Page 25 of Brutal Titan

“Mine, Victoria,” I shout, watching as she freezes in place. I step behind her, close enough that she’s within my physical reach, but I refrain from wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her to me, knowing the part of her I need isn’t anywhere within my reach. Maybe it’s the drinks, maybe it’s just the hold she has over me, but I don’t care who’s listening or that I won’t be able to explain my way out of this one. “You’re all mine. You know it, and I know.”

Spinning to face me, she jabs her finger into my chest as she speaks through gritted teeth. “No. I’m not, because you’ll never get past who I am—Asher’s little sister.”

If she only knew.

Spinning on her heel, she storms off in Quinn’s direction. Perfect, I have yet to greet her. Hot on Victoria’s heels, under the guise of playing the perfect host, I drape my arm over Quinn’s shoulder. “Welcome, Quinnster. Mi casa es su casa.”

Though I’d intended to remain close, duty calls when someone hollers my name from across the room. I watch Victoria and Quinn head out to the patio, where they relax on a pair of lounge chairs. I’m ridiculously relieved she’s given up on dancing with losers for the time being.

Over the course of the night, I can’t keep my eyes off her, wanting to be next to her, even if she doesn’t want the same. Tonight, I’m just going to make it easy on myself, I decide as I spot her sleeping soundly. She looks at peace for the first time since I’ve started doing nothing but torturing her.

“She’s out.” I can’t help but chuckle as I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. If she were awake, she’d be cussing me out, but thankfully, we can put that on hold and resume the battle tomorrow. Tonight, I’m accepting defeat handed to me by a set of emerald eyes that pierce straight to my soul every time they look my way. Sitting on the end of Quinn’s lounge chair, my eyes remain on the source of my sweet surrender.

“Yeah, I was going to head upstairs, but I didn’t want to just leave her asleep here,” Quinn says, causing me to be thankful Victoria had someone looking out for her.

Standing, I motion for Quinn to do the same as she rises. Pushing the lounge chair as close to Victoria as it will go. “I’ll keep an eye on her. I need a break anyways.” A much-needed break, and I have a feeling I’ll get a good one just having her near.

“Great party, by the way,” Quinn laughs.

Situating myself on the lounge chair, I tuck my arm behind my head, wishing I could wrap it around Victoria instead. How can someone drive me insane in so many ways? I hate how she makes me feel, yet I sit here, craving her even more each day.

“How do you get up there?”

Glancing to see Quinn pointing to the balcony, my eyes close as I respond. “Take the kitchen staircase, and it’s the last door on the right.”

Quinn says thanks as I tell her to thank me tomorrow because I’ll need all the appreciation I can get when the torment resumes.

Tonight, I just want to sleep—without nightmares, without thinking that the person next to me bailed on me and will almost certainly do it again, and without fear that I’ll just keep going back for more when she does.