Page 123 of Avenging Azalea

“Well, I’m impressed and I’m not sure what I’d do without you, Levi.”

“You’d be lost. Completely disorganized. Do you remember the disaster I walked into when you hired me? Lord, have mercy on my soul.”

I laughed hard. There had been nothing wrong with my filing system or anything else, but Levi had acted as if he’d walked into an OCD nightmare.

“You’re right, I would be. Have a good night and order your fave takeout on me.”

“Already done,” Levi chimed back. “Don’t forget the cookies for the girls,” he said as I picked them up off the desk.

“Thank you,” I said, smiling as I walked to the elevator.

After the quick ride down, I waved to security and practically ran to my SUV. The girls hopped in the back, and I gave them the biscuits from Levi.

“Don’t worry, we’re going to go pick up Fawn. You don’t have to look at me like that,” I said, giving them a scratch. They seemed to relax and happily ate their treat.

My phone dinged, and I pulled it out of my jacket. I was very tempted to change my number when I saw Vera’s name. Fuck, she was persistent.

V: Titus, I’m so sorry. Please just speak to me so I can explain.

T: There is nothing to explain. I don’t care how it happened. What matters is that it did. If it happened with my brother, then I can only imagine how many others you’ve been with. The wedding is off. I won’t be changing my mind.

V: Don’t be like this. It was a mistake. I agree, but we weren’t married yet. Have you never had sex until now?

T: Vera, I’m not arguing with you about this. Just accept that it’s over and find someone else to marry. The contract has been burned, and there is no going back.

Thankfully, she didn’t bother to respond. I climbed into the front seat and dropped the phone in my cup holder. Wheeling out of the building, I headed for the vet clinic. With each mile, the excitement grew until there was no keeping the stupid smile off my face. Traffic was light for a Monday, and I made it to Little Pawsin only twenty minutes. I didn’t like Fawn working with Dr. Taylor day in and day out. But that had to do with Matthew Taylor, not Fawn. I didn’t trust most men, and I was pretty sure I had my father to thank for that.

Pulling up to the red light, I spotted Fawn standing outside with Winston and Sheba by her side as she spoke to Dr. Taylor. I studied him closely as I waited for the light to turn green and the line of cars to clear.

His posture said he was sad, but I didn’t trust that or him. He suddenly hugged Fawn, and she hugged him back. I growled, stirring Hailey and Holly. They went fully alert, searching for threats. Taylor kissed Fawn’s cheek as I drove through the intersection. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, Taylor had walked back into the clinic, and Fawn was waiting for me.

I’d already prepped the back with extra seats lying down for the four dogs to fit comfortably. Sheba jumped in when I opened the hatch, but Winston still needed help. Fawn bent to get him.

“I’ll do it,” I said, picking Winston up and placing him inside.

“Thanks. It’s great that he’s putting on weight, but now he’s almost too heavy for me,” Fawn said.

She didn’t get any further before I cupped her cheeks and kissed her long and slow, wanting to wipe all memory of Taylor from her mind.

When I broke the kiss, my lips curved up at the glossy and dazed look in Fawn’s eyes.

“Come on, I can’t wait to get you home.”

Walking around to the passenger side of the SUV, I opened her door and looked around. I was being extra vigilant after what she’d told me about my father’s threat. I knew his men and their cars, and scanned every single vehicle on the street before getting back in the driver’s seat.

“Did you have a good day?”

“It was good. Matt had me scrub into his morning surgery.”

At the mention of his name, my hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“That’s great. Is that what the two of you were talking about when he hugged you?”

Fawn turned to look at me as she crossed her arms.

“Don’t give me that look. I know how he feels about you, and it’s a valid question. Most bosses don’t hug their employees.”

“Do you not trust me?”