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My cheeks heat at his show of affection in front of his employees, and I’m convinced I’ve also just turned the colour of Penelope’s dress.

Heels click rigidly on the paved ground and fade out.

“Bitch,” I mutter and immediately freeze.

Did I really just say that?

Somehow, her being within Xander’s proximity pisses me off. And if those aren’t the telltale signs of jealousy…

Xander pulls back, pulling out a brand-new phone box and extending it in my direction. “This is yours.”

“What?” I hesitantly pull the box from his hands and open it. “Xander, this is too fancy.” I shake my head.

“Fully security protected and untraceable.”

“This is a lot.”

“I know it can feel overwhelming. Just take some deep breaths, okay? I’m here. Jac is here. Ezra and Daniel are here. You’re safe. I promise.”

He entwines his fingers at the back of my neck and kisses my forehead. This feels natural. Maybe more for him than it does for me. The affection, the mini welcome party, the bodyguards. It’s kindness I’m unaccustomed to.

“Are you ready?” he murmurs against me.

I pull in a deep breath and nod. I let him guide me up the marble steps, my less-than-new white trainers not fitting the pristine atmosphere.

Chapter 33

Xander

Ilead Camila through the dark, intimate hallways of the mansion—black walls accented with wooden panelling throughout. The whole time her wide eyes take everything in with my hand on her waist.

She looks adorable.

Get acquainted with your new home, Angel.

Now that she’s under the same roof, I don’t need to worry about when I’ll see her next or if she’s safe. I have my business and my Angel by my side. Things are about to get a whole lot easier for me.

Except for the cat.

I’m going to need to find a separate room for that little shit. Just the sight of him makes my skin tingle with… not fear. It’s not fear. I just don’t want him to scratch me.

I pause in front of the doorway to my bedroom. The feel of her under my arm gets too much, so I press her up against the door, hands caging her in. Resting my forehead in the crook of her neck, I breathe in her sweet scent, not quite believing she’s here. With me.

“I need you to know,” my voice trembles. “There really is no going back after you step in here.”

Not that there ever was, anyway.

She tangles her fingers into the top of my hair, pulling me to look at her. She blows out a shaky breath, her eyes casting down towards the floor.

When she looks up again, I almost drop to my knees at her words.

“I don’t think I want out, Xander.”

My body slumps, head dropping forward, and it feels like a weight lifts all the way off me. Every reassuring word out of her lips is like music to my ears.

I grab her face in my hands, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. A smile touches her face, but I can see the hint of hesitation.

“I promise I will never give you a reason not to trust me,” I vow.