“I wanted to talk to you about something,” I begin.
“Oh?”
“Remember when I punished you? You said something about feeling unloved.”
Tallulah’s lips settle into a line, and she shakes her head, dodging my gaze. “I don’t remember that.”
“I do,” I mutter. “At first I thought it was a manipulation tactic, but now I’m worried. Do you really feel unloved?”
She shrugs noncommittally, refusing to give me an answer.
“Come on, angel. You know you can trust me.”
“I guess sometimes,” she mutters.
“Because of your parents?”
“I know they like my sister better.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” I lie. “They wouldn’t make differences between the two of you.”
“They did,” she replies bitterly. “I never blamed my sister. I blamed myself. I know now they didn’t want to get attached... because they knew they’d have to give me up. To you.”
“So you’re blaming me now, angel?” I mimic a pout. “How sad. Luckily, you have me now to take care of you. Better than Mommy and Daddy could’ve done. Better than anyone could have done.”
“I don’t think you love me, Xavier.”
I laugh out loud, and motion inside. “Looks like the food is ready, angel. Let’s eat.”
She gets up, and I follow behind her with my hand on the small of her back. I lead her to the table where the chef has laid out our food before disappearing. We dig into our food, but I don’t relish the delicacies laid before me. I’m too focused on Tallulah, still replaying our conversation in my mind.
Besides, I’m troubled by taking her away from the safety of the Casa. Those death threats that came in... they mean trouble. And now her would-be-assassins are becoming braver. As if it’s not a question of if they’ll kill her... but a question of when, instead.
“Can we go for a walk on the beach?” Tallulah asks hopefully. “Without the guards?”
“It’s too dangerous. Sorry, angel,” I mutter, ignoring her hurt expression. “But there’s something else here you might like. Finish your food and I’ll show you.”
She tucks in with more gusto while I lay my cutlery aside, watching her eat. In so many ways, Tallulah looks like her mother, but I don’t see Rain at all when I look at her. I see the epitome of all my desires poured into one perfect mold. Her glossy white blonde ringlets, those eyes, the tooth gap... She’s the forbidden fantasy I never thought I’d have. And I won’t stop until I fucking devour her.
Once she eats, I accompany her to the pier of the house where there’s a small pool and stairs leading into the sea.
“Fancy a swim?” I wink at her. “The pool is heated.”
She grins at me before pulling her lilac floral dress over her head and taking off her sandals. “How about we go into the ocean instead?”
I glance up at the roof where my men are standing watch. Antonio is staring at me, and I realize it’s because Tallulah is naked and he doesn’t want to risk pissing me off by glancing at her. The rest of my men know better than to ogle my ward, too.
“Fine,” I smirk in return. “Let’s go skinny dipping, angel.”
We strip off our clothes. She leaps from the pier, her tiny body crashing into the water and splashing me. I’m close behind. Before she even comes up for air, I’ve already wrapped my arms around her, holding her close to my body as she shivers.
She giggles as I kiss her neck. Once again we’re playing her little game - does she want me, or does she not? I’m still wearing boxers, but I’m sure she can feel how turned on I am.
Tallulah’s fingers wander over my skin absentmindedly.
“You’re so muscular,” she mutters.
“Gotta stay in shape to protect you,” I say. “In case those damn dogs never learn to do their job.”
She laughs, floating away from me and lying on her back, her pretty body exposed. I glance at the guys, already pissed off, but they know better than to stare at my angel.
I swim around her to keep her safe, never letting go of her hand as she floats. Once I can see goosebumps over her skin, I tug her toward me.
“Come on, you’re cold. Let’s get back inside.”
By the time we swim back up to the pier, my men are already waiting for us. With a grave expression, Hugo pulls me aside.
“We got another of those black envelopes,” he mutters.
“Same message?” I grit out.
He nods. “Her birth year. And this year.”
“Fuck.” I rub the bridge of my nose. “We’ll head back early. I’ll go tell Tallulah.”
I break away from the group and walk back inside the house. Antonio exits, making me suspicious. But he’s wearing the perfect poker face as he faces me, saying, “She’s waiting for you in the living room, padron.”
I walk inside where Tallulah is cuddled up on the sectional couch.