Page 42 of The Vicious Defender

"My house, my rules," Heath says. "Now take him to his cell. He's dangerous. We can't let him out until he's decided to comply with our terms."

"Daddy," Tallulah says, tears filling her eyes. "No. Don't."

"Shush," Rain says softly, hugging her daughter. "Let them go."

My wife starts to sob as the guards force me downstairs, and her cries haunt me long after I'm shoved into the darkness of my prison.

Chapter Nine

Tallulah

"What the fuck wasthat, Mom?" I hiss, turning on her as the guards take Xavier down to the basement.

"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.

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