The Dark Protector (Kingpin's Property 1)

“Don Xavier,” he mutters politely, kissing the ring on my right hand. “It is truly an honor to meet you.”

“What’s your name, kid?”

“Antonio,” he says, respectfully bowing in front of me. “No matter the task you have for me, I’m willing to do it.”

“No matter the task, huh?” I smirk coldly. “You’re really willing to do anything to join our ranks, aren’t you, Antonio?”

He nods eagerly, keeping his gaze trained on me. I like that he hasn’t looked at Tallulah once, and it’s amusing how much it’s bothering her. But this boy will grow into a good man under my watch.

“Your job will be protecting her,” I nod in Tallulah’s direction, pleased to see he’s still focusing his gaze on me and not taking the bait. “If it comes down to it... I expect you to die in her wake.”

“Of course, padron.”

His eyes find mine and reassure me with their intense, steely gaze. I trust him. My gut feeling is always right, so I nod, pleased with Julio’s pick for the job.

“Tallulah will walk you through her schedule. She may roam the house, and she may go outside twice - with supervision, of course. I don’t want her alone.”

“Do I get a say in this?” Tallulah hisses at me, but I pay her no mind, addressing Jaime instead.

“You answer to me,” I tell him sternly. “And nobody else. Just me. You fucking got that?”

“Of course, Don Xavier,” he replies with a smile. “I’m here to serve you. I will not get distracted.”

Judging by the fact he still hasn’t so much as glanced at Tallulah, I choose to believe him, smirking as I lay a hand on his shoulder.

“Good,” I mutter. “Welcome to the Scorpion cartel.”

Chapter 2

TALLULAH

It’s my first day without Xavier by my side. I’m eating lunch, but I don’t have an appetite.

“Can you get me a lollipop?” I ask the guard. I think his name is Antonio. He must be closer in age to me than Xavier. He’s very closed off too, barely looking at me - but I can understand that. Xavier can be very possessive and intimidating. “Pretty please?”

I can tell from the way Antonio looks at me, he thinks my request is ridiculous. But he knows better than to argue with the boss’s ward.

He calls over a maid and tells her my order. I sit at a dining table laden with food, nodding towards the loaded plates.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

He shakes his head without looking at me. Antonio is wearing black clothes, a shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and black slacks. On this side, he’s holding a gun, one hand over the other wrist. It’s like something out of a movie, and I let out a small laugh. I never thought I’d need to be protected like this... but I’m sure Xavier knows best.

“Then we should send this food to a homeless shelter,” I mutter just as the maid reappears and hands me a glittery pink lollipop on a silver plate. Antonio conveys my instructions in Spanish, and I keep his eyes on him as the maid nods and disappears.

“Can we go to the gardens?” I suggest hopefully.

“No,” he grunts. “Stay inside. Don Xavier’s orders.”

“And what are you going to do if I try to leave?” I ask, a brow shooting up as I suck on the strawberry flavor candy.

I’ll admit, part of me is doing this for attention. I’m testing Antonio to see how likely he is to break Xavier’s rules. So far, it doesn’t seem to work so well, and that’s upsetting. The thought of my charms not working on somebody has me pouting.

“Stop you.” His impenetrable gaze tells me I won’t be able to get away from him - not unless I trick him. “You may go into your bedroom. I will wait outside.”

My eyes explore him as I think about his offer. I like the idea of being alone, but the desire to catch Antonio in a compromising situation is still going hard. I’m going to have to be cleverer about it, though.

“Okay.” I lick my lips, feeling the sticky, glittery gloss of the lollipop on my mouth. “Let’s go to my room.”

I walk before him, but I can’t feel his gaze on me. He checks the bedroom before letting me go inside. I point to the gun at his side, saying, “Do you really have to keep it out like that all the time?”

His eyes are alight with amusement for a split second, but then he looks away again. It’s like we’re playing a game - like he knows what I’m trying to do, and won’t break for any reason.

“Yes, in case of emergencies.” He holds the bedroom door open for me. “Go on. I’ll have to lock you in.”

“I didn’t doubt it,” I say with a roll of my eyes before walking inside my prison. I mimic holding a gun with my fingers and shoot it against Antonio’s chest, sticking my tongue out. “I can protect myself, you know.”