The Dark Protector (Kingpin's Property 1)

“We have to head back,” I mutter.

“What?” She shoots up, eyes filled with disappointment. “But we just arrived.”

“You’re in danger.”

“I am? Is it... the death threats?”

“Yes,” I nod, not willing to venture further. “Come on, we’re leaving.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not up to you,” I hiss. “Stop fucking with me, angel. Get dressed so we can go.”

“No.” She crosses her arms and stares up at me from the couch. “I don’t want to leave. I like it here.”

“I do too, Tallulah. But don’t be a brat now. Come with me.”

Before I can stop her, she takes off to the bedrooms. I hear the door slam and the lock turning. I rush after her, but even though I’m fast on her trail, she is faster. The door nearly gets my fingers.

“Tallulah fucking Gunn,” I hiss. “Open this door right now.”

“Or else what?” she mocks me from inside the room. “Are you going to knock it down?”

“I fucking might.” My brain is racing with possibilities of the dangers inside her room. I know there’s no one in there, but I can’t help feeling fucking paranoid. “Come on, angel. Come out.”

“No!” I can hear her, so fucking close yet so far on the other end of the door.

“Tallulah, don’t make me break down this door.”

She doesn’t reply, making my heart fucking panic. This girl is driving me fucking crazy. Her mother was never this fucking bratty. And now, Tallulah’s angsty little teenage crisis is making me furious.

“You’re going to get hurt again, Tallulah,” I say, my voice carrying a warning. “You remember what happened last time you misbehaved? Do you remember your punishment?”

No answer yet again. With a groan, I signal for the team to come in. Antonio arrives first, eyes worried as he glances at the door.

“Is she alone in there?” he asks, voice tinged with anxiousness.

“You tell me,” I hiss. “You’re supposed to be her goddamned bodyguard, aren’t you?”

“Tallulah?” He raps his fist against the door, once again with no answer. “Padron, we can take the doors off the hinges.”

“No time for that,” I growl. “I’m breaking it down.”

“Please, padron, don’t-“

I pay him no mind, slamming my side against the door until it splinters. I do it again and again until I can reach the door handle. I unlock the door and let myself in, but when Antonio tries to follow, I punch him.

“You’re not going in there,” I roar at him. “Keep the perimeter clear and make sure there are no disturbances. I’ll see you.”

I shut the remains of the door in his face and turn around to face Tallulah.

My angel is in her bed, her halo of silver blonde hair fanned out around her. Those beautiful blue eyes are wide and fucking terrified. Looking at her, I’ve never been fucking more turned on, something I’m troubled by - I know I shouldn’t covet her, not the way I do. But I can’t help myself around Tallulah Gunn.

“What are you going to do now?” she speaks bravely, glaring at me from the bed. “I know you won’t make a move. You already feel guilty enough about last time, don’t you?”

I don’t answer, just continue staring at her with a menacing expression.

“You swore you wouldn’t,” she reminds me, the words searing through me. “You still have months and months to go before you can punish me the way you really want. Isn’t that right, Xavier?”

“That may be true,” I finally grit out. “But that goes for pleasure, not pain, angel. And out of the two, I have to say... I might prefer hurting you.”

“You will not hurt me again.”

Though her words are brave, her pretty eyes sparkle with fear. It gets me off like nothing else. My addiction to the pretty girl is fucking worsening, making me think I’ll destroy her before the night is over.

“Are you sure about that, Tallulah?”

She stares back, defying me. She won’t be doing that for long. No answer comes, and I smirk when I see how weak she really is. Tallulah doesn’t stand a chance against me. I’m going to fucking destroy her... and she’ll never be the same.

“Let’s find out,” I say in a low growl before advancing on her again. “This time, my darling angel, you have nowhere left to run. So get ready, because you’re in for a world of pain.”

Chapter 6

TALLULAH

Seeing Xavier in the room with me has my mind spinning. He took that door down so easily. I never should have doubted his strength. Now, he’s going to hurt me. It’s written all over his handsome face.

“At least one of your wishes will come true,” he tells me in an ominous voice. “You get to stay here a little while longer.”

“Thought we were going home,” I speak up from the bed, strangely brave given how much trouble I’m in.