Page 2 of The Vicious Defender

"Angel, is everything alright?"

"Yes," I reply quickly, forcing a painful but beaming smile on my lips. "Let's go. Please."

He hesitates before nodding and leading me out of the room.

The helicopter landed onXavier's property, and in less than twenty minutes, we are up in the sky, admiring the view of the city beneath us.

"See that right there? It's that art gallery I took you to," Xavier points out, squeezing my thigh. I tense up and he pretends not to notice. "There are so many places I want to take you in the city, Tallulah... And I will, I swear. When it's safe."

"When it's safe," I repeat softly, risking a look into his eyes. "Will it ever be safe for us?"

Now it's his turn to tense up. "I don't know. I'm trying my best to make it safe for us. Trust me."

"I do," I breathe and lean in for a kiss. "I trust you more than anything."

His lips crash against mine, and he pushes his tongue into my mouth, exploring and claiming, reminding me who owns me. Every time we kiss, he makes me forget everything around me. All I can feel is him, all I can taste is him, and all I can smell is his masculine scent, taking over me in a cloud of dominance I'm always grateful for.

"There's the castle where I'd marry you if I could," he says with an edge to his voice. "It would be beautiful. A fairytale wedding."

"We could still have a wedding," I whisper. "When it's safe."

Xavier pulls back and I see the inner turmoil raging within him. Would he do if it weren't for his brother? My father? Or is he just ashamed of me?

I shake my head to get the traitorous thoughts out. We land on the roof of a luxurious hotel, surrounded by security. I smile gratefully at them, and they nod back. It's been a while since I felt so safe.

"Ready for dinner?" Xavier asks.

"I can't wait," I grin. "Can I have wine tonight?"

"Absolutely not."

"Damn."

"Come, angel. Let's eat," he orders and leads me into the hotel. I glance at the sign above the entrance. It's a Michelin-starred restaurant with a waiting list a mile long.

"How did you manage to get us a table here?" I ask, surprised.

"It doesn't matter," he replies. "We have it for the evening."

I can't believe he managed to arrange this. There are no more questions, no more answers. He leads me inside and the maitre d' bows deeply as we enter the restaurant.

"Right this way, sir, madame," he says in a thick French accent.

"This is insane," I giggle. "I didn't expect anything like this."

"Anything for you," Xavier replies and winks. "And your surprise."

I frown and follow him inside the restaurant, the maître d' following behind us. We sit at a private table in the corner, and the man takes the menus.

"I'll be back with the menu and the wine. Enjoy the evening," he says and leaves us alone.

I look around, and there's a large bouquet of flowers in the corner. My eyes widen when I see the little box nestled in the bouquet.

"Oh my God," I breathe.

"Surprise, angel," Xavier smiles. "That's your present."

"My present?"

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