“Be a good girl.”
“And if I’m not?”
“Then I’ll punish you.”
I blink at him, half turned on, the other half—the smarter one—apprehensive. “What about the other recruits? What will they do to me?”
“Nothing, if they know what’s good for them. All of the recruits took a vow of celibacy for our senior year, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t try other things with you. Things I’d kill them for. You have to be careful while I’m gone.”
“Xavier,” I whisper.
“Yes, bride?”
“Don’t leave me here alone.”
“You won’t be alone. June is here.”
June. I forgot all about my friend, which makes me a piece-of-shit human. My only consolation is that Xavier is a force of nature, one that destroys you before you have time to protect yourself.
I shake my head, my chest heavy. “She’s hurt and probably traumatized.”
“But not my girl.” He looks at me with pride, stroking my cheek. “I’m going to talk to Declan. He’ll watch over you while I’m gone. With him having his own bride, he’s the least likely to fuck you.”
“Benjamin can do it. Erm, I mean, watch over me, not the other thing.”
“Fuck no,” Xavier says, his tone sharp.
He tightens his hold on my neck to the point of discomfort. I try to pull away, but his grip is too strong, so I glare at him. Xavier only leans closer, his eyes narrowed.
“Never say another man’s name to me inmyfucking bed.”
I swallow, my pulse pounding at the dangerous edge in his voice. “But he’s family.”
“I’m your family now, Delilah. It’s only a matter of time until your name matches mine.”
“You’re fucking crazy. And you need to let go of my neck. You’re hurting me.”
His fingers fall away, and I rub the ache in the column of my throat.
He watches the movement, his eyes darkening. “You have no idea what I want to do to you, do you?”
“No, and I don’t want to know.”
“Liar.”
“I don't know what your problem is, but I’m not letting go of Ben,” I say, desperate to change the subject.
“Your loyalty is one of my favorite things about you, but it’s misplaced. It belongs to me now.”
I roll my eyes. “Get fucked.”
“Careful, little raptor. That’s a very tempting offer.”
I scowl. “Ben?—”
“Enough,” he says. “I don’t trust Benjamin with you.”
My heart jumps, and I suck in a sharp breath. “Why? He’d never hurt me, unlike some people.” I give Xavier a pointed look.
