Page 90 of Avenging Azalea

My logical brain screamed, “No.” But the rest of me said, “Yes.” This was dangerous, and stupid, and all the adjectives that could be conjured to describe this moment, and yet the shaking and the lingering sensation of Neil’s touch had me nodding my head.

“Shift over and I’ll sit beside you,” Titus said.

Sheba reluctantly moved, giving us a disgruntled look as Titus sat on the covers while I tucked myself under his arm. He was warm like a furnace and smelled so good that everything about this moment soothed my senses.

Titus was quiet as he held me. His eyes were closed when I glanced up at this handsome face, but I knew he was still awake. Tears ran down my cheeks as my hand rested on his perfect washboard abs. I’d never seen him work out, but he was as fit as if he spent all day in the gym.

“It wasn’t Cesare,” I said.

Titus tensed but didn’t speak. His silence allowed me to tell him just enough that he understood without knowing everything.

“He and his men only touched me to put me in the cage. My stepfather hurt me. I don’t want to talk about it, but you should know that it wasn’t the Mancinis who did this to me. I should’ve told you that when you first took me in. I…I’m sorry I kept that from you.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Little Bird. Not now, not ever. Thank you for telling me. For trusting me.” His hand tightened on my lower back, pulling me closer to his side.

“I still have to leave,” I said, feeling that the line in the sand needed to be drawn or I’d tumble down the hill all over again.

“I know, but I’ll always be here for you. That will never change. And before you ask, yes, you can take Sheba. I’d never ask you and Winston to leave her behind.”

The tears fell faster as I held him tight. “Thank you.”

Titus kissed the top of my head, and the heaviness of sleep pulled at me. My eyes shut, and I let my mind fantasize that this wasn’t just a one-off. I would never feel guilty about wishing for that particular lie.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“And I love you, Little Bird.”

TITUS

I didn’t sleep. Instead, I stayed awake listening to Fawn breathe while soaking in her touch. The words she’d said were on repeat in my head. It hadn’t been Cesare, but her stepfather who hurt her. Even without specifics, I knew what that meant. When she first came into my life, vengeance hadn’t been a priority. She’d needed to feel safe and to heal. I gave her that without adding another layer of trauma. But now she had confirmed my suspicions, and I had a target. I would avenge whatever was done to my Little Bird—whether she wanted me to or not.

The sun was just coming up when I slipped silently from Fawn’s bed. My heart ached like an open wound in my chest as I took a moment to watch her sleep. Bella woke up and stared at me for a command. I shook my head, and she settled back down. Grabbing my gun, I walked out of Fawn’s bedroom and closed the door behind me.

In my office, I grabbed my spare phone from the drawer. The first number on my call list was Wayward. This was probably a stupid move, but there was only one person I knew with a direct line to the Curators.

Walking over to the window, I stared outside and watched my guards walking the grounds as the phone rang.

“Hello, Titus. This is unexpected. What can I do for you,” Dean Henry asked.

“I’m sorry to call so early, but I couldn’t wait any longer. This will most likely paint a giant target on my back, but it’s a risk I have to take.”

“Consider me intrigued,” he said.

“My father tells me that he got a letter from the Curators. Is it legit or is he lying to me?”

“It’s legit,” Paul answered, and I pinched the bridge of my nose. “And you are aware that I cannot discuss any investigations.”

“I am, and I want it on the record that no one in my family, other than my father, had any knowledge of the incident. The Curators may not care or they already know, but I had to say something.”

“I must say I find it fascinating that you are calling to plead your family’s case. Especially considering your upcoming nuptials with Ms. Vilanova. You have put yourself in a precarious position.”

“I was unaware of the threat when I agreed to the contract.”

“But you’re still going through with the marriage?”

“I am. I’m a man of my word. I know nothing of what transpired, but if dissolving the engagement hurts my family in any way, then I’ll never be able to forgive myself. There are too many innocent people relying on me at this point.”

“Very interesting. Alright, Titus, I’ll pass your message along. For what it is worth, I believe that you and your siblings were and are unaware of the details.”