Page 36 of Make Me Your Hitta

Titus burst in, his eyes wild, chest heaving. “We got ’em, boss,” he panted. “The mole. Caught the mothafucka trying to sneak out through the service entrance.”

My heart raced, a mix of relief and adrenaline flooding my system. “Where?” I demanded.

“Chained up in the cellar,” Titus replied, a grim smile playing on his lips. “Thought you’d want the first crack at ’em.”

I nodded, my mind already shifting gears. “Good work,” I said, patting Titus on the shoulder as I moved past him.

Xenobia’s hand caught my arm. “Adonis,” she whispered, her eyes wide with concern.

I cupped her face, pressing a quick, hard kiss to her lips. “I’ll be back,” I murmured against her mouth.

As I strode down the hallway, my steps echoing off the marble floors, I felt the familiar icy calm settle over me. This was what I was made for—the hunt, the interrogation, the protection of what was mine. The cellar stairs loomed before me, dark and foreboding. With each downward step, the air grew colder anddamper. The scent of fear and desperation hung heavy in the air. My hand ghosted over the gun at my hip, a comforting weight. Whoever waited for me, I was ready. I had to be. For Xenobia, the family, and everything I’d sworn to protect.

The final step creaked under my foot, and I paused, listening to the ragged breathing from the shadows ahead. My jaw clenched, anticipation coiling in my gut like a viper ready to strike.

“Time to talk,” I growled into the darkness, my voice low and dangerous. “And you better start praying to whatever God you believe in that I like what I fuckin’ hear.”

Xenobia

My stomach flip-flopped with a nervous determination as I approached my father’s office, hand trembling as it hovered over the doorknob. The polished brass gleamed dully in the low light, revealing my reflection and mocking my hesitation. My heart hammered against my ribs like it was trying to break free. I sucked in a shaky breath, bracing myself.

“Get it together, Xenobia,” I muttered. “You’ve faced down killers. You can face your own father.”

But this was different in many ways. It wasn’t about survival. It was about love. About Adonis and his unborn baby growing inside me. About defying everything I’d been raised to believe. I twisted the knob and pushed the door open before I could change my mind. The hinges creaked ominously as I stepped inside.

His office was shrouded in shadows, lit only by a single desk lamp. The dim glow caught on the edges of antique furniture and glinted off the barrel of the gun that rested on his desk.And there sat Don Vincent Hawthorne—one of the most feared men in New York, who just so happened to be my father. His massive oak desk dwarfed him, yet he filled the room with his presence.Power and danger radiated from him in obvious waves. I suppressed a shiver.What am I doing?

But then I pictured Adonis’s handsome face, those big brown eyes, that cocaine-white smile. He looked at me like I was the most priceless thing in the world. The safety I felt in his arms. I aligned my shoulders and raised my chin assertively. I was Xenobia—fucking—Hawthorne. I’d survived numerous assassination attempts. I’d clawed my way out of the rubble of my old life. And I would fight for this love and our baby with everything I had. I didn’t want to hide it anymore.

“Daddy,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “We need to talk.”

I approached his desk, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor. Each step felt like I was walking to my own execution, but I kept my gaze locked on his. No weakness. Not now.

“My beautiful Xenobia,” he acknowledged, his voice a low rumble. He set down his pen and leaned back in his leather chair, giving me his full attention. “What’s on your mind?” he inquired, his tone calm but laced with curiosity as his dark eyes scrutinized me.

I swallowed hard.Fuck, why is this so difficult?I’d rehearsed the words a thousand times in my head, but now that it was time for them to come out, they all seemed to stick in my throat.

“I, uh…”Real smooth, Xenobia.I cleared my throat and tried again. “I wanted to discuss something important with you.”

His thick eyebrow arched slightly. “Important enough to interrupt my work?”

I nodded, hoping he couldn’t see how my hands were shaking. “Yes. It’s about… my future.”

He gestured for me to continue, his expression unreadable, almost statue-like. “I’m listening.”

“I’ve made a decision,” I said, my voice growing stronger with each word. “About who I want to be with—who I love.”

“Oh?” he asked, his gaze narrowing to a slit.

I felt an unnerving chill run down my spine. But I plowed on, my heart racing.This is it—the moment of truth.I took a deep breath, steadying my shaky legs. “First, I want you to know how grateful I am for everything you’ve done to protect me, Daddy. The security, the sacrifices… I know this hasn’t been easy for you.”

His expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained sharp. “Your safety has always been my priority, Xenobia. You know this.”

I nodded as my throat tightened. “I do. And that’s why… I need to talk to you about Adonis.” I saw my father’s jaw clench when his name left my lips.Shit.I rushed on, trying to get the words out before he could interrupt. “He’s been more than just a bodyguard to me. He’s become… important. Very important.”

There was a heavy, deafening silence for a second as my father’s expression shifted from shock to scrutiny. He leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. “Important how, exactly?” His voice was low, dangerous. “What are your intentions with Adonis, Xenobia?”

My heart hammered against my ribs as I opened my mouth to answer, but his hardened gaze pinned me in place, searching for something in my eyes. I felt naked, exposed like he could see right through me, right to the core of my feelings for Adonis. What if he forbade it? What if he sent Adonis away or, worse, had him killed? The thought made my chest ache. But I had to be honest. I owed him that much, at least. I took a deep breath. The scars on my skin seemed to burn, reminding me of everything I’d survived—everything Adonis had protected me from.

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