“How’s Laolao?” he asked, wanting to bring her into the conversation. She turned her head at his voice, face composed, but he saw the fire there, simmering gently.
Axel eyed her, but dropped the mental link. “Being difficult. She hasn’t said a word to your parents. But they want to speak to you.”
“They’ll have to wait.” It wasn’t like he’d ever been their priority.
“Your parents were at the safehouse too?” Rae asked, eyeing him curiously. She was always asking him questions about his life, about his family. Before he didn’t want her to know anything more about him, but now it was different. Now, she was his. “And Laolao, our grandmother.”
Rae flicked her eyes to Axel, and Titus found himself tensing, wondering if she noticed how perfect his face was. How he was used to people begging for his attention, even if he wasn’t interested. Jealousy twisted his gut, but he shot it down before it could grow into anything else.
“So you’re Sam’s mate,” she asked with a small smile.
Titus pulled her against his chest. He expected some resistance, but instead she pressed her cheek against him more firmly, right above his heart.
Axel blinked, lips pursed. “Fucking hell, I’ve only been gone a day. How much have I missed?”
Chapter26
Rae
It wasn’t lost on her that the only time she’d ever had to dress up and attend a posh event was under a false pretence.
The dress she’d been given was jet black, a size too small with a slit on the left side that was a few centimetres shy of indecent. The neckline was high, modest, and paired perfectly with the floor length, bare backed design. It hugged every single curve, and while it was beautiful, she’d never felt so fake in her entire life.
She wasn’t someone who wore evening gowns, definitely not with such pristine makeup and hair elegantly styled around her shoulders. Well, she wasn’t until she’d noticed Titus’s expression. She’d stepped out of the small room to find him waiting, eyes hungry, ruthless in their thoroughness as he’d leisurely took in every inch of her. As if she was a temptation he could barely resist.
So clearly evening gowns were now her thing.
“You ready for this?” he asked, his profile obscured by the shadows in the limousine.
She’d never been in such a long car, either. She suspected the night was going to be full of firsts. “Born ready.”
Titus had been quiet for the majority of the ride, turning only to respond to Riley who’d given them a brief rundown on what was to happen. They were allowed to approach Councilman Edwards, but they weren’t allowed to kill him. Not tonight, at least.
Rae wanted to protest, but Titus had been edgier than usual, even though his expression revealed nothing of the sort. She was slowly learning to read his subtle cues, the slight tightening of his lips or jaw, the narrowing of his eyes or the grip in which he held her.
He was about to find his answers, and then whatever was between them was coming to an end. Because she wasn’t his mate, and no cock, even one as magnificent as his, was going to change that.
The cool steel of her favourite dagger was the sole comfort as they pulled up after an hour to white flashes of cameras, each so startling in their brightness. Her dress was too fitted for a gun, but the knife was fine against the front of her thigh, the delicate beading concealing the outline, and with the high slit she’d have easy access.
The door opened, and Riley stepped out to the thunder of the paparazzi. Titus was next, the photographers just as excited despite not knowing his name. She couldn’t really blame them, not when Titus was hot with a capital H. His dark blonde hair framed his freshly shaved face, bringing out his sharp cheekbones and beautiful eyes. Add the tattoos that swirled up his throat and covered his hands, the metal rings through the centre of his bottom lip and nostril, plus his uninterested expression, he was bad boy personified.
Rae paused when it was her turn, not used to the attention. Titus held out his hand, sensing her hesitation. Taking a breath, she stepped out of the car, thankful the heels she wore fitted perfectly. His hand slipped to the bare skin of her back, and she wanted to think she only allowed his possessive touch because they were in public. But in reality, she was beginning to crave his skin against hers. He was a warmth against the hollow void left by her brother.
Salty wind whipped at them, the shouts and calls nothing but a wild buzz as Titus guided her down the red carpet, Riley by her other side.
“Lots of media for a charity event,” Rae said, eyeing the sea of men and women waiting behind the rope.
“Normal for this particular gala. Children of the Moon’s a large charity, and the yearly event always brings the top elite and celebrities. It’s usually at the Grande Hotel back in the city, but this year they’ve moved it to the coast,” Riley answered before turning to Titus over her head. “Xander and Kyra are already inside.”
“Who’s Kyra?” A camera snapped right in her face, capturing her frown for eternity.
“Someone who shouldn’t be here.” Titus’s clenched his jaw, the only sign of aggravation. “I don’t need –”
“She insisted,” Riley growled, his smile revealing nothing as he continued to nod towards the photographers, clearly an expert compared to her. “Said she had something to give you.”
Fingers pressed against her back. “Titus?” she whispered his name in question. He simply shook his head, guiding her to the restaurant at the very edge of the cliff.
The gala had stripped back the décor to reveal meticulously cleaned oak flooring, ostentatious gold edged tables and matching chairs, all moved to the sides, allowing a large space in the centre. A stage had been set up by the large windows overlooking the cliff, a podium along with a speaker waiting for the event to start. Two posters and a single pop-up stand were displayed for the charity, including a sign on how to donate.
