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My eyes fall to my hands, feeling the way the tremors have intensified. God, it's no wonder he can tell I'm scared.
"He-he said to be prepared," I say, my lip trembling, as I pry my eyes away from Xander.
"What! When?" Davina demands as she forces my chin to face her, torment and despair on her face. She knows exactly what that phrase means. Davina isn't asking when Dennis said this to me, but when this horrible event will occur.
"Tomorrow," I say, my voice breaking.
Davina jumps to her feet in horror. "Tomorrow!" she gapes, trauma clear in the rigid muscles of her stature.
"What does that mean?" Xander asks.
I drop my eyes to my lap and watch my hands shake as tears prick at my vision.
"It's his personal warning.Be prepared.He's been using that as long as I've known him. When he says that, it means he's coming for you."
Xander turns white as a ghost, all life and color drain from his face, his eyes haunted with realization.
He knows. He doesn't have a doubt of what his father has planned for me.
"Is that why you've been shaking like this?" he presses, his tone weak and shallow.
"No," I admit, my bottom lip quaking with unshed tears. My voice cracks and crumbles as I struggle to hold the pieces together. No matter how much I want to appear strong for Xander, I can't stop the confession from barreling out of me. "I've been shaking because he assaulted me when no one was paying attention."
I have no clue how Davina reacts because my focus is on Xander. I know it's illogical, but I fear he'll be disgusted by me. Dennis is his father and the man he hates more than anyone else. What if he somehow gets it in his head that I wanted it? I didn't and I never will. The only redeeming qualities Dennis Davenport possesses is his honey-hazel eyes. They're almost exactly like Xander's and Xander is the best thing that could ever come from that monster.
Xander doesn't say a single word. Instead, he moves to the seat Davina had been sitting in and pulls me into his lap, tucking my head under his chin. He holds me close, protection radiating through his skin. I cave and fall into his warmth, almost an attention-starved pet, craving him.
"It's okay, darling," he coos in my ear, his voice dropping an octave. His fingers glide through my curls as I continue shaking in his grasp. "He won't touch you ever again."
"You can't guarantee that," I whimper in defeat, my mind becoming fuzzy from the tears and anxiety. "You can't keep me safe from him. If anything proves that, this should. He's going to rape me and you can't stop him."
If there is one thing his father got right, it's this connection and closeness between me and Xander. We couldn't be more different. The grouch and the girl who whistles show tunes while she does the dishes. Still, our hearts are fractured and the broken fragments of mine mold faultlessly to his.
"She's right, son. The only thing that's going to help anyone right now is getting your father to step down. Unless Laura has a dopplegänger hanging around who wants to switch spots with her."
Iwasrelaxed, calm in Xander's embrace, until Davina said those exact words. My eyes snap open as Xander's arm goes rigid.
In a second, I'm on my feet, panic flashing up and down my spine in waves, heat quickening my racing heart.
"Xander, no," I say when I notice the expression on his face. He's actually considering the joke Davina made.
"Darling—"
"No! I'm not going to expose her to him."
"What are you talking about?" Davina pipes.
I stare at Xander with pleading eyes, my stomach rolling at the possibility of my sister being in the same situation as me.
"She has a twin sister," Xander says before running a hand over his face, exhaustion clear in his expression.
"A twin?"
"You said she’s more equipped to handle this stuff than you,” Xander adds, hope in his eyes.
“It was a fucking joke,” I rage, sneering at him. “We’re talking about my sister. I’d do anything to keep her safe, even dealing with your father on my own.”
“Don’t you think she would do the same?” he returns, his words leaving me gaping like a cuttlefish, a cold sweat breaking across the back of my neck. I never expected him to use that as a comeback. “Did you forget I have a little brother? If I found out he was in danger and he didn’t let me help him in any way I could, I’d be pissed. I’d do anything for my brother. Based on your reaction, you’d do anything for your sister. If she’s able to help with this crappy situation, she deserves to know. I’m not going to force anything on her. If she helps, it will be of her own free will. Either you call her or I’ll track her down myself.”
