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Giggling, I pull it out and place a kiss on its tip. It’s anatomically accurate in all ways but size. Somehow, the silicone always reduces its length and girth.
“Why did you make it?” I ask.
He raises a shoulder. “You’ve been asking for more than fingers recently. I thought that might satisfy you until you’re ready for me.”
A lump forms in my throat, and my chest constricts, making it hard to breathe. Tears prick at the backs of my eyes, threatening to spill over. Overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, I can’t help but feel unworthy of a man so considerate, so attuned to my needs.
“Xero…”
“Open the others,” he says, his voice gruff.
The next box contains a leather overbust corset he bought from my Wonderland wishlist. It’s black and fitted with laces at the back and steel hooks that fasten around the front.
“It’s gorgeous,” I whisper. “Thank you. I love it.”
“Open the next one,” he prods, his gaze wavering with a hint of vulnerability.
It contains a replica of the collar he gave me before the Ministry of Mayhem. My breath catches at the memory of how I lost the original in the fire, but I hold back from ruining the moment with another apology. Beneath that box is another containing a skirt that matches the corset, and next to that is a pair of red-soled heels.
“This is so extravagant,” I whisper. “Why?”
“My little ghost deserves nothing but the best.” He leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips.
I gaze up into his pale blue eyes, which shimmer with affection. “Thank you seems too weak in the face of such generosity?—”
“What you give me is worth more than money,” he replies.
My brows crease, and my mind dredges up Charlotte’s taunts. She said Xero saw me as a project—a stepping stone to reach Delta. I shove that thought aside. So what if that’s true? We’re exactly what each other needs.
Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “But I don’t give you anything.”
“Watching you grow stronger isn’t just rewarding for me. It gives me hope that I might regain what I’ve lost, too, once we’ve dealt with Dolly and my father.”
My throat thickens, and I swallow back a surge of emotion. “It might take some time, but I think we will.”
Eyes never leaving mine, Xero brings my knuckles to his lips and lavishes each one with soft kisses. “You are my anchor, little ghost. You give me more than you could ever know.”
The raw honesty in his voice makes my heart thud. I take a deep, steadying breath, fighting the overwhelming wave of warmth. Xero always knows how to reach me with his words. His openness is both exhilarating and terrifying. But I’m not an inspiring warrior princess, just a screw-up trying to pick up the pieces.
He steps closer, releasing my hand to cup my cheek. “You deserve something beautiful. Tonight, let’s take a break. I want to show you somewhere special.”
“Are we going on an undercover mission?” I ask, my breath quickening.
He shakes his head. “No, a date.”
SEVENTY-SEVEN
XERO
I planned Amethyst’s outfit to the last detail, knowing the tight leather will hug her curves, making her feel like the kind of woman who would pluck up the courage to write a killer on death row.
She’s been making great progress, both in her combat and interrogation skills. Each time I watch her succeed on camera, I’m overwhelmed with a surge of possessive pride.
This transformation is everything I wanted for Amethyst from the beginning. My only regret is that it’s been forged by pain and abuse. After tonight, I want my little ghost to see herself as my fierce goddess. She needs to acknowledge her burgeoning power, the power that’s blossomed with each act of vengeance.
Amethyst belongs to me—not to Father, not to her psychotic sister, not to any of the people in her past. She’s mine. And tonight, she’ll understand that with every fiber of her delectable body. I’ll show her the version of herself that’s cherished and worthy of being worshiped.
I adjust my suit in the mirror. It’s black and tailored to my physique, paired with an emerald green tie that matches Amethyst’s eyes. In my pocket is something I’ve wanted to give her since I was imprisoned.
