Chapter 168

Cecilia "You—" I gasped, feeling a sudden flutter of panic in my chest. Xavier's face darkened to a dangerous shade. His jaw clenched so hard I could almost hear his teeth grinding. Was he seriously this threatened by Sebastian?The realization sent a peculiar thrill through me. "Not him," Xavier growled. "Anyone but him." I gathered myself quickly. "Yes, him." "He's off-limits!" Xavier's eyes flashed amber. "He's perfectly suitable," I countered evenly. "Suitable? How the hell is he suitable?" Xavier's voice rose, attracting glances from passersby. "In every way that matters," I replied, my voice deliberately light and airy. Something wild flashed across Xavier's face. His hands flexed at his sides like he was imagining them around someone's throat. I took two cautious steps back. Yes, Sebastian's arrival had emboldened me, but Xavier in this state was still dangerous. If I had the physical strength to match him, I wouldn't be dancing around his ego like this. But beneath my composed e