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He just fucking started a war, and won the first battle.
And now, my men are all dead. There are no survivors. The only ones who got out besides Tallulah and me are Saul and the dogs. Even our driver and pilot were killed after they got us to the Palacio.
Xander doesn't care about casualties. He has no limits. I can't let him win. He must pay for his actions.
And yet, the idea of killing my own brother makes my heart hurt. What's left of it, anyway.
I toss and turn in bed, unable to find peace. The next day, when the sun is peeking out from behind the mountains, I make my way to the main house. It's time to speak with Heath.
"Xavier," he greets me. "How was your sleep?"
"Poor," I tell him honestly. "Can we get this over with?"
"Let's go to the dining room. Breakfast is being served."
We walk through the long hallways and into a large dining room with a table fit for fifty people. But the only ones sitting there are Heath's wife, Rain, and their younger daughter, Mathilda. The younger girl immediately tenses when I enter the room. She's always been afraid of me.
"Good morning," Rain greets us, getting up to kiss her husband on the cheek. All I get is a death glare. I'm not surprised.
"Morning, sunshine," Heath says. "Is Tallulah still asleep?"
Rain nods. "I checked on her. Those damn dogs are in the bed with her, and they destroyed a pillow. There's feathers everywhere."
I smirk, and she turns to me with a nasty look.
"Something funny?"
"It's pretty hilarious seeing you two interact," I say, sauntering over to a chair and filling my plate to the brim. Mathilda watches me quietly, and I ignore her. "I guess some things are meant to be. Like me and your daughter."
"That remains to be seen," Heath tells me. "For now, you're on my property, and you're at my mercy. Do as I say, and you might just survive."
"Why do you think Xander wants to kill me so badly?" I ask him, leaning back and popping a strawberry into my mouth. "It's because he's afraid, you know. Of the great Xavier."
"He's not afraid of you," Heath scoffs.
"Then he's a fool. I have connections, knowledge, and experience. And the only thing he has is an ego."
"We all have our downfalls," Rain comments. "Don't get too confident, Xavier."
"You'd know," I smirk. "I know the only reason Xander hasn't killed you yet is because you're family. Otherwise, he'd have disposed of you ages ago."
Rain's smile turns icy. "Watch it."
"Leave my mom alone," Mathilda pipes up, glaring at me.
"Mathilda, eat," Heath orders her.
"I'm not hungry," she argues, standing up.
"You will sit, eat, and shut up."
Mathilda hesitates, and finally, her shoulders slump. She sits back down and picks up a slice of toast, not eating it.
"You have no authority here," Heath reminds me. "Not anymore. So don't try to rile us up."
"Or what? You'll throw me out?"
"Yes," he confirms.
