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“I don’t think this is the bedroom Damon was referring to when he told you to go upstairs.” Xander’s voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
Impulsively, I turn around to face him. His expression is hidden in the shadows, and I wonder what my punishment will be for crossing such a line.
“I…I didn’t know.”
“You ever heard the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’?”
I nod, unable to make my tongue work. My throat is completely closing up, and my pulse beats furiously in my ears.
What’s he going to do?
Will he make Damon punish me? Or will he do it himself?
I want to sob as he takes a step forward, making me flinch and take a retreating step. Instead of coming for me, though, he steps around me and walks to the side of the crib.
I watch his every step. His every movement. I’m compelled to stare at him. I’m under a trance, and I can’t break gaze for a second.
My body shakes as he leans over the side of the crib and takes a baby into his arms. The movement is so mundane, so simple, so gentle—for someone who isn’t him, someone who has a heart and a soul unlike him. I immediately have the urge to grab the baby from him.
To protect the innocent little human from someone as evil and vile as Xander.
Courage pulses through my veins, and I take a step toward him. My intention is to stop him from hurting this baby. However, that thought leaves me when I witness something that can’t be true—even though I know it is because I am seeing it with my own two eyes.
Xander leans down slowly and ghosts his lips over the baby’s forehead. He’s possessive and caring, and he cradles the baby’s head as if he knows what the child needs and how to nurture him. They must have slipped something into my water, because there is no way in hell this can be reality.
“Why do you look so shocked?” he whispers, his voice silky and soft. It’s a strange contrast to his features—since his eyes and face always seem to scream murder and pain.
With trembling lips, I ask, “Is that…? Is that your child?” If this is his child, then what happened to the mother? Why isn’t she at dinner? Is she being held hostage somewhere in this mansion? A thousand thoughts circulate my mind.
When Xander takes a step toward me, I straighten my back, forcing myself to remain standing in place. I know he can sense my fear, taste it probably, but he doesn’t make it known. He just closes the distance between us, bringing the baby closer to me.
In the dim lighting of the room, I can only make out some of the baby’s features, but what I do see answers my question.
Cradled in a blue blanket sleeps a dark-haired baby boy. He’s sleeping so peacefully, I’m afraid breathing will wake him from his happy dreams. Lifting my gaze from the baby to Xander, I realize he’s watching me.
I smile. “He’s beautiful.”
“He is, and he’s the primary reason I brought you and Damon here. His safety is my biggest importance, and just like you would do for your brother, I will do anything and everything to make certain my son is safe.”
I nod, swallowing past the knot in my throat. Xander is a dark and sadistic man, but watching him hold his son, seeing how much he cares for him, proves there is a deeper, caring side to him I didn’t think existed.
He walks back to the crib, kisses his son once more, and places him back down. Then he turns on his heels and heads straight for me. His facial expression is masked, and I’m afraid of what may happen next.
When his hand touches the small of my back, edging me forward, my knees buckle.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Keira. There is no point. I got what I wanted already, and my brother got what he wanted as well.”
“And what is that?” I gulp, afraid to even ask. We slip out into the hall, and I let him guide me.
“You. He wanted you.”
I exhale sharply, realizing Xander has figured us out. He’s realized I am his brother’s weakness.
“No, he doesn’t want me. He just wants to use me.” I stumble over my words, trying my best to make some of them sound believable.
Xander chuckles. “You’re a terrible liar. Terrible.” He shakes his head, stopping in front of a door to our right.
I’m not sure how long we’ve been walking, but I’m terrified to see what is on the other side. When he twists the knob, I squeeze my lids shut.
Xander ushers me forward, and I assume this room is his torture chamber. My legs wobble, thinking about all the pain and suffering I’m about to experience.
