Chapter 11
XAVIER
I listen in front of the door, waiting for the smallest transgression from Antonio, which will have me barging into the room. I hear them lowering their voices, as if they’re talking about something private, intimate. Anger and fury run through my veins and I fist my hands. I’m tempted to rip out Antonio’s tongue, but I need to watch myself and not act too quickly. Instead, I open the door and march inside Tallulah’s room, ready to break apart whatever is happening between them.
But aside from Antonio’s reddened face, everything looks as innocent as can be. The dogs are on Tallulah’s lap and she challenges me with her darkened gaze, half-testing, half-smirking at me. That girl will be the end of me.
“We’re going out,” I bark at Tallulah. “Doll up for me and be ready in an hour.”
With those words, I walk out of the room again, slamming the door behind me. I don’t have the energy to deal with my emotions right now, but I already know Tallulah is driving me crazier than her mother ever did. This jealous, possessive streak of mine is becoming more and more dominant with my ward. I’m eager to defend her, make her my property. And there’s nothing anyone can do to stop me. Least of all my pretty little goddaughter.
Instead of focusing on my scrambled mind, I get ready myself. A new designer suit and my adoptive father’s cufflinks complete my look. I put on Tallulah’s cross necklace, smirking as I see the silver glint against my skin.
An hour later, I meet her in the hall along with a handful of guards who will accompany us tonight. Tallulah looks stunning as ever as she slowly descends the marble suitcase of the Casa. She’s wearing a champagne colored silk gown, cut close to the body and adorned with enormous bows on her shoulders. It almost looks like a wedding dress, and that thought alone is enough to get my mind racing with possibilities.
I don’t comment on Tallulah’s appearance, which she seems slightly disappointed by. Instead, we all file into our cars, with Tallulah and me protected on all sides by our guards. The drive is swift - thirty minutes and we’re in the city, arriving at our destination.
“What is this place?” Tallulah asks as she carefully gets out of the car, tottering in a sky-high pair of ivory heels. It makes me wonder whether she’s wearing bridal lingerie, too. If only I could find out - but tonight isn’t the first day of any season, and I need to keep my hands to myself.
“It’s an art gallery,” I smirk. “I bought it for you. I think you’ll like it.”
Her face lights up as I offer her my arm and escort her inside the building. Guards are everywhere, making sure Tallulah is as protected as she can be. I will not let anybody hurt her, not on my watch.
Inside, the main gallery building is filled with art pieces I picked personally because I wanted to see Tallulah’s reaction to them. I guide her amidst the walls filled with paintings and sculptures, and she gawks at the sight.
“I wanted us to do something together but still keep you safe,” I tell her in a low voice. “I thought this would be an enjoyable experience for both of us. And your father told me you’re interested in art.”
She gives me a thoughtful look. “I never told you that myself, did I?”
“No,” I shake my head. “But since you’re my betrothed, I’ve taken it upon myself to discover as much as I can about you, Tallulah. It’s my job to get to know you better. And I want you to be happy, even though we have to be careful right now. That’s why I brought you here.”
She nods and approaches one sculpture, a ballerina caught mid spin. It’s a beautiful work carved out of marble, an unusual medium for such a delicate painting.
“I own them all,” I tell my ward. “Your favorites can be taken back to the Casa so you can look at them every day.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, her attention fleeting from the ballerina to an enormous painting in light pink tones. “I want this one and the dancer. I love them.”
“Your wish is my command,” I wink at her, nodding at one of the guards, who responds with a slight nod. Tonight is about making Tallulah as happy as I can. I fear I’ve neglected her happiness lately.
“There’s something else I wanted us to do,” I mention as she flits around the room, leaving a tempting trail of perfume in her wake. Her scent is specific and so very enticing. Peaches. Ripe, white peaches that are just begging you to take a bite. But I must abstain. Not for much longer, though.
“What’s that?” Tallulah wonders, eyes wide as she turns to face me. “I want to know.”