Page 104 of Avenging Azalea

My instincts told me that Titus wouldn’t allow Dimitri’s threats to reach George, and if being honest meant that he found out about my past…so be it. I never wanted to let anyone use it against me like a weapon. The things Dimitri told me he knew could only have come from my stepfather or the men who had assaulted me. Both of those prospects were terrifying.

Pulling my hair up into a ponytail, I walked down the stairs, ready to face the music and Titus. I heard his voice in the kitchen and had to suck up the instinct to take the coward’s way out by tucking tail and running. It partially worked. I let the dogs outside while I took the extra time to calm my nerves.

As I stepped into the kitchen, Titus looked up from his tablet. My heart sputtered in my chest. This engagement to Vera was tearing a rift in our relationship so wide that it was swallowing me whole.

“Yeah, that all sounds great. I looked at the specs, and the building seems sound. The contractor and builder are not ones to cut corners. It looks like a good investment to me, but I’ll know better once I do the walk-through this morning,” Titus said.

It sounded like he was talking to Nathaniel. I poured my coffee and tried not to listen in on his conversation as my mind ran with what to say to him. Someone had gone out and picked up fresh bagels. I stole the blueberry one and popped it into the toaster.

Leaning against the counter, I pulled out my phone and waited for my breakfast to pop up. I answered the texts from Steph before scrolling through my social media. Bradley had sent me a half-dozen messages as well, asking me out. He was sweet and sexy, but there was no spark. ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ seemed so cliché, but I needed to figure out something to say to him.

“Yeah. I’ll keep you posted,” Titus said, and put his phone down.

He stared at me with his usual calm, not speaking, which only made me feel worse.

“You seem very deep in thought,” he finally said.

Unable to put it off any longer, I looked Titus in the eyes. God, the difference was night and day from his father. At this point, I would have sworn Titus was adopted. After what Dimitri did to me last night, I couldn’t picture them sharing any DNA.

“Yeah, I’m just trying to figure out the best way to say I’m sorry. You’re right, I shouldn’t have met your father behind your back,” I said, as my bagel popped. Happy to have something to do with my hands, I set my phone down and began spreading the plain cream cheese.

“Then why did you?”

“Because I’ve been desperate to find a way to prove that you don’t have to take care of me like a stray dog anymore,” I said, stealing Vera’s analogy.

“Fawn, I’ve never seen you as a stray dog,” Titus said.

I quickly wrapped the bagel in a paper towel and turned to look at him.

“Maybe, but it’s how I feel about myself. I don’t know, maybe part of me thought that it was my chance to prove to you and your family that I could be one of you and maybe even be liked enough that this whole thing with Vera…” I waved my hand. “It doesn’t matter. It was a stupid thought. You’ve made it clear what you need to do and where that leaves us.”

“Fawn, I⁠—”

“No, don’t. Please don’t. I already feel stupid enough. You were right all along. Your father obviously doesn’t like me living here, and maybe Vera said something. I don’t know, but the only reason he wanted to meet was to make sure that I’m planning on moving out and butting out of your relationship.” I shook my head.

“I’m just happy that’s all my father wanted. Honestly, Fawn, you terrified the shit out of me by going anywhere with him. My family is complicated, and I love them most of the time, but there is a danger that I’ve shielded you from. By keeping you so separate from what we do and what my father is like, I now realize that may have been why you felt so emboldened to leave with him.”

Breaking his stare, I looked down at my feet and tried to figure out how to tell him the rest. The last thing I wanted was a massive explosion and Titus angry with me for omitting what really happened.

“You’re right, I do think that not knowing gave me false confidence,” I said, shuffling from foot to foot. Picking up my coffee, I took a swig and wished it was stronger for some liquid courage.

“I was going to see if you wanted to go to Nathaniel and Savannah’s wedding in two weeks, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I’ll happily bring you if you want to come, and Nathaniel and Savannah made it clear that you’re more than welcome, but Vera will be there.”

I shook my head.

“No, that definitely would not go well.” My mind was already conjuring the cat fight. The last thing Titus needed was for me and Vera to ruin Nathaniel’s wedding. “Wait…I thought they were already married?”

“This is the redo wedding…it’s a long story.” Titus pinched the bridge of his nose, and I knew there was something juicy behind that look.

Silence fell between us. It wasn’t uncomfortable per se, and it gave me a moment to think of the best way to tell Titus about the contract, the money, and Dimitri’s threats against George.

Titus stood and walked toward me just as my phone dinged. I swiped it off the counter. He stopped in front of me and ran his knuckles gently down my cheek. I gripped the phone tighter to keep from touching him.

“I know you know this, but I don’t want you to leave. Call me selfish, but the house won’t feel the same without you here.”

“As much as I want to…I can’t if you marry her.” I looked away, and he sighed.

“In that case.” He walked over to a folder on the island and pulled out all the listings I thought I’d lost. My mouth dropped open as he handed them to me. “You left these down here. You can be mad all you want, but I needed to check them out and make sure they were safe and had good landlords. I tossed the ones not good enough. This is what’s left. Last night you said you found a place, but…just incase you really hadn’t…. Anyway, there’s one right near Small Paws, and it goes without saying that I’ll pay for it.”