Page 2 of Make Me Your Hitta

It was Santo’s college graduation party. We were all celebrating when the Toussaint family ambushed us. I could still hear the words that made my spine chill when they fell off Cecil Toussaint’s lips:You know why I’m here. Where the fuck is my son?He wanted me—his son. Cecil Toussaintwas my father.

That night, my father’s men killed Xenobia’s mother for being my mother’s best friend and taking me in for so many years.

They killed Santo while trying to protect his sister.

Once he was gone, they came for Xenobia next.

My Nobi.

I fought off men by the dozen trying to get to them all. I was able to kill Xenobia’s attacker before being captured and taken by the other half of my bloodline I never knew existed.

Fast-forward six years, and I still refused to go by anything other than my mother’s last name, which was given to me at birth. I would never claim the Toussaint bloodline. I’d been working under my father’s regime and pretending to be brainwashed, all along being the mole in my father’s operation by keeping in secret contact with Xenobia’s father. I was the one who warned him that the Toussaint’s were planning to attack and kill his daughter. Somehow, my father had gotten wind of Don’s business arrangements and planned to take out his lastliving heir before moving in on the Hawthorne family’s territory. There was no way I could let that happen. I was more loyal to Xenobia’s family than my own.

My father had been pressing me to oversee a specific part of our territory that would put me close to the Hawthorne mansion. I’d refused thus far, but once I discovered his plan to move in on Xenobia and her family’s territory, I told him I wanted the job. I knew my father would approve because it was what he’d always wanted. All the while, I planned to protect Xenobia, get from underneath my father’s cruel thumb, and be with the family I knew and loved. It was the perfect cover. I knew the move could cost me my life, but I owed it to my mother, my best friend, and the girl I’d secretly given my heart away to all those years ago. Being with her meant committing the ultimate treason, but the guilt of being unable to protect her had been eating away at me for far too long.

Don’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Out. Both of you. Adonis, get to work.”

I stood tall, forcing myself not to look her way as we exited. The study door clicked shut behind us, and I exhaled slowly.Time to focus.

I moved through the mansion like a ghost, cataloging every weak point. French doors in the sunroom—too easy to breach. I’d need to upgrade the locks, cut back the trees on the grounds, and add sensors. The back staircase was a security nightmare. We’d need cameras there, pronto.

My mind raced, planning and plotting. Doing so was easier than thinking about her. About how close she was now, how I could almost feel the heat of her body as we walked the silent corridors. She gave me a dirty look and peeled off, moving down a hallway and out of sight.

I paused at a window, staring out at the sprawling grounds. My reflection stared back, bearded jaw clenched tight. I had tokeep it together. For her safety. For my sanity. But how the fuck was I supposed to do that? To be near her every day, to protect her, when all I wanted was to—

Fuck. No. I can’t go there.Xenobia Hawthorne was off-limits—always had been, always would be.

I squared my shoulders and moved on. I had a job to do, feelings be damned. Xenobia might hate me now, but I’d keep her safe. I’d given myself no other fuckin’ choice.

I headed down the main hallway, mind still racing with security plans, when she ambushed me. Xenobia stepped out from a doorway, blocking my path. My breath caught in my throat.

Fuck, she was gorgeous. And furious.

She wore a white, long-sleeved silk blouse that puffed at the shoulders. Its subtle shimmer and ruffled neckline complemented the high-waisted black skirt that stopped above her knee. It was perfectly tailored, hugging her curves and drawing attention to her slender waist. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her lean shoulders, partly covering the scars on her collarbone.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” she spat, hazelnut brown orbs blazing.

I froze, drinking her in. The scar on her cheek was stark in the dim light, a jagged reminder of how I’d failed her. Her chest heaved with anger, and I forced my gaze back to her face.

“Answer me, Adonis,” she demanded. “Why are you suddenly playing bodyguard after six years?”

I swallowed hard. “Your father asked me to ensure your safety. That’s all.”

She hissed out a bitter laugh that cut me to the bone. “Right. And you just couldn’t say no to Daddy dearest, could you?”

“Nobi—” I started, but she cut me off.

“Save it. I don’t need your protection, and I don’t need you.” Her words were venomous, but I saw the hurt behind them.

I stepped closer, voice low. “This isn’t up for debate. I’m here to keep you safe, whether you like it or not.”

“And if I refuse?” she challenged, chin tilted upward in defiance.

God, I wanted to kiss that defiance off her gorgeous brown face. I wanted to push her against the wall and show her exactly how much I cared about her safety. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

Instead, I met her glare with a steely expression.

“You don’t have a choice in this, Nobi. I’m not going anywhere,” I confirmed before walking away.

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