Page 37 of Vicious Titan

25

Elliot

So far, the day has been amazing. I woke up with Victoria in my arms and she didn’t have to run off a minute earlier to hide the fact that she was at my house. Victor might be less than pleased she hadn’t returned home last night, but that doesn’t concern me. The one thing that does is I haven’t seen or heard from Asher all day. I wrote it off as him still being pissed at me but that doesn’t make me feel any better, especially as Victoria approaches, concern on her face.

“Have you heard from Asher? I haven’t seen him or Quinn all day. And neither are responding to my messages.”

“Ah. That explains it. Maybe he finally decided it was time to kiss, fuck, and make up.”

Her lips form a thin line as she gives me a frustrated stare. “I really don’t want to hear stuff like that about my brother.”

Chuckling, I pull her against me. “Well, can we talk about us kissing, fucking, and making up?”

Her eyes close as she shakes her head. “We’re not fighting, so no, we can’t.”

“I’m willing to pick a fight, just a small one if need be.”

“Shocking,” she says, heading to her car.

“Your house or mine?” I yell across the parking lot, laughing as she gives me a sneer when a few of our classmates look between us.

“Mine,” she says, dropping into her car as I snicker. Maybe I won’t have to pick a small fight because she looks like she’s already about to choke me.

Following her, I drive to her house, then walk through the open garage bay door and trail behind her into the house.

Her back to me, she stops abruptly, taking in the sight of Asher and Monica standing in the kitchen appearing to be in the middle of a very tense conversation.

“What’s going on?” she whispers as I step behind her, looping a protective arm around her waist. Asher peers at my arm securely around his sister before his furious eyes meet mine. But I don’t remove it. This is the shit he was referring to. It’s hit the fan. There’s something happening that's going to change everything, and I won’t let her go through it on her own.

“Victoria.” Monica moves towards us, her remorseful eyes on Victoria as she too notes my arm around Victoria. What the hell is going on? What are they trying to shield her from now, or at least attempting to lessen the impact of?

“Is Dad okay? Did something happen?” she tenses under my arm, her gaze darting between her mother and brother. “Will someone tell me what’s going on?”

“Victoria, calm down. Come have a seat and I’ll explain.”

She moves away from me, stepping in front of Monica. “Just tell me. Is he okay?”

Monica hesitates, letting Asher step up—as she always has. “The police arrested our father today on fraud and embezzlement charges.”

“What?” Victoria asks, her hand gripping the counter as she leans against it. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a long story, Victoria, but don’t worry. Everything will be okay,” Monica reassures Victoria. But she doesn’t look convinced, and I can’t say I am either. “I’ve been working with Nathan for some time to make sure everything was in place, and it has fallen into place as best we could hope for. I’m assuming a position on the board at Ruby Flame and your brother has stepped up, also, to ensure this family stays intact.”

“Keep the family intact?What family? My dad’s been arrested, and you’re worried about the company. Or do you mean you want to keep your lavish lifestyle intact? All your prized possessions? Because that is all you give a fuck about.”

My feet move in slow motion when I recognize Monica’s intention. Her arm lifts, and faster than I can step between them, her hand slaps across Victoria’s face with a sound that guts me because I didn’t prevent her pain. Victoria cups her cheek, a sob escaping that rips through my core, sending my rage soaring as I step in front of Victoria. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re her mother or not, lay another hand on her and it will be your last mistake.”

I see Victoria hurry out of the kitchen from the corner of my eye, and with a scathing look, Monica quickly darts out of the room in the opposite direction, leaving me unable to move as I regain my composure. Asher steps in my direction, fury flashing across his face. “You need to go. This doesn’t concern you.”

“She is my concern, and after all the beatings you got from your piece of shit dad, it should be your concern that she was just slapped across the face by your mother.”

Asher tilts his head to the side. “Maybe Victoria deserved it.”

“Don’t. Test. Me.” Because it will be her, always her. And no one deserves to be hit by the person who should be protecting them.

“Or what? You’ve been screwing around for five minutes, so now you’re going to swoop in and save her?”

Yes. I plan to save her, but I also never know when to keep my mouth shut, and I’m not about to start now. He wants the truth. Here it is. “Months. She’s been in my bed for months.”