Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Now, I’m restless and bored, and after Antonio finally agrees to take me to the gardens, I’m grateful to be away from the confines of my room. Those decorative bars on the window may be pretty, but really, they’re just another reminder of my captivity.
Once we’re in the gardens, I explore the flower beds and run my fingers over the blades of grass drying in the direct sunlight. I can’t imagine what it costs to keep this place looking green and healthy. It’s so hot here.
“Let’s do something fun,” I suggest to Antonio, who seems to be fighting the urge to roll his eyes.
“Like what?” he grinds out. “Get another guard killed?”
I laugh out loud. I knew he wouldn’t forget about that so easily, and it seems Xavier’s not the only one who’s noticed the mean streak running through me.
“You’re still holding that against me?”
“You’re the reason the man died, Tallulah. It’s kind of hard not to.”
“Xavier would’ve killed him anyway,” I respond, but from Antonio shaking his head, I can tell he isn’t as sure about that as I am.
“Anyway,” I interrupt his train of thoughts. “I want to do something fun. You want to play hide and seek?”
“No,” he growls. “Absolutely not. I’m not allowed to let you out of my sight. Are you trying to get me killed?”
“No,” I answer innocently. “Definitely not. How about a little play fight then?”
“A play fight?” Antonio laughs out loud. “I don’t think that would be fair. I don’t pick on little girls.”
“Come on,” I grin. “It’ll be fun. Don’t you want to see if you can beat me?”
“No,” he grunts, narrowing his eyes at me.
“I do. So... why don’t you catch me first?”
With those words, I take off running, making Antonio curse out loud as he falls into step behind me. I run as fast as I can, laughing happily as he chases behind me. The blades of grass cut my feet, which are bare and getting stained by dirt, but I don’t care. My heart and veins are pounding with adrenaline because I know I’m going to win this fight.
Finally, I reach the edge of the cliff the mansion is built on. Antonio slams into me from behind and pulls me back while I laugh. He’s still cursing, and we come face to face as he spins me around, his expression a contorted mess of angry emotions.
“I’m faster than you,” I giggle, but Antonio’s gaze only grows more troubled. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re trying to get me in trouble.”
“No, I’m not,” I lie smoothly, even though he’s absolutely right. I’ve been toying with him like a cat with a mouse, wondering how far I have to push him until he breaks his composure. But we both know the moment that happens, Xavier’s going to kill him just like he did the other guard. Maybe, deep down, I’m hoping that will happen.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Tallulah,” Antonio gets out as I laugh and take a few steps back from the cliff’s edge. “You’re going to get hurt if you keep doing this.”
“I don’t think so,” I reply slyly. “Xavier loves me too much to hurt me. So, about that play fight...”
Before he has the chance to react, I’ve reached for the gun holster at his waist. He tries to stop me, but I’m too nimble for him, and I pull the gun away from him, playfully aiming the barrel at his crestfallen face.
“Come and get it,” I tell him, and he lunges forward. But I dodge him right away, and as he struggles to get control of me, I keep slipping away, laughing as he misses every chance to stop me. “You’re too slow!”
“Tallulah,” he grinds out. “Give me that gun right now!”
I take a few more steps back and aim the gun at him while he glares at me.
“I’m not fucking joking,” he growls. “Give me the goddamn gun.”
“No,” I laugh. “Take it away from me.”
He tries again, but is too slow. It’s all a fun game for me, and I’m enjoying toying with him, even though I know he probably hates it. This may all be just a game to me, but it’s his life at stake. If Xavier witnessed this, his punishment would be swift and severe. But I don’t care about that, just like I don’t care about Antonio.
Not unlike me, he’s just another pawn in the game Xavier and I are playing.
“I’m faster than you,” I remind him with a wide smile.
“It’s just beginner’s luck,” he finally mutters before narrowing his eyes at me suspiciously. “Isn’t it?”
“Of course,” I reply with a sweet smile. “What else could it possibly be?”
“I don’t know,” he replies, the suspicion still clear in his eyes. “I think you might be lying to me.”
“Why would I lie?” I spin around with the gun carelessly, and Antonio lunges for me, trying to grab it out of my reach. I’m too fast, too well-trained for him to stop me. This is what I’ve been preparing my whole life for, after all. “I have no reason to fool you, Antonio. I’m just an innocent little girl...”