“I hope I’m doing the right thing, Hoppy. I just met Titus.This could be the most epic stupid move in the history of gullible women.”
You’re not gullible, Little mate. You’ll always be safe with me. Ready to leave?
She jumped as she spotted his shadowy figure in her room. Astounded that she hadn’t seen him arrive, Alessia barely controlled her desire to throw herself in his arms. She remembered his question and nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her in the darkness. “Yes.”
Nodding is fine, Alessia. I have good vision. Now, no talking. No sound at all. I’ve taken out some guards and evaded others, so we’ll need to be quiet. Where’s your phone?
Alessia pulled her cell out of the purse she wore across her torso. She held the device out to him and gasped when he crushed the phone in one hand and scattered the pieces over the floor. She smacked a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from making any other noise.
Stand up, Little mate. I’m going to stage the scene.
Automatically, she followed his directions. Titus moved her behind him. Her body reacted to his touch automatically as if the feel of his skin on hers was a powerful aphrodisiac. When he released her, she missed that sensation. He set the duffel aside before ripping her covers partially off the bed. The white sheets stood out in the darkness. He made her room appear as if he’d dragged her out of bed. She shivered at the implied violence in the tangled bedclothes.
Where’s your nightgown?
Alessia grabbed her nightshirt out from under the pillow. Handing the cotton garment to him, she heard the material rip. That sound startled her, but her eyes were adjusting more to the shadowy darkness. He draped the fabric over his shoulder.
Arm, Alessia. I’m sorry I’ll have to hurt you.
Hesitantly, she extended her arm. Titus dipped his head tosmooth the flat of his tongue over her skin sensually. A sting on her skin made her yank her hand back, but he gripped her fingers firmly. A moan of delight rumbled from his mind into hers as his hand tightened on her wrist. What had turned him on? The discomfort he’d caused her?
Your taste, Little mate,he answered the question she hadn’t meant to ask him.
Her mind raced as he squeezed her flesh over the nightshirt. Titus tossed the garment onto the sheets before lifting her arm to his mouth one more time. That tongue smoothed over her flesh. Again, the deep, sensual sound echoed in her mind. Her body responded eagerly. Alessia squeezed her thighs together, trying to quench the desire that he had kindled inside her with his sounds.
Time to get out of here, Little mate. I will take care of you. You’ve never been safer in your life. Okay?
Okay, Titus. I’ll trust you.Strangely, her mind was calm. She did feel like she could rely on him implicitly.
Let me grab your bag.
Titus picked the satchel up. A tumbling movement told her that something had dropped out. “Hoppy!” she gasped. She scrambled to find her stuffie.
Let me, Alessia. I have your buddy. I’ll apologize to him later. Let’s put Hoppy back inside.
Her face flamed with embarrassment. He knew about Hoppy. She jumped when he cupped her cheek and guided her lips to his in a reassuring, soft kiss.
Little girls need their stuffie. I’m glad you’ve had Hoppy. Let’s go now. I hear someone in the hall.
Chapter
Five
Titus guided Alessia out the French doors onto the balcony. He drew her into the shadows and held her close as he scanned the exterior of the house. Loud banging and shouts to open the lock came from inside. His mate shook against him.
Frankie!His mate’s panic reverberated in his mind. Titus forced himself not to eliminate the man who threatened Alessia. Snapping his neck quickly was not how that scumbag should die.
Titus squeezed her tightly for a moment.I’m going to pick you up, Alessia. Close your eyes and don’t open them. You are safe.
She nodded and squeezed her eyelids tightly shut. Her hands clenched at his waist when he scooped her over his shoulder, but she didn’t let out a peep of protest. Draping the handles of her duffel over his forearm, Titus stepped over the railing and scrambled down the brick exterior to make the drop less jarring for his mate instead of descending to the ground directly. He could hear the snarl of dogs coming.
Titus would be long gone before the beasts reached theflower beds he’d deliberately trampled to reinforce the story he’d created upstairs. Racing toward the far wall, Titus pulled his shadow around himself and his mate. His rapid speed alone would be a blur to humans. The shadow would keep them from detecting the movement. He hadn’t bothered with that on the way inside. His incredible mate had noticed him. She would be a boon to the clan.
Holding onto her legs with one hand, he drove himself up the protective wall surrounding Enzo’s estate. Glass shards embedded vertically in the concrete top bit into his fingers, making him wince. By the time he landed on the other side, the wounds had healed. The impact forced the air out of Alessia’s lungs in a muffled uff. He smoothed his hand over her leg, reassuring her, before turning to speed away.
A staccato of gunfire ricocheted on the other side of the wall. Someone was shooting erratically over the barrier. He huddled close to the concrete, trusting the material would stop the desperate attempt to hit them as they fled. He must have triggered an alarm somewhere. Titus didn’t wait to see if they’d pursue him outside the gate. Using his vampiric speed, he put distance between his Little girl and the Costa family home as quickly as possible. He maintained his pace for close to eight minutes.
Arriving where he’d left his car in the parking lot of a popular mom-and-pop restaurant, Titus dropped the duffel lightly onto the ground before setting Alessia’s feet back on the ground. When she swayed in reaction to standing still after their rapid pace, he steadied her. “Whoa, Little mate.”
