Page 3 of Make Me Your Hitta

“Fuck you, Adonis. We aren’t done here.”

I halted my step. “Yes, Xenobia. We are. Go do something with yourself, and stay out of my way. I have shit to do.”

I kept walking that time, forcing my mind back to the task at hand. There was no way I could let her see how she affected me. How every glance, every word, set my blood on fire.

“Garcia,” I barked into my comm. “Status on the new cameras?”

“Almost done, boss,” he answered through a crackled reply. “Just finishing up in the east wing.”

I tilted my chin in a nod, although he couldn’t see me. “Good. I want eyes on every entrance and exit. I don’t want any blind spots.”

Fire coursed through my legs as I strode through the mansion and away from her, continuing to catalog every weak point. The place was a fortress with floor-to-ceiling windows, brick masonry, and handcrafted architecture, but even fortresses had cracks. And I’d be damned if I let anyone slip through on my watch. But as I worked, thoughts of Xenobia kept creeping in—the way her eyes flashed with flames when shewas angry or how her lips curved when she used to smile at me before everything went to shit.

“Focus, mothafucka,” I muttered, shaking my head.

I couldn’t afford to get distracted. Not when her life was on the line. Not when every shadow could hide a threat or expose my secret. But, fuck. It was hard to keep my head straight with her so close.

As I turned a corner, my eyes caught her through an open door. She was curled up in a window seat, reading a book, but I could see the tension in her face. For a moment, she looked like the girl I used to know before the scars and the bitterness.

My chest ached. I wanted to go to her, to bridge the invisible gap between us. But my legs wouldn’t move. I was there to protect her, nothing more. No matter how much I longed for something I knew I could never have.

And yet, I stood there like a simp, drinking her in. The sunlight caught her long, wavy hair, showing the strong dark brown luster. Her fingers absently traced the jagged, raised scar on her cheek, and I felt a surge of rage at the mothafuckas who’d hurt her.

Suddenly, I was thrown back to that carefree summer day years ago, celebrating Santo’s college graduation. He, Nobi, and I were lounging by the pool, laughing and splashing. Xenobia’s brown eyes sparkled as she dunked me, her touch electric on my skin. I’d known then, with a gut-wrenching certainty, that I was in love with her. And that I could never tell a soul.

“Fuck,” I whispered, dragging myself back to the present.

My fists were clenched so tight my knuckles ached. I forced myself to breathe, to push down the memories and the want that threatened to choke me. Xenobia must’ve sensed my presence. She looked up, her eyes locking with mine. For a split second, I saw a flicker of the old warmth. Then her icy walls slammed back into place, her gaze turning to frost.

“What the hell do you want?” she snapped.

I swallowed hard. “Just checking the perimeter. Don’t mind me.”

She rolled her eyes, turning back to her book. But I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers trembled slightly as she turned to the next page. I wanted to go to her, to pull her into my arms and promise that nothing would ever hurt her again. But I couldn’t. I was her brother’s best friend and her bodyguard. Nothing more.

So I did the only thing a real nigga could do in my situation. I walked away, burying my heart deeper with every step. I forced myself to focus on the mission, methodically checking each window and door. The mansion’s shadows seemed to deepen as I moved, every creak and groan setting my nerves on edge. The place had always given me the creeps, but now it felt like a tomb.

As I rounded a corner, I nearly collided with Xenobia. She stumbled back, her hand flying to her throat in shock. We stared at each other for a moment, the air crackling with unspoken words.

“Jesus, Adonis,” she hissed. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? As big as this damn house is, I still can’t manage to get the fuck away from you, can I?”

I couldn’t help but notice how close we were, her scent washing over me.Fuck, she still uses that same vanilla and peach nectar-scented perfume.

“Sorry,” I managed, my voice rougher than I intended. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Xenobia’s eyes narrowed. “What are you really doing here, Donny? Playing the dutiful guard dog for Daddy? You should’ve just stayed away. I don’t fucking want you here.”

Her words stung, but I kept my face neutral. “Just doing my job. Somebody’s gotta keep you safe while he’s away on business.”

She laughed. It was a sharp, bitter sound that sliced through me. “Safe? In this house? That’s rich. I have bodyguards out the ass. I don’t need another one, especially not you.”

I stepped closer, unable to help myself. “Xenobia, I—”

“Don’t,” she cut me off, her voice low and dangerous. “Don’t pretend you care when we both know you don’t.”

My heart pounded as I stared into her eyes, seeing the hurt and anger swirling there. I wanted to tell her everything. But I couldn’t. Not now. Maybe not ever.

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my cool. “Look, I get it. You’re pissed. But this ain’t about what you want or what I want. It’s about keeping you alive. I tried to say no, Nobi, but he didn’t give me a fuckin’ choice.”

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