at my ward.