Page 3 of The Vicious Defender

"Open it."

"Oh, my goodness," I breathe.

My hands are trembling.

"Come, open it," he prompts me again.

I pick the small velvet box and cradle it in my palms, smiling nervously.

"Go ahead," Xavier encourages me.

My fingers shake as I unwrap the box. Inside, a beautiful pendant hangs off a white gold chain. I pick it up, inspecting it under the light. The dark wine-colored liquid inside sparkles as it catches the light.

"It's gorgeous," I say honestly. "What is it?"

"A hollowed out diamond," Xavier admits. "They told me I was insane for ruining it. I don't give a fuck, though."

I smile with trepidation as I angle the pendant in front of the light. "What's inside?"

He grips my hand, the pendant digging into my palm. I look up at him, heart threatening to beat right out of my chest. "It's my promise to you, that I am yours."

I gasp softly. "It's your blood, isn't it?"

Xavier smirks. "You probably think I'm a fucked up, sick bastard."

"I knew that before," I giggle, handing him the necklace. "Thank you for my beautiful gift. Will you put it on for me?"

He nods, taking the chain and fastening it around my neck. He presses a soft kiss to the side of my throat. "It looks amazing on you, Tallulah. Thank you."

I lean in for a soft, gentle kiss, and I'm so grateful he can't see the tears forming in the corners of my eyes. I'm a terrible person. How can I lie to him about this?

The waiter brings us the menu and a bottle of wine, and we order.

I can feel Xavier's inquisitive gaze on me as the food arrives. He's checking on everything. How much I'm eating, drinking. How much my hands tremble when I reach for the glass, and how the cutlery clanking makes me wince every time.

The food is delicious, but I barely taste it. Everything has a bitter taste.

When I push my plate away with barely held back disgust, Xavier reaches for my hands. I half-heartedly pull away, and he gets up from the table, kneeling before my chair while I stare at my hands folded in my lap.

"Tallulah, what's wrong?" he asks, his voice soft and comforting.

"Nothing."

"That's a fucking lie."

I take a deep breath.

"Angel, tell me," he prompts again. "I can't help if you don't."

"You can't help, Xavier," I snap. "Don't even bother."

He stares at me, confused. "Please, tell me."

"It's stupid."

"I'm sure it's not."

"It is."

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