I frown at him. “Xavier…”
“He wants what’s mine. Until he finally comes to terms with the fact that it’s never going to happen, he’s going to be difficult to be around. Regardless, he’s the best person to protect you while I’m gone. Second to me, McKenzie loves you most in this world, little raptor.”
I stare up at him, unable to find the right words to say.
“I’ll talk to him before I leave, so the two of you can go together,” he says. “Now, come here.”
Xavier grips my waist and backs me up until my spine hits the bookshelf. He leans down and captures my mouth with his, the kiss brief but no less demanding than usual. I return the kiss with wild abandon, pouring my feelings into every caress.
When he pulls away, I blink, a bit dazed. He runs his knuckles over my cheek, his gaze bright with desire. And tender emotion.
“Don’t kiss me like it’s goodbye.”
“How should I kiss you then?”
Using the arm around my waist, he presses our bodies together even more, and then slides his free hand into my hair. He tugs at the strands, forcing my gaze to stay on his.
“Kiss me like it’s forever.”
He kisses me again, but this time it’s soft and gentle, seductive in a way that has me melting into him, molding my body to his. He deepens the kiss, his tongue sliding along mine, tasting. Memorizing. Savoring.
When he ends it, I let out a little sound of protest that has him smiling. He strokes my bottom lip, his expression turning thoughtful.
“If I don’t go now, I won’t leave at all.” Even as he says this, he makes no move to go.
“Be careful,” I whisper. “Please come back to me.”
He nods, his expression solemn. “Always.”
I swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. “Always.”
“Tibi semper sum,Delilah.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m yours forever.”
With that, he’s gone.
Chapter 36
XAVIER
Isit in the dimly lit conference room located in one of the many houses owned and utilized by the Donovan empire. The air around me is thick with the anticipation of the impending mission, and I rub my hands on my thighs, trying to relieve my need for a weapon. The table before me is strewn with maps, digital blueprints of the warehouse, and a tablet displaying the surveillance devices my team and I will be planting.
“Hey, cousin.”
I nod at Liam Donovan, who’s followed by my other cousin, Marcus. They’re both formidable crows, the best our family has to offer. Marcus stands a few inches taller than me, with a broad, muscular build and a scar that runs down the side of his face, a souvenir from one of his Trials. Liam, lean and agile, with sharp, hawkish features, is known for his precision and lack of mercy in completing any given task.
Other than me and my father, they are the most ruthless men to carry the Donovan name.
“Hey there,recruit,” Marcus says, hitting me in the shoulder.
“Hey there, cocksucker.” I punch him in the dick, smiling when he curses at me. “I hope your reaction time is better than that, or you’re going to get us all killed.”
Marcus flips me off and shuffles to the nearest chair, wincing as he sits down. Liam occupies another seat next to him, his expression amused as his gaze flits between the two of us.
“Okay, enough bullshit.” I thread my fingers and place them on the table, leaning forward. “This isn’t just any summons. It deals with another founding family. The Gages have been stealing weapons from us. Whether that’s to protect their narcotics or to bolster their crows is unknown and irrelevant.”
