Page 53 of Avenging Azalea

He stood and squeezed my shoulder. Nathaniel’s eyes were filled with a calm that I wasn’t used to seeing in him. It was almost more terrifying than the rage that consumed him at times.

“Think about it. I’ll make an official statement to the press as soon as Savannah is out of here, and my lawyers start the division process tomorrow. There is no one that I’d rather have sitting at the table with me than you, Titus.”

“I don’t need to think about it,” I said, standing up and pulling him into a hard hug. “I’d be honored to work side-by-side with you.”

He gripped me back, and I could feel the relief even if he didn’t say the words.

“Go home and get some sleep, Titus. By the end of the week, there won’t be any going back. If you change your mind, no hard feelings, brother.”

I nodded and watched Nathaniel walk away. This family would never be the same again, and my father had no one to blame but himself.

Needing to clear my head, I drove around in circles before going home. Naji was outside, having a smoke, when I pulled into the driveway. He crushed it out and walked over as soon as I parked.

“Hey, how’s Nathaniel and his family?”

I shook my head.

“He’s not good, but his wife is going to live.”

Looking up at my house and then in the direction of my father’s home just down the street, I’d never been happier that I chose to move out.

“Listen, shit is going to get strained with my family. Make sure everyone is on high alert. If we need to hire more guys, go ahead. I trust your judgement.”

Naji’s eyebrow shot up. “That sounds like more than a strain in the relationship.”

“More like an unfixable fracture. I’ll fill you in more later.”

“You got it, boss. Oh, and Fawn is still awake. She’s been waiting up for you,” Naji said before walking away.

There was an instant spark in my chest, and I walked into the house with a new purpose. Seeing Fawn, if only for a minute, seemed like the most crucial thing in the world. The girls came running from the den, and I took a moment to greet each of them.

Fawn paused the movie she was watching and jumped up as soon as she saw me. She started forward and then stopped. Biting her lip, she stuffed her hands into the pocket of her hoodie. God, I hated this awkwardness between us.

“You waited up,” I said, stating the obvious. I didn’t know where to start or what to reveal about what had happened and what was coming. I’d worked hard to keep Fawn away from my family and anything to do with the Mikhailov name.

“Yeah, I want to know how Savannah is and to make sure you’re okay.”

Sighing, I looked at the television, where a couple was frozen on the screen. More than once, I’d wished that I could pause life, stop the insanity, and take a breath.

“It was a close call, but Savannah is strong. She’s pregnant, too.”

Fawn gasped and covered her mouth.

“Oh my god.”

“Yeah. Savannah pulled through surgery, and so far, she and the baby are stable. They’ll keep her for a few days at least.”

“How’s your brother handling everything?”

“He’s pissed. I wouldn’t want to be the person he’s going after.”

I didn’t elaborate and tried not to stare, but I couldn’t seem to look away.

Fuck, she was so beautiful, and had no idea. Fawn loved to curl up in hoodies that would fit me, fuzzy socks, and stretchy pants. She called them her comfy clothes but fuck if they didn’t turn me on as much as lingerie would. Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose and forced myself not to go there. It was treacherous territory filled with landmines that neither of us could navigate.

“I made dinner and saved you a plate. I can heat it if you want.”

Instead of going to bed like I knew I should, I sat down on the couch. My body and heart didn’t want to leave this room, and apparently, my head was overruled.