Page 28 of Cruel Titan

Victoria folds her arms across her chest, and the murderous glare she pins on Elliot gives me a break from her wrath as she starts lecturing him instead.

The break will be short lived since the eternal source of my torment is just a short ride away. When we turn onto the street where the event is taking place, the tie feels like it’s getting tighter around my neck. It’s getting to the point where I can’t take in a breath. Jerking at the confining fabric, I untie it until it’s free from my neck before tossing it down on the floorboard. Taking a deep breath, I pull the top buttons of the stiff collar open.

“What are you doing?” Victoria snatches my tie off the floor, tossing it on my lap. “Put it back on.”

I don’t make a move to oblige her request as the tie remains untouched on my lap.

“Asher, please. This night is important to her. Just try to act like a decent human.”

The car pulls to a stop and the door swiftly opens. Stepping out, I look at the building housing the grand event. Half the people inside the walls are miserable and the other half live to inflict such misery. I’d bet there’s not a “decent human” among the crowd, some are just better at hiding it than others. And I’m not the latter.

I hear a few more whispered warnings from Victoria as we walk up the stairs, hurrying through the doors. It doesn’t take me more than a few seconds to locate Quinn. Every plan I had for the night is sidelined when my eyes trail, slowly and deliberately, up her body before studying her smiling face, a smile so genuine it makes me want to punch the asshole responsible. Connor. The son of a bitch laughs, leaning towards her until his mouth is practically on her ear, then his hand moves to her motherfucking hip as he whispers something in her ear, his nose all but buried in her goddamn hair.

I step forward, but Victoria clutches my arm, having spotted the same scene I want to put a halt to. “You need to think for five seconds before you really make an ass out of yourself.”

“Come on, man. You’re my date and you haven’t even asked me if I want a drink yet.” Elliot grips the sleeve of my jacket, pulling me to the table where my parents are seated as Victoria heads in Quinn’s direction.

My parents don’t acknowledge my late arrival, just continue bickering about something, so I turn my focus back to Quinn. She gives Victoria a hug before glancing in my direction then quickly looking away. It only takes about five seconds for me to figure out what I want to be doing tonight.

21

Quinn

The glance in his direction has unnerved me. I’m already at the end of my sanity, so I pray he will just leave me alone tonight. Victoria gives me a quick hug before heading over to take a seat with her parents.

Nathan steps onto the stage, clearing his throat before speaking into the microphone to get everyone’s attention. Connor and I head over to our assigned table, and Connor pulls my chair out for me to sit before taking his seat next to me.

Candace watches the scene play out from the chair beside me. Leaning over, she whispers in my ear, “He’s so gentlemanlike.”

Yeah. It still catches me by surprise.

Nathan commences his welcome speech before detailing the foundation and their plans for the upcoming year. My eyes are fixated on the large screen behind him, flashing pictures from the slideshow I created with previous achievements and some of the recipients who had benefited from the generous donations over the years. There’s one that I stare at every time her face appears on the screen.

Katherine Morgan. I’ve read through her file a million times, and I still can’t connect her to my parents, but I know she’s important in all of this. She has to be because no matter where I search or look, I can’t find any information on her. Glancing at Candace, I watch to see if she reacts to Katherine’s photograph. So far, there’s no reaction to any of the photos, even when the one of her flashes across the screen. I have yet to confront her about any of this because all I’ll get is more lies.

The room erupts into applause as I realize Nathan has concluded his speech. He waves at the crowd as he exits the stage walking over to our table.

“Not bad.” I hear a deep voice boom from behind me. I spin to see the man I know from his painting only. Barker Bennett.

Nathan walks up to his father, giving him a stiff handshake before looking at me.

“Dad, I want you to meet Quinn.” I stand, fumbling my hands as I’m unsure what to do with them. Barker just glares at me before finally extending his hand to shake mine.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Quinn,” Barker says curtly, locking me in his gaze before turning back to Nathan. “Why don’t you all come over tomorrow for brunch. We still have a lot to discuss.”

“We’ll be there,” Nathan says before walking away from his dad. Barker walks over to the table where the Hastings are seated. Victor stands, shaking Barker’s hand. Barker gives him a pat on the back, looking more natural with Victor than he had with his own son.

“Think we’re overdue for that dance?” Connor asks, holding his hand out to me.

Smiling, I place my hand in his as he leads me to the dance floor. Connor stops in the center of the small crowd gathering to dance along with the band’s slow melody. Placing his hands on my lower back, he gently pulls me against him as my arms drape over his shoulders.

“This is a lot different than the last dance,” he whispers, teasing, as I relax against him. The last time we were at a house party. This time we are in the center of a ballroom, surrounded by fancy gowns and expensive champagne. The only similarity is I had whiskey shots at both nights’ events. Tonight, we were just a little more discreet than the last time I drank a few.

Connor stiffens beneath my touch as I look up to see a strained expression on his face.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’m just having a hard time.”