Page 219 of Titus

It was a reminder that the future of Veléz Global was still bright and moving forward. The summer slowdown hadn’t changed that. If anything, it reinforced that the momentum my team and I had fought so hard to build over the years was as strong as ever.

I should’ve been thrilled about all of it, but I wasn’t. Instead, my attention drifted toward an empty corner of my office, and my thoughts returned to the one thing I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about… Titus.

The man had been locked up for two weeks now, and at this point, I’d expected we’d have more information.

The last time we’d been separated for this long, he’d been overseas. He was working, busy, and flying between countries. But even with that distance, there had been texts, calls, and photos.

I knew the relationship was new, but it had gone from nothing to something intensely wonderful in such a short time, and having him snatched away from me so abruptly had left me with a sort of emotional whiplash I was struggling to navigate.

I just missed the hell out of him. It was devastating to feel like we were moving in such a strong, exciting direction, only to have the rug ripped out from under both of us. Maybe it didn’t make sense to be this attached to him already, but when did love ever make sense? I had fallen hard and fast for him, and I couldn’t pretend what I felt wasn’t love.

Now, there was only silence and uncertainty. The kind that settled in your chest and refused to leave. Because every day, I woke up asking the same damn questions… What if this only gets worse? What if they don’t release him? What if this isn’t only for a matter of weeks?

What if this becomes years?

I hated that my brain went there, but it did, every single day, because I was nothing if not a realist who always needed a blueprint for every scenario. I knew preparing for worst-case scenarios was the most prudent course of action in a situation like this, but I still hated doing it.

I just had to stay busy. That’s what was getting me through. Sitting here and letting my mind drift wasn’t.

I reached for another file, but I paused when I looked up and saw someone standing in the doorway.

My breath caught, and the folder slipped from my hands. I blinked to make sure I was really seeing Titus standing there. For a moment, my brain refused to process what was right in front of me.

He was leaning against my doorframe, arms folded across his chest, looking like he’d just come from his office rather than like a man who had been in federal detention for two weeks.

“Titus?”

His smile widened. He looked more handsome than I remembered, wearing his pristine bespoke suit, his naturally wavy hair styled to perfection, and his eyes virtually glistening.

“I leave you unsupervised for two weeks, and somehow you still managed to schedule an entire fall season?”

I stared at him, still unable to move. I swear to God, I couldn’t believe he was here.

His smile became softer and warmer, and suddenly, every emotion I’d been holding together for the last two weeks hit me all at once.

I pushed away from my desk and crossed the room as quickly as I could. By the time I reached him, my hands were already on his face. It was as if I needed physical proof he was actually standing there.

“My God,” was all I could say, watching his eyes close briefly beneath my touch. The tiniest exhale escaped him, as if he were also at a loss for words in this moment.

“When did you get out?” I finally asked.

His eyes met mine as his arms came up around me, pulling me into his chest. “About three hours ago.”

“Three hours?”

His smile returned. “I showered first. I didn’t want to call. I just wanted to come here and take you in my arms.”

I finally pulled back enough to look at him. “How did they let you out without telling anyone?”

Titus shrugged. “Apparently, my attorneys enjoy surprises.”

I laughed. “They couldn’t have called?”

“They did.” His eyes drifted toward my desk.

“I’ve been on a thousand different calls all day,” I said. “I haven’t even checked voicemails.”

“Speaking of priorities…” His hands settled on my waist. “I’m starving. Care to join me for dinner?”