Page 14 of Avenging Azalea

“Golden Oak Prep is in Portland. It’s for the children of powerful families like mine. He will be perfectly safe there, I promise. I’ll even get him a cell phone so you can talk to him as much as you want.”

“You’d really do all of that? I…I can never repay you. Even if I worked every day for the rest of my life, I’d never make enough money. I only have one thing I can offer and….”

“No.” Titus suddenly stood, his large frame looming over me, and even with the dark shadows hiding his eyes, I could feel the anger rolling off him. I shivered. “We’ve already been over this, so don’t ever mention it again.” I swallowed. “Say you understand, Fawn. There is no room for negotiation on this.”

“I…I won’t bring it up again,” I said, and for the first time since I understood what sex was, there was a small part of me that wished Titus wanted more from me.

It was a terrible thought, and I kicked it to the side despite the uncontrollable feelings that had begun to form in my chest for him.

“Good. As far as repayment, please understand that I don’t expect one cent for anything.”

All the heat that had been in his tone was gone, like he’d never been mad at all.

“I know you don’t, but I’ve been working for the last year. I was flipping burgers at a fast-food restaurant. You paying for everything feels strange. The least I can do is use the money to buy extra things. Are there any chores I can do around the house?”

“No, that’s why I have staff.”

“I could be a staff member.”

He sighed, and I could feel his frustration rising again, but I didn’t understand it.

“All I’m saying is that I don’t want you to feel like I’m a burden. I know you said you chose to take me, but that man didn’t give you a real choice, and I hate that I’m taking advantage of you. Now you’re talking about helping my brother. It’s just too much, Titus.”

He put his hands on his hips, but I lifted my chin and rolled my shoulders. I was determined to contribute something to this arrangement.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“No. I’ll just start doing random things, like washing your car. I’ll probably use the wrong wax, and where will we be then?”

He chuckled, and I knew I’d worn him down.

“Fine. I’m putting you in charge of looking after my girls. That means feedings twice a day, walks, baths, and everything else that needs to be done. I’ll give you their schedules, and you’ll need to stick to them. This sounds easy, but it’s a seven-day-a-week job, and I won’t tolerate any slacking where my girls are concerned.”

“Really,” I asked, bubbling with excitement.

“Yes, really.”

I squealed and wrapped my arms around his waist before I realized what I was doing. He was so incredibly warm, he reminded me of everything comforting.

He didn’t return the hug, so I let go and stepped back.

“Sorry, I….”

“We’re good,” he said, but I felt like an idiot.

Why would he be interested in me? He was twelve years older and saw me as a kid. We came from two different worlds, and I had nothing but trauma to offer.

“I’m craving a milkshake, want one?”

“I wouldn’t say no to a milkshake,” I said as we turned toward the parking lot. “I’m buying, though.”

“Is that so? Well then, you better be prepared to buy four because Shadow and Sheba love vanilla.”

“Well, of course,” I said, smiling. “You came to find me. That, at the very least, deserves a milkshake. I should probably get two for Bella and Daisy so they will forgive me.”

Titus laughed. “That’s a good idea. They hold grudges.”

Walking to the car, I glanced up and smiled. A shooting star was visible above the tree line. I stopped and closed my eyes to make a wish. Right or wrong, I wished that one day there could be more between us.