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FOURTEEN
Duke
Arriving at Titan’s building, we immediately run into Gabriel Banks in the lobby, looking pissed the fuck off. “He’s here, isn’t he?” I ask, leading the way. Lorde holds onto Sol while Noble flanks them from behind.
“Yup, and this fucker”—he hooks a thumb over his shoulder at the security desk—“won’t let me up.” Waving the guy off, I indicate for Gabe to follow us.
Taking the elevator to the top floor, the atmosphere is silent. Sol seems lost in her own little world as she cuddles into Lorde’s chest while he envelops her with one hand on her back and the other at the nape of her neck.
Her eyes meet mine, and she gives me a wan smile. I can’t help myself and lean in to give her a chaste kiss—not nearly the type I want to give.
As soon as the doors open, we hear Ursula screeching at someone, and I witness what that voice does to our precious girl. Sol slinks inside herself, making her body as small as possible.
“Gabe, handle Scuttleworth. Don’t let him leave this building until Beau gets here. He’s got those arrest warrants for everyone, and this prick is the last on his list to round up,” Noble directs as he leads the way out.
“Anything goes?” Gabe asks, a curve to his lips.
“He had cameras in her bathroom. What doyouthink?” I point out, and he turns to stone. Nothing pisses this man off more than sick fuckers going after women.
It was discovered recently that Scuttleworth is obsessed with our girl. He’s the sick fucker who wanted to do all kinds of disgusting things to her.
“You!” Ursula points at Sol like she’s going to stab her with those razor-sharp talons she calls fingers. “You ruined everything. You just had to go and cause all these problems, didn’t you?” she accuses.
Ignoring the woman, we escort Sol into Titan’s office. He’s standing behind his desk, arms crossed, with a thunderous look on his face. “What the fuck is this?” His frigid gaze roams across the four of us and how we’re each touching Sol in some way.
“Exactly what it looks like,” I respond, raising my chin in challenge.
“I don’t fucking think so. Let her go, and leave. You’re all fired,” he spits out.
Sol comes alive at that. “But, Daddy, I love them!” Her voice stuns the room, and I realize they had no idea she might have opened up to us.
“Love?” he scoffs. “What the hell do you know about love? You’re just a little girl.” His condescending tone pisses me off. Noble grabs my arm to silence me when he notices I’m about to blow.
“You’re right,” Sol says quietly. “I am a little girl. Sheltered and unloved in my own home. But you know what?” She glances back at us, a coy smile playing on her lips. “I’mtheirlittle girl now, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“What?” he gasps. “What did you just say?”
Sol slinks back into my arms, gripping my hand and holding her other one at the base of her throat. The implication on her hand is crystal clear, and Titan doesn’t like it one bit.
“I hired you to protect her, not defile her!” he shouts. “What the fuck did you let them do to you?” The question isn’t as heated…more disappointed.
“I let them love me. I let them earn my trust. And I gave it all right back to them.” I can hear the tears in her voice, and as much as I’d like to kick her father’s ass, I’m going to give him some grace because I’m sure it’s shocking to learn your nineteen-year-old daughter has fallen in love with three men more than ten years her senior.
“They turned you into a whore.” His accusation snaps my control.
It’s Noble who lets it loose, however. “When you can speak to her respectfully, you know how to reach us. Until then, stay the fuck away from her.” Scooping her sobbing form into my arms, I head for the elevator, seeing Gabe sitting on Scuttleworth’s back as we pass.
“Beau is on his way up now. This fucker tried to run.” With a nod, I leave him to it. Getting Sol home where she’s comfortable is more important than anything else.
* * *
Sol
My heart hurts. It cramps and contracts, reminding me with every beat just how much my father doesn’t love me. The reminder was shocking, and maybe one day, when he sees how much these men love me, he’ll understand and come around. But today, the anger and disapproval in his voice and words were enough to give me a broken heart.
Until today, I’d never honestly doubted his love for me, never thought he would so callously cause me pain. He’s always been cold and distant, but I could look past it because when he did give me his attention, I felt like the only girl in the world.
I remain at Duke’s side all the way home, listening to my men try to comfort me. The truth is, I don’t know what I’ll do if my father doesn’t come around. Just this morning, I was blissfully flying in the clouds. I knew there would be tension when we broke the news to him, but he never even gave us a chance to express how much we loved each other.
