Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Xavier's fists tighten until his knuckles turn white. I know he's not terribly excited about staying with my father, but he also said he didn't want to hide.
"Alright," Xavier decides. "Tell the pilot to go there."
"You're not seriously considering this?" Saul hisses, lowering his voice so only Xavier and I can hear him.
Xavier sighs and leans back, rubbing his temple. "Do you have a better idea?"
"There's still a lot of money in offshore accounts, we can disappear and no one will ever find us," Saul reminds him.
"Except Xander clearly won't stop until we're all dead," I add. "And we got close tonight."
"Exactly," Xavier says. "I'm not taking my chances."
"So, what do you suggest?" Saul asks.
"First, we go to the Palacio. We'll talk to your father, Tallulah. Maybe he can help us get out of the country."
"He's going to ask a lot in return," Saul reminds him.
"Then, we'll give him whatever he wants. But first, we go there. You have a better idea, Saul?"
"No," Saul admits, looking out of the window. "I can't see what's waiting for us. That's the problem."
"Well, that's why I'm the boss, and you're the henchman," Xavier snaps.
The words hang between us, and Saul turns away.
"Saul," Xavier says.
"Let him be," I cut in, placing my hand on his arm.
"I didn't mean it," he mutters.
"I know."
The rest of the flight is spent in silence, and I hold Hades' paws as he sleeps. I don't know if I'm meant to be calming him down, but it helps me too.
I don't know what will happen when we land, but I can only hope my father will help us.
"Approaching the Palacio," the pilot says after a while, and my heart speeds up.
"Good," Xavier replies.
I hold onto Hades tightly, and the dog wakes up and licks my face, whimpering. "Hey, boy," I murmur, stroking him. "Welcome home."
Chapter Eight
Xavier
When we arrive at the Palacio, I'm greeted with open arms. Heath's men are all around the house, and my nephew is sitting in a chair on the patio, a cigar in his mouth.
"Welcome, welcome," Heath says.
"Hello," I greet him, Tallulah by my side.
He stands and walks over to us, hugging his daughter tightly. She returns the embrace and I can't help the jealousy that surges through me.
"Xander attacked the mansion. He destroyed everything," Tallulah cuts in.
"I'm not surprised," Heath says. "I'm sorry I couldn't send more help."
"Your men did all they could," I tell him. "But Xander was... efficient this time."
"Come on, come inside," Heath says, motioning for the large double doors.
We walk inside and a maid immediately appears with refreshments. I accept a cup of tea, while Tallulah chooses water.
"Where's Mom?" she asks as a maid fusses over her. "And Mathilda?"
"Your sister is not here," Heath mutters. "And your mother is asleep. I'll fill her in later. Are those dogs always this annoying?"
I glance behind my back where Zeus and Hades are play fighting.
"Not usually," Tallulah smiles.
"You'll have to train them better."
"They are perfectly trained, actually," I cut in.
"Sure," my nephew mocks me. "Now. Since you're staying under my roof, I expect you to follow my rules."
"We're not staying here," I hiss, and he narrows his eyes at me.
"Way to be grateful, Uncle. Doesn't seem like you have a lot of options to me."
"I'd rather die than accept your pity," I mutter.
"Be my guest," Heath says. "You either follow my rules, or I throw you to the wolves."
"Fine. What do you want?"
"Information," he states. "I need to know everything you have on Xander."
"I don't have much," I tell him.
"We can discuss that tomorrow. You're going to help me find the bastard."
"What are you planning to do once you find him?" Tallulah asks.
"He must pay," Heath replies simply.
"We can't kill him," she protests. "He's my brother in law. And I know the mother of his children, Ivette. We were close."
I don't respond. I don't want to think about any of that.
I pick myself up. "We're going to sleep. Where are our rooms?"
Heath chuckles. "If you think you're sleeping with my daughter in my house, you're sorely wrong. You'll have separate rooms. Tallulah gets her childhood bedroom and you can stay in the guest house."
"In case you're forgetting," I seethe. "Your daughter is my wife, and she will not sleep anywhere without me."
"She's my daughter first," Heath reminds me.
"Stop it, both of you," Tallulah cuts in. She glares at her father. "Xavier is right. We'll share a room, and if you don't like it, that's not my problem."
I can't help but smirk. "You heard her, little boy."
Heath shakes his head. "No. This isn't how it works. You follow my rules, or I throw Xavier right out. It would take one call and Xander would be here, ready to pick him up."
"Dad!" Tallulah gasps.
"I'll let you two decide what's more important. You, or him," he adds, looking at me.