Page 136 of Avenging Azalea

“It’s not what you’re thinking. I mean it is, but it’s not at the same time. My stepfather got into trouble with the wrong man. He’d somehow snuck into a high-stakes poker game and lost a lot of money. The man running the game was on the hook to pay the winning player. They came to collect and took me. I was sixteen. I thought that was it. I was being sold off to a trafficking ring. When I look back now…I felt so helpless, so used to my role that it sickens me.”

My eyes stung, but I refused to cry. If I did, then I’d never get through this story.

“The man my stepfather owed was Titus’s father, Mr. Mikhailov, but it was Titus who came to collect. Instead of cash, the men offered me.” Crossing my arms, I looked down at my sneakers and sucked in a deep breath to finish. “Titus knew with one look what would happen to me if he didn’t accept me as payment. He also knew what would happen if he handed me over to his father who is nothing like Titus. So, he took me instead. He never touched me, and was kind and calm even when I didn’t deserve it. I owe him my life, and along the way, I’ve fallen in love with him.”

“So, Titus is the reason you canceled our date?”

“Yes, and I don’t care what it looks like, I know how I feel. No one understands the depth of compassion Titus has shown me, never expecting anything in return. He is a good person despite what he did, and I’m very sorry he went after you.”

Matt crossed his arms and sighed.

“Fawn, are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into? I mean, a mafia family is no joke. You will always be looking over your shoulder.”

Images of the dead girl that Dimitri had killed floated around inside my head, but I nodded, nonetheless.

“I do, and it’s a risk that I’m willing to take.”

“Can I ask another question?”

“Of course,” I said.

“Why did you agree to dinner at all?”

“Titus was forced into an arranged marriage with another family, and I needed to move on. When you asked me out, I was flattered. And yes, I was interested. But Titus was able to cancel the engagement without issues. He admitted how he felt about me, and that was it.”

“By issues…you mean starting a family feud, which probably means bad blood and people dying.” Matt shook his head. “You’re braver than I am. There is no way I would ever want to marry into that situation. Every day, wondering if he’ll be arrested or killed. That is far too much stress.”

“Do you think we can still be friends,” I asked, and Matt gave me a small smile.

“Yeah, as long as Titus promises not to pay me anymore late-night visits. You’re still the best and brightest student that has ever walked into my clinic, and I love teaching you.”

I held out my hand for him to shake and smiled as a weight lifted off my chest.

“To being friends.”

“Friends,” Matt said.

Sheba and Winston walked out the door when I opened it to leave, but Matt called my name. I looked back at him.

“For whatever it’s worth, I am sorry you had to live through that, and I’m happy Titus helped you.”

“Me too,” I said, and walked out to get my things.

Titus would be here soon to pick me up, and I needed some fresh air. Pulling out my phone, I saw a text from George. Even with Titus confirming that he was safe from Dimitri, worry spread throughout my body. Hitching my bag up onto my shoulder, I stepped outside with the dogs following.

G: What the hell is going on?

F: Hi to you, too. What do you mean?

G: I’m on the football team, and we have an away game, but the dean told me that I’m no longer allowed to leave the property. I’m a fucking prisoner here. I hate this place, but I hate you more for forcing me to be here.

F: I can’t explain what is going on in a text. I’ll make a point of visiting you soon, and we can talk this through. It’s time I told you everything.

G: Ugh! Fine, but know you’re ruining my life.

Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose. George was a whole issue that I really didn’t know how to fix. He resented me, that was clear. He never believed me, even though I’d never lied to him, and no matter what I did or said, it was the wrong thing.

Everything happened so fast.