Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
"He's dangerous," she hisses. "You're better off without him."
"No, I'm not. He's my husband."
"A marriage you should've never agreed to," she spits.
"Actually," I remind her. "You did. Before I was even born."
"We didn't know him. And your father's grandfather did."
"Right. So that automatically means he's the bad guy."
"He's a criminal," my mom hisses.
"Oh, and what exactly have you two done in the past?" I challenge her. "I've read the files. I've heard the stories. You're hardly angels."
"This isn't about us, honey. It's about him. He's a killer. He'll destroy you," Mom whispers. "And if he doesn't, his brother will."
"You can't keep me from my husband."
"Actually, we can. And we will," my dad says, and I turn to him, eyes wide.
"Are you seriously doing this?"
"We're trying to keep you safe," Mom tells me.
"He does that," I cry.
"Your mother's right, Tallulah. There are other ways."
"There are no other ways," I say firmly. "He's the only one who can keep me safe."
"He needs our help to do that," Dad says through gritted teeth. "And there will be a price to pay."
I walk up to him and stab my finger into his chest. "You've always hated me. Ever since Xavier made you swear you'd give me up. Well, I don't care. You will let him go, or so help me God, I will run away."
"With him," my dad says.
"If I have to," I tell him. "And then you'll never see me again. Or your future grandson."
"Your child belongs to us," my mom reminds me. "It's a debt owed."
I shake my head. "You spend so much time hating Xavier. Hatred runs through your veins instead of blood. It's time to let it go, Mom. You know why?"
I look her right in the eyes that look so much like mine.
"Because you're the same as him."
"Please, Liberato." I wring my hands together. "Just once. Let me go see him. He's my husband, for fuck's sake."
"Your father's orders were very clear," Liberato sighs.
"But I'm not a prisoner," I point out. "So his orders don't apply to me."
"I beg to differ."
"Please, Lib," I repeat. "Let me just have a few minutes with him."
"He's a danger to us all, Tallulah. Especially to you. I can't risk that," he shakes his head.
I stand up from the sofa and motion for the dogs to join me. Zeus and Hades leap over to me, licking my hands. "I'll tell the dogs to attack."
"Those pups?" he laughs out loud. "You're not serious, are you, T?"
"Watch me."
I whistle, and they sit, alert, their bodies tense. I turn them toward Liberato.
"Deny me and die," I tell him. "Attack!"
The dogs jump up and start barking, their jaws snapping at his face.
"Okay, okay," Liberato says, backing away, his hands held high. "Stop."
"Come here, boys," I laugh and they return to me. "See? That's all it takes."
"Jesus Christ," he mutters, shaking his head. "Your husband's rubbed off on you, that's for sure."
"Just take me down there," I plead.
"Fine," he sighs. "But stay close."
"No," I tell him.
"No?" he frowns.
"You're not coming with. I want to talk to him alone."
"Tallulah, please," he sighs. "You have a death wish, don't you?"
"Just do it, Lib," I tell him, and he leads the way. We walk through the large compound and go down to the basement, where Xavier is being kept.
"You have fifteen minutes," he tells me, and I nod. He opens the door and lets me in. "Remember. Fifteen minutes. Don't be late."
"I won't."
He gives me one last look before passing me a keychain. "Down the hallway. Ignore the others."
I nod and pocket the keys, watching him walk away. The door locks as he leaves, and I take a deep breath to center myself before continuing down the damp, cold hallway. I shiver, goosebumps erupting all over my skin. Damn, it's freezing. I wish I'd brought a blanket for Xavier. It's almost like my parents keep it so cold on purpose, to torture their prisoners.
"Xavier?" I call out as I make my way down the hallway.
I hear noises up ahead, and soon enough, I start seeing the cells. There's a man inside one, banging on the bars and calling out, and then another, but it's not until I get closer that I realize he's watching me. Just as I'm about to walk by, the man darts to the bars, dirty palms gripping the iron as he reaches out for me.
"Come here," he growls. "Pretty little thing. Come here."
I shudder, and my dogs start growling. They pull me away from the cage and lead me further into the darkness.
"Good boys," I murmur, letting them guide me. "Find Xavier. Go on, boys."
The dogs sniff the air and lead me into a dead-end, a single cage sitting there in the dark.
"Xavier," I whisper, and suddenly, the light above the cage switches on, and I see him. His face is covered in bruises, his lip cut, and his eyes are angry.