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"Because you're the same as him."
"Please, Liberato." I wringmy hands together. "Just once. Let me go see him. He's my husband, for fuck's sake."
"Your father's orders were very clear," Liberato sighs.
"But I'm not a prisoner," I point out. "So his orders don't apply to me."
"I beg to differ."
"Please, Lib," I repeat. "Let me just have a few minutes with him."
"He's a danger to us all, Tallulah. Especially to you. I can't risk that," he shakes his head.
I stand up from the sofa and motion for the dogs to join me. Zeus and Hades leap over to me, licking my hands. "I'll tell the dogs to attack."
"Those pups?" he laughs out loud. "You're not serious, are you, T?"
"Watch me."
I whistle, and they sit, alert, their bodies tense. I turn them toward Liberato.
"Deny me and die," I tell him. "Attack!"
The dogs jump up and start barking, their jaws snapping at his face.
"Okay, okay," Liberato says, backing away, his hands held high. "Stop."
"Come here, boys," I laugh and they return to me. "See? That's all it takes."
"Jesus Christ," he mutters, shaking his head. "Your husband's rubbed off on you, that's for sure."
"Just take me down there," I plead.
"Fine," he sighs. "But stay close."
"No," I tell him.
"No?" he frowns.
"You're not coming with. I want to talk to him alone."
"Tallulah, please," he sighs. "You have a death wish, don't you?"
"Just do it, Lib," I tell him, and he leads the way. We walk through the large compound and go down to the basement, where Xavier is being kept.
"You have fifteen minutes," he tells me, and I nod. He opens the door and lets me in. "Remember. Fifteen minutes. Don't be late."
"I won't."
He gives me one last look before passing me a keychain. "Down the hallway. Ignore the others."
I nod and pocket the keys, watching him walk away. The door locks as he leaves, and I take a deep breath to center myself before continuing down the damp, cold hallway. I shiver, goosebumps erupting all over my skin. Damn, it's freezing. I wish I'd brought a blanket for Xavier. It's almost like my parents keep it so cold on purpose, to torture their prisoners.
"Xavier?" I call out as I make my way down the hallway.
I hear noises up ahead, and soon enough, I start seeing the cells. There's a man inside one, banging on the bars and calling out, and then another, but it's not until I get closer that I realize he's watching me. Just as I'm about to walk by, the man darts to the bars, dirty palms gripping the iron as he reaches out for me.
"Come here," he growls. "Pretty little thing. Come here."
