Page 134 of Avenging Azalea

“That was your bad guy flag? That he was too nice and not hitched with kids?”

I swallowed as she crossed her arms.

“When you put it like that, it sounds worse. But Fawn, you have to understand that everyone around us can always be a potential threat. I needed to check him out.”

“Uh, huh. Try selling me another story because I’m not buying this one. You were fine with me working there for months, literal months, until we took Sheba in and you got a look at him. Now suddenly, he is a threat. Nope, I don’t believe it.”

“I can’t say I’m sorry. I wish I could. But if that’s what you’re hoping for, it’s not going to happen. Fawn…I will do anything to keep you and to keep you safe. If that means I piss you off…I don’t know what to say.”

“Titus, I wanted you to believe me that I’d taken care of it. I told you that I spoke to Matt, and he understood. Even if he had asked me out again, I’d never go. Do you think I’m that weak-minded, or that untrustworthy?”

I grabbed Fawn’s hand, tugging it free of her crossed arms. She was reluctant at first, but gave in and let me link our fingers together.

“No, I don’t think any of those things.”

“Then please trust me. I just lost a friend because of what you did. He seemed terrified. I’d probably be out on my ass, looking for a new job, if he weren’t so scared of what you might do. That’s not normal.”

Sighing, I waited until the server had set our waters down and walked away before continuing.

“Fawn, there are some things that I just can’t change. One of those is how I react to threats. I’m sorry you lost a friendship. But nothing in my world is normal, which means nothing in our world is the same as it once was. I will always be extra cautious, most of all with you, because you are the single most important person in my life. There is no taking that lightly. That’s how people end up dead.”

Fawn cast her eyes down as she nibbled her bottom lip. For once, I couldn’t read what she was thinking. Her face was a mix of a million emotions and thoughts.

“I trust you, Fawn. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t.”

Fawn looked up at me once more.

“This place is our top money laundering operation. Mrs. Chen not only owns the best restaurant I know, but also has ties to the Yakuza. The Mikhailovs have been dealing with her and her connections for years. We are practically family, and we both know the score.”

The door chimed as a couple walked in, and I pointed.

“For example, that couple could be diners out for a great meal, or they could be FBI looking to spy on our network. They could even be members of a rival organization looking to learn what they can to attack us. The man outside picking through the garbage could be homeless or an undercover cop. Every person is a threat. So yes, to me, Dr. Taylor was a threat, just an even larger one because…well, because of my feelings.”

Fawn’s features softened as she sighed and relaxed into me.

“Why is it you always know exactly what to say to get me to forgive you?”

I chuckled, draping my arm over her shoulders.

“Because you know that it comes from a place of love, not control. I never want to control you, and I do trust you, but sometimes…sometimes you’ll just have to get used to being annoyed with me.”

Fawn’s lip turned up as she looked up at me.

“Do I get mind-blowing makeup sex?”

Smiling, I dropped my lips to Fawn’s and kissed her, teasing her until she was wiggling beside me. I broke the kiss and groaned as I traced my lips in a soft line to her ear, not caring who was around.

“I’m pretty sure we can make that part of the deal,” I whispered, smiling.

Fawn gripped my jacket with her fists. Yeah, we were going to be just fine.

Chapter

Forty-Four

FAWN

“Here you go, Bex,” I said, putting the bunny back into its cage.