Page 20 of The Vicious Defender

"For all of Xavier's bragging, I was convinced he would knock that bratty side out of you faster," Dad says.

I glare at him. "Xavier has nothing to do with this. You're talking about my marriage now, and we both know that's not the only thing we're discussing."

"You're right, Tallulah," Mom speaks up. "We're not talking about your marriage. We're talking about your well-being."

"What are you even trying to say?"

"You're not the same girl we raised," Dad states.

"No, I'm not," I hiss. "Because I'm not a stupid, mindless puppet anymore."

"You've changed, and we're not sure how. Xavier has done something to you."

"Dad, I know it's hard for you to accept, but Xavier did nothing. This is me. I'm finally being true to myself. You were the ones who kept me captive and turned me into this. You can't blame him."

"But we don't trust him. And neither should you," Dad says. "Tallulah, the cartel isn't a safe place. Especially not for a girl like you. You should know that."

"You mean a girl with a target on her back?" I hiss.

"It's not that," Mom says.

"Yes, it is. Don't you get it, Mother? You made a huge mistake. You made me marry a man you wanted dead, and now everyone's out to get me. You and Dad are the reason why I'm in danger."

"Don't blame us for this. We did what we had to."

"Oh, really?" I sneer. "Did you have to send me off to be trained as a killer?"

"Yes," Dad states.

I'm getting tired of this. All I can think about is Matilda coming back to the sunroom, hearing this conversation and having to process it. The poor kid's going to grow up with a broken mind.

"Why do you have to do this now?" I mutter.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. It's just... It's just not fair," Mom says. "Look at you. You're not the same girl you were before, and I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"That Xavier has changed you," she whispers, and my dad looks at her in alarm, urging her to be silent.

I'm surprised he doesn't tell her to shut the fuck up.

"So this is about Xavier again," I state. "You know what? You're right. He's changed me. But not the way you think. I'm not a robot anymore. I'm my own person, and I can make my own decisions. And I'll decide whether I'm safe or not. Not you."

"But Tallulah—" Mom tries, but I cut her off.

"No. No more. We're not doing this. You should go. Now. Take Matilda with you."

"But Tallulah—" she starts, but I shake my head.

"Take her, or I will. Get the fuck out of my house," I growl, my anger building.

"I'm not done talking to you," Dad tries, and I shoot him a death glare.

"You have no fucking say in my life," I hiss.

"This is still my house," he growls.

"No, it isn't," I respond, "not anymore. And it's not mine either. It's his. Xavier Gunn owns every part of me. And if he were here, he'd say the same thing."

---