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“You don’t have to be afraid of me anymore. Yes, I am very much the monster you assume I am, but you’re my brother’s property now, and I will respect that. He has something he cares for greatly, just as do I. We’re even now.”
I open my eyes and realize I’m not being led into a killing room. I’m standing in a huge bedroom with a four-poster king-size bed.
“What happened to his mother? Did you…? Did you kill her?” I scurry away from Xander, wanting to put as much distance between us as I can. The rest of the lights in the room flicker on with my movement, and now I can see Xander’s entire body.
He slides his hands into his front pockets and gives me a somber look. He appears more like a laidback businessman, and less like an unhinged murderer.
“Yes, but not because of you what you’re thinking. She betrayed me. She planned on using our son against me, and I just couldn’t allow that to happen.”
I blink, trying to understand what he’s saying. I can’t wrap my head around everything I’ve learned tonight—and I can’t wait to tell Damon all about it.
When he removes his hands from his pockets and takes a step toward me, I put a hand out to stop him. He smiles, returning to his normal self.
“Loyalty means everything to me, Keira, and even though my relationship with my brother has been turbulent over the years…my brother is still my brother. He is blood, and I will kill anyone who hurts him, including you. Do you understand me?”
I lick my lips. “I would never hurt your brother.” I try to decide whether I want to tell him how much Damon means to me—how much he makes my heart sing and my body shudder.
“I love him. I love him with my entire being. Hurting him isn’t something I’m ever going to do.”
Xander smiles. “I know you won’t hurt him, and I know you love him. I may not be as emotional as my brother, I may not show feelings at all sometimes, but I can tell you love him…simply by showing up here with him. People who love someone do things for others they may not like to do, and you clearly do for him things you may not enjoy.”
“I do. I came for him—partly because I knew he needed me here, and partly because I knew you’d kill me if I didn’t.”
He rolls his eyes, and the look is so unnatural, I almost laugh.
Who the hell is this man?
“Dramatic much?” he scoffs. “I need an actual reason to kill you. Simply not accepting an invitation to dinner isn’t one. Though…not accepting would have sped up the process of me coming back to get you—to push Damon’s hand where I wanted it.”
Chess. This is all a game of chess, and I suppose Xander has everything lined up, ready to steal whatever it is he wants most. He controls the entire board now.
“I’m going to go back downstairs and enjoy the rest of the night with my family. You’ll be a good girl and wait up here for my brother, right? Naked and on all fours, I think he said.” He winks and turns to leave.
I blush, realizing he heard what Damon said. Then again, everyone did, I suppose. It wasn’t like he was quiet when he dismissed me.
“Oh, and one more thing.” His eyes pierce mine, the dark orbs promising pain and misery. “Don’t tell Damon about my son. He has his weakness, and I have mine, but my son is an innocent in this war—and I want him to remain hidden for as long as possible. I’m trusting you to keep this between us, Keira.”
“Yes, I promise.” I can’t believe we are actually agreeing on something. I don’t care that Xander might be a monster. That baby is an innocent in this world, and the less people who know about his existence, the better.
“Thank you.” He smiles one last time before slipping out the door.
I rush to the bed and lay on it. Xander just said thank you. Though that’s not the most shocking revelation to take place this evening. Finding out I won’t be going anywhere in a body bag any time soon takes the cake.
I sit at the edge of the bed in my dress, counting down the seconds until Damon comes back. Seconds turn to hours, and eventually, my eyes grow heavy. I slump against the silky sheets, burrowing into them.
I tell myself I’ll only sleep for a short time, but as soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m out, my dreams carrying me to a faraway land.
Chapter 18
Damon
I’m not sure how much I’ve had to drink, but by the time I stand, I’m well aware of the effect of the alcohol. I’m not wasted, but I’m definitely tipsy. I make my way to the patio overlooking the garden.
