Once we near the rose bench, Mathilda and Tallulah crash together in a hug for the ages. They cling to one another, and it’s as if months of distance have been erased in their embrace. If I were a better man, I’d be feeling like a prick for keeping my angel separated from her family. But it’s been a long time since I’ve had a conscience. And with Tallulah, I’ll readily admit I’m a selfish, jealous fucking bastard.
The girls sit down on the stone bench and talk quickly, paying no attention to my presence. The guards watch on from a distance, with Antonio clutching his gun close by. His arm has healed now, but his trepidation in dealing with me hasn’t. Still, the kid’s done anything and everything to prove to me he’s loyal. I’m starting to trust him, perhaps even like him. Maybe there’s a spot in the cartel for him after all.
I don’t mean to listen to the girls’ conversation, but I do anyway. Tallulah is good at reassuring her sister, making empty promises about coming home soon even though I’ve clarified that will not happen. But little Mathilda eats up her lies, nodding eagerly at everything her older sibling says. Their conversation never lulls or stops. They keep jumping into one another’s words, eager to tell each other everything they’ve missed.
I allow it for an hour, pacing the gardens as I wait for them to finish. I’ve been more than kind, and it’s time to break up this brief reunion.
“It’s time for Mathilda to go home,” I say gruffly, making the little girl shut up. “Are you sure you don’t want to see your parents, Tallulah? Last chance. I’ll give you ten minutes.”
“No,” she shakes her head, not quite meeting my eye. “I can’t.”
“Alright.” I motion for Antonio to walk Mathilda home. “Say goodbye.”
“This isn’t goodbye, not really,” Tallulah tells her sister. My angel is a good liar. “I’ll see you soon, baby. Don’t forget to brush your hair, okay?”
“I won’t,” Mathilda whispers as her older sister brushes her fingers through long, blonde locks. “I’ll see you soon, Tallulah.”
Antonio leads her away and I turn my attention back to Tallulah’s tear-streaked face. “That was nice, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” she replies softly, risking at look at me. “Thank you for allowing me to see Mathilda. This was wonderful.”
“Learned some manners, have we?” I tease her. “You’ve been an especially good girl today, Tallulah. And I have something else planned for you.”
“Oh?” Her eyes light up with excitement. She can’t hide how pleased she is. “Are we going to spend some time alone?”
I smirk, knowing what effect I have on her. She’s eager for my company, eager to take advantage of this special day. Too bad I’m only going to use it to torture her further.
“No, not tonight, angel,” I say, spoiling her fantasies. “We’re going out. There’s an outfit waiting for you in your bedroom. I expect you to be ready to leave in thirty minutes.”
“We’re going out?” She seems excited at the prospect, eyes alive with pleasant surprise. “Aren’t you worried?”
“I’ll make an exception for today,” I smile mercifully. “You’ve been a good girl. I want to show you my world tonight. Promise to be on your best behavior?”
“Promise,” she grins, a glimpse into the carefree girl she used to be before I got my hands on her. “Thank you, Xavier.”
“Welcome to Tentación. So good to have you back, don Xavier.”
A gorgeous woman wraps her arm around me and giggles. Her nipple tassels swing as she leans over to place my drink on the table before facing Tallulah. My angel is watching the waitress with a murderous expression, already ready to pounce.
“And for your little friend, padron?”
“She’ll have a Coke,” I smile. “Cherry.”
“Coming right up, don Xavier.” She winks and slaps her ass as she leaves our table.
My attention shifts from her swaying curves to Tallulah’s moody expression. She couldn’t look brattier if she tried, sitting with her arms folded over her chest.
“You don’t seem very excited to be here,” I tease her. “We got the whole VIP lounge to ourselves. Aren’t you enjoying the view?”
I gesture at the club filled with cigar smoke, women in various states of undress and suit-clad men stuffing hundred-dollar bills into the staff’s lingerie.
“I wanted to be alone with you,” Tallulah mutters, avoiding my inquisitive gaze.
“I know,” I smirk. “But I wanted to show you off.”
At that moment, a spotlight lands on Tallulah’s face and everyone’s attention goes to my toy as a drum roll begins on the speakers.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, a tinge of panic in her voice already.
“You’re going to dance,” I tell her. “Stage’s yours, angel. Let’s see you seduce me. If you really want that special attention you’ve been craving so badly.”
“I... I don’t want to-“
“Did I say you had a choice?” I growl. “Get up there, or kiss your privileges goodbye, angel. I’m waiting.”