Titus’s lip curved. “Come on, he’ll be here soon.”
“He?”
Titus didn’t reply as he pulled her towards the door to the left, opening to reveal a bedroom just as dark as the living room. “Jesus Christ, I think you have a problem.”
His bed was made to perfection, the black satin sheets without a single crease. The armoire, wall length mirror, and chest of drawers were all in matching dark mahogany, not a single item on top of the polished surface. A computer desk with three monitors was set up on the right, bare other than the screens, a mouse and a keyboard. Even the cords were pinned perfectly straight, and mostly out of sight. Nothing seemed disturbed, everything having its place.
“What do you do for a living?” she asked as Titus moved his mouse, the middle screen flashing white before returning to black. “Computer stuff?”
“You could say that.”
Rae pursed her lips, sweeping her gaze around his room once more. “So you’re not even going to try to elaborate? I’m trying to help you figure out who hired the Guild to kill you.”
Titus turned to sit against his desk, crossing his arms. The simple movement forced her a step closer or having to risk injury to her wrist, and she was so ready to get the cuff removed. “I specialise in cyber security.”
“Okay.” She wasn’t one hundred percent confident what that was. “Maybe a rival ordered the hit?”
“I have no rivals,” he said with a smooth arrogance.
“A dissatisfied customer, then?”
“Possibly, except any customers I take on know nothing about me. I don’t exist.”
Rae flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Hate to break it to you, but you do, in fact exist.”
His right brow arched, unusual eyes darkening with impatience.
“I found you, didn’t I?”
“I wouldn’t hold your breath,” he muttered. “You’re a pretty shit assassin.”
“Contractor.” She pinned him with a glare, his voice so fucking relaxed, as if entirely bored with the conversation. “Also, I shot you from the thirteenth floor, across the street in almost pitch black.”
“Killing me is literally your entire job.” Titus laughed, the deep rumble at odds with his expression. “And you failed.”
“Fuck you, arsehole! You’re the one with the hit on your head!” she snarled. “Maybe it’s because of your chipper personality.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, the laughter devoid of humour. “I’m a loveable guy. Now are you going to behave? Or am I keeping your pretty dagger?”
Rae clenched her fist, swallowing her acerbic comment.
The centre monitor flashed white at his back. “Come on, my brother’s here.” Titus slipped off the desk, silent as he moved them both back through his apartment to the front door. They keypad glowed, only unlocking once he’d placed his palm against it.
Rae frowned, the pendant that set between her breasts heating up until it almost scalded her flesh. “Shit.” She pulled it away from her skin, cursing low beneath her breath before looking up to face the man somehow even taller than Titus. His dark navy eyes were hard, yet curious when they met hers, his frown tugging at the thick scar that sliced down his left eye, a few shades darker than his warm skin tone.
“And you are?” he asked, staring at her.
“She’s no one,” Titus said, opening the door further.
Wow,Rae thought.Story of my life.
* * *
TITUS
Jax watched Rae with an intense concentration, and Rae moved slightly behind him, the first sign of intelligence in hours.
‘You’re hiding something.’Jax’s voice was just as serious when it brushed across his mind.‘Who is she?’
