Page 26 of Xavier

I had to bite back a growl when Antonio Miles grinned at my woman. “Sweetheart, the very last person you need to worry about is me. I promise you I am fully aware of everything and will take all necessary precautions.”

Tillie seemed to consider Antonio for a long moment. I expected she’d ask why he wanted her land but when she spoke, that’s not what she said. “I paid cash for the place, so the guy who sold it to me came down on the price so I could afford it. I don’t think it’s right for me to ask for the market value when I didn’t pay that for it. I mean, you’re doing me a favor. Not the other way around.”

“There’s where you’re wrong.” Antonio sat in a chair on the other side of Knuckles’ desk and spoke to Tillie. He wasn’t mean. In fact, he seemed amused. Not in an obnoxious way or anything, but like he found it cute Tillie was concerned she was ripping him off. “I can’t get into specifics, but by purchasing your farm from you without an agent, and since I’d have control over your end of the paperwork as well as my own, I have a unique opportunity to obtain a property with the most prolific narcotic highway in the country. The one maintained road that’s not on a map. I can control the paper trail and everything official in the sale, then I’ll be in a better position to control the flow of narcotics from Mexico all the way to the Great Lakes.”

Tillie groaned. “Why did you tell me that? Now I know!”

“You do?” Antonio’s amusement was really grating on my nerves. I hated the guy on principle because he was rich, good-looking, and could give Tillie everything I couldn’t. I never thought I was insecure, but it seemed like I was finding out more about myself than I ever cared to know. “What exactly do you know?”

“I don’t know! Just…” Tillie took a deep breath and closed her eyes before exhaling and flashing Antonio a bright smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Relax, Tillie. I’m a hardass and I’m not a good person, but I don’t threaten or intimidate women for any reason. You’re here with Xavier and Knuckles.” He indicated our joined hands and the property cut Knuckles had tossed to me while Antonio spoke to Tillie. “You’re Xavier’s woman, so you know no one here is completely legit and they do things sometimes not accepted in polite society.”

“Don’t we all.” God, Tillie’s musical laughter warmed my soul in ways I never thought possible. “Honestly, I don’t care. But I don’t want you mad at me if something goes wrong.”

“Absolutely not!”

“No fuckin’ way.”

“Ms. St. Martin, I can assure you something like that will never happen.” Antonio looked genuinely incensed. “I never do anything without all the information available and, honestly, I’d suspect just about anyone here before I’d suspect you.”

“What? You don’t know me. How can you say that?”

“Honey, I’m the one who got Xavier out of prison on a moment’s notice. Knuckles and his club work for me. I take care of my own. So when I got the call, I looked into you. You wouldn’t betray me. It’s just not who you are.”

“You got Xavier out of prison?”

“Yes. He went in because of me in the first place. I don’t send my people in someplace without making sure I can get them out quickly. Sure, it still took a few hours, but I put the extraction plan in motion the second I got off the phone with Knuckles.”

“Then, acceptable risk and a backup?”

“See? You understand. I’m a predator, Tillie. Make no mistake. But I don’t hurt my family for my own gain. I expect their loyalty, but I give them mine in return.”

“You know what? Who am I to judge? My life looked ideal, but it was a nightmare. Every single person in my life failed me in more ways than I thought possible. Xavier was the only person to help me. Whatever you guys do, I don’t care. I’m pretty sure you’re better people than anyone else I know.”

“Thank you, Tillie.” Antonio sat back in his chair. “In my research, I also found the amount you paid for your property. I’m telling you that so you’ll know I am fully aware of what you have in the place. I’ll have my lawyer draw up the necessary paperwork for you to sign in a few days, along with a check. I’m giving you double the amount you paid for it, plus a little extra.”

“What? No! You shouldn’t to do that.”

“I never do anything I don’t want to do, honey. Trust me. I could pay you three times that amount and still have the better deal.” He shrugged. “Might do that anyway.” He winked at Tillie. “Just ‘cause you’re too cute.” He chuckled. “Worried I didn’t know the place was dangerous. That was adorable.”

Tillie leaned into me, clutching my arm. “Something’s wrong with him. I don’t think he’s all right,” she whispered. “You know. Upstairs.”

“He’s fine.” I tried hard to scowl at Antonio, the bastard, but it was hard because honestly, it was kind of cute. My little Tillie was worried about the man who was probably the biggest crime lord in the region not understanding the place was dangerous. It really was a funny notion.

“Are you sure you want to buy that place?”

“Yes, Tillie. I promise.”

“I can’t say I’m not relieved. I didn’t really care about the money, but I’m glad I’m not going to lose it.”

“I’ll be in touch with Knuckles. We’ll set up a time for you to sign the paperwork.”

Antonio stood, and everyone but Knuckles followed suit. Antonio held out his hand to Tillie, who took it without hesitation. “Thank you, Tillie.” As he walked to the door, Antonio turned back. “Oh. You might want to expect a call from your parents.”

“Crap. That was your fault?” Tillie put her hands on her hips and glared at Antonio.

“Wait, what?” I looked from Tillie to Antonio. “What do you mean his fault?”

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