“What did the guy say to her?”
“He told her that she was his. That she had forgotten who she belonged to. It was the way he said it.” Titan looked up at the ceiling for a moment before locking eyes with her. “He put his arm around her like she was cherished and loved and told her that she needed another lesson. That’s when I caught a whiff of her scent. It went from fearful to terrified. She was terrified of that prick.”
With good reason. It turned out that Cindy’s boyfriend had been both mentally and physically abusing her for a couple of months … ever since she moved in with him. She’d asked to meet him in a public place so that she could break it off. Her stuff was packed and in the car. Titan had convinced her to testify against the asshole. Natasha was still floored at how sweet and kind he had been to Cindy. How patient. Cindy was moving in with her friend and filing a restraining order, she was also pressing charges, and all because of Titan. He’d even given Cindy his number and told her to call if her asshole ex showed up uninvited.
“What are you having?” Simon’s voice brought her back from her thoughts.
“Oh, sorry!” She shook her head. “I’ll have the chili, please.”
Titan placed his order as well. “We’ll have those as take-out,” he said.
“Yeah sure.” Simon smiled. “It’s on the house. I know how it feels to be abused like that. Thank you for helping her out. You’ll have to show me how you did that thing with your head.” Simon jerked his head forward a couple of times. He pulled a mean face while doing it.
Titan chuckled. “It’s not that difficult. Your forehead is really hard … See if you—”
“Should you really be teaching someone ‒ a civilian ‒ how to headbutt?”
“Why not?” Titan raised his brows. “Everyone should know how to defend themselves.” He looked back at Simon. “It should be used for self-defense purposes only. The key is to use your forehead, not your face, on your opponent’s face. On the nose works really well.”
“Yeah!” Simon was animated. “I saw that. And …” Simon looked her way. “I don’t intend to use it on just anyone.” He grinned. “You’re one badass bro. How much do you work out?”
“Every day. Usually for a couple of hours.”
“Hours?” Simon widened his eyes and his mouth formed a startled O. “Really?”
Titan chuckled. “Yeah, but that level of dedication isn’t necessary. An hour a day, four or five times a week and you’ll see a difference, guaranteed. You should also think about self-defense classes or taking up martial arts.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Simon nodded. “I think I might do just that. It isn’t fun being the victim.” His jaw clenched. “I still feel like a victim sometimes, even after all these years. I’m not the biggest guy around.” He lifted one of his arms.
“Size doesn’t matter as much as you think. Besides, you might not have much in the way of muscle but you’re tall and wiry.” Titan glanced her way. “Natasha can take out most males …” he cleared his throat, “men, and look how tiny she is.”
“No way!” Simon didn’t look convinced.
“Believe me, she could’ve done just as good a job as I did. Maybe even with one hand tied behind her back.”
His compliment warmed her. Natasha had to smile. “I don’t know about the one hand being tied behind my back part.”
“Quit being modest.” Titan looked back at Simon. “You can do it too.”
Simon nodded, then he looked over their heads. “It looks like your order is ready. One more thing … that day I saw my dad in the hardware store, he wasn’t alone. There was a guy with him. Older, and I remember thinking that he seemed … I don’t know.” Simon shrugged. She could see him thinking it over. “Rich, like he didn’t belong with a loser like my dad.”
“What was this guy wearing?” Natasha asked.
Simon narrowed his eyes in thought. “A business suit. No tie though. He was well groomed and had that whole salt and pepper thing going on with his hair.”
Natasha nodded. “Maybe he was the store manager.”
Simon looked at her like she was mad. “Tyler and his dad own the hardware store. I’ve never seen that guy before. At least I don’t think I have.”
“Would you recognize him if you saw him again?”
“I might.” Not as promising as she would have liked but it was something. They’d have to pull any CCTV footage they could find in the area. It was a long shot but maybe the store had footage they could use. It was probably a dead end but worth a try.
Natasha nodded. “Thank you.”
“I’ll go and fetch your food, it’s packed and ready.”
They watched as Simon picked up their order. He brought it over to them. “Are you sure you won’t stay? Drinks on the house?”
“No, we need to get going.” Titan took the bag.
“I included a slice of our famous pumpkin pie for each of you … thanks again.”
“Just doing our job,” Titan said. Natasha was sure that his cheeks turned a bit red. It was hard to tell. The lighting in the bar was understated. Titan had looked embarrassed for a second or two though. It was sweet.
They said their good-byes and headed for the rental. An understated sedan. The car packed some horsepower but didn’t scream ‘look at me’. It was perfect for their needs. Titan unlocked the vehicle and placed the bag on the back seat. Then he slid in next to her.
“I know you didn’t hurt anyone,” Natasha blurted. She couldn’t help herself.
“Let’s just get back to the hotel.” Titan started the vehicle. “It’s been a long day.”
“You couldn’t have hurt someone in that way, especially a woman.”
“I don’t know why you insist on harping on about this.” He pulled out. “I told you the truth, you can believe whatever the hell you want.” His hands tightened on the wheel.
“I will, I don’t believe you could hurt someone in that way … I just don’t. You’re a good guy, Titan.”
“You’re wrong.” There was a ton of anger and emotion behind the words. “You’re really very wrong,” he said, more softly and measured this time. “I hurt someone really badly once. I’m trying to make up for it. I’m trying to be a better person, but I’m not. Not even close.”
“You are. You don’t give yourself enough credit. What you did for that lady back there …” She pointed at the bar.
“Anyone would have done the same.”
“No, they wouldn’t have. It’s nuts how many people see abuse going on right under their noses and choose to turn the other cheek. It takes guts to stand up like that.”
Titan snorted. “That human male didn’t stand a chance against me. Guts my ass.”
“You genuinely cared about Cindy. You took the time and the effort to help her, you were so nice to her afterwards. Most people couldn’t be bothered.”
“It doesn’t change my past,” he growled. “I don’t want to talk about this.” She watched him shut down.
He’d said that she could believe whatever she wanted and she would. Titan was a good guy. He may not believe it himself but that didn’t make him a bad person. It didn’t. There had to be some reasonable explanation for what happened in his past. She just knew it.
12
Natasha opened her eyes. The room was dark and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. The bed was huge. It was a king size. The sheets were soft, a higher thread count than she was used to. They smelled freshly laundered. The room was pitch black because of the blackout curtains. Not even the light from the moon slipped into the space. She was just reaching for the switch to the lamp on the side table when she heard a noise. A creak of a floorboard and the sound of a whispered word. Maybe it was the wind. Maybe she was still half asleep. There was another creak, closer this time. Not her imagination!
The air seized in her lungs. She didn’t want to move for fear of alerting whoever it was on the other side of the door. There was definitely someone there and they didn�
��t belong.
The hotel had moved her to the eleventh floor. The penthouse suites were on the top floor. The best view and the most spacious abodes. This apartment had two bedrooms, a lounge and dining area and even a kitchenette. They turned down beds on the eleventh floor. They replaced those little bottles of shampoo and body wash daily. There was even a complimentary bottle of still water waiting for her when she got home and a robe folded neatly on the bed.
Whoever was in the next room was in her apartment … uninvited. If someone had whispered, it meant that there was at least one other person, possibly more.
Shit!
Her Glock was in a holster beside her bed. She had no choice but to get her hands on it even if it meant tipping the assholes off. Moving quickly, but as quietly as possible, she reached for her gun, unclipped the holster and felt instant calm as the cool metal of the weapon fit perfectly against her hand. She unclicked the safety just as her bedroom door slowly cracked open.
For just a second, her hand shook. Some of her more recent fears and self-doubts rose up in her but she pushed them down. Screw it! Whomever it was in her room was uninvited and here to cause her harm. One way or another, they were there to hurt her. If need be, she was fighting back and not taking any prisoners. The door opened further, slowly and quietly. They were hoping not to wake her. Too late, assholes!
Natasha could make out a silhouette, it was of a medium built man, there was a gun in his hand. It was her or him. Simple. She squeezed the trigger, once, twice, heart and head. Kill shots. He dropped. Dead before he even realized it.
There was a harsh snapping noise that reminded her of wood breaking, this was followed by a loud exhale and another crashing noise as someone fell as deadweight. It was a sound she had heard enough times.
What the hell? That didn’t make sense. The next silhouette to fill her door was huge. Her hand tightened on the trigger. He was familiar so she eased her hand off the trigger. No human could be that big.
“It’s me.” It was the deep rasp she’d come to know well.
“Titan?” Her voice was calm even though her heart beat like mad.
“Yeah.”
She pushed out a heavy breath and lowered her weapon. “I could’ve shot you.” She clicked on the safety.
“But you didn’t.” She thought she detected a hint of humor.
“We’d better call this in.”
“I’m pretty sure that half of this floor heard that shot.” He leaned up against the jamb. “The cavalry is on its way.”
“Still.” She fell back against the pillows. There were a ton of them, thick, soft and filled with clouds. At least that’s what they felt like. After pulling in a couple of much-needed breaths, she reached over and pushed the switch, turning on the light. The lamp gave the perfect glow. Enough to read and to … well, to see naked men with. Natasha felt her eyes widen and her throat close. Flipping hell, but you’re damned sexy naked.
His shoulders stiffened. Titan stood up straight. His gorgeous cock swayed slightly. “That’s not really appropriate.”
Oh shit! Had she really said that out loud? Oops! “You’re naked and in my room. Who’s the pot calling the kettle black?”
“What?” he frowned. “What do kitchen utensils have to do with it? I heard them break into your suite and here I am.” He opened his arms. “I sleep naked, I didn’t think I had time to get dressed.”
“You might want to …” She pointed at his dick ‒ so darned pretty. Long, thick, slightly curved ‒ he swallowed hard, forcing her gaze back to his narrowed eyes. “Before the cavalry get here.” She threw off the covers and got out of bed.
When she turned to Titan his mouth hung at half-mast and his eyes were tracking her body … hungrily. Shit! She looked down at her white t-shirt and cotton shorts. Oops!
Holy shit!
His dick twitched. The thing moved of its own damned accord. Not just that, it wasn’t hanging free anymore, it was semi-erect and growing fast.
Titan covered his junk with one hand. “I’ll go and change. I would suggest you do the same,” his voice was gruff. “I’m next door. You should wait there.”
Oh! He was next door. Natasha hadn’t known that little nugget of information. Was her being here, in this exact room, a coincidence? Somehow, she doubted it.
Titan had never felt so tired in his whole damned life. To make matters worse, he was behind on checking the surveillance recordings and videos. He’d been changing tapes when he’d heard the noise next door. He thanked the gods for his decision to move her close to him, then again ‒ Titan smiled ‒ Natasha could handle herself, she would probably have been just fine. Her ability to take down an enemy was seriously fucking arousing. Almost as arousing as her body. Fuck! Best he not think about it right now. Best he not think about the scent of her arousal while she had eye-fucked him earlier either.
He didn’t understand the female. He’d explained to her what she was dealing with. What kind of a male he was. Who he was and what he had done, and yet she was still attracted to him. Then again, just because she scented of arousal didn’t meant that she wanted him in any way. He knew that a human female’s mind was not always in agreement with her body. He eased out a pent-up breath.
There was yellow tape across her door with the words ‘No Entrance’ and ‘Police Investigation’ written on it. “Shit,” she announced, fingering the tape. “What now?” Natasha looked at her watch. “I guess it’s almost morning. We may as well have stayed at the office and grabbed breakfast there.” They’d filled out reports and answered a whole lot of questions. The bodies had been identified. They were both small-time criminals, both locals to Sweetwater.
Titan shook his head. “We need to catch a few hours’ sleep. I have a spare bedroom.” He hadn’t just said that. No fucking way. The last thing he wanted was her in his space. It was bad enough that they were together all day. This female would get in the way. Not just physically but … in other ways as well. “Just for tonight,” he added in a gruff tone. He should get her another room and right this second, but he couldn’t help but worry about her safety. Sure, she was strong and well-trained but what if they sent more armed males next time? What if they sent too many for her to tackle alone? Fuck! This was fucked up on every level.
“I can see you hate the idea. I’ll try to see if they have another room for me.” She started to turn.
“No!” A soft growl.
“Shhhh.” Natasha put her finger to her lips. “We’ll wake up the neighbors … again.”
“I don’t relish the idea of sharing but we don’t have too much of a choice. I have two rooms in my apartment so it makes sense,” he added when she looked skeptical.
Natasha put her hands on her hips. “Are you sure about this?”
“It’ll only be for a couple of hours. Look,” he pulled in a breath through his nose, “if you don’t feel comfortable being in the same …”
Natasha rolled her eyes. “I told you, I think you’re a good guy. It’s you who has the problem, not me. I’m more than fine sharing.” She yawned. “I’m totally beat and you look like hell.”
“Thanks,” he grumbled. He felt like hell!
“No, really. I’m a bit worried about seeing your apartment. It can’t be anything as lovely as mine. The pillows can’t be as comfortable and the sheets as soft.”
“It’s perfectly fine.”
“Why aren’t you sleeping then?”
“I’m sleeping fine.” It wasn’t an outright lie, he was sleeping great, when he actually allowed himself to sleep. He shouldn’t sleep though, he had work to do. Titan would catch a power nap and then it was back to work.
She sighed, rubbing her eyes. Titan used the keycard and they entered his apartment.
Natasha walked a circle in the living area. “It’s exactly the same as mine.” She opened one of the bedroom doors. “Same bed even. You should be sleeping like a baby.”
Titan ignored the human. He slipped the chain across the lock. Th
en he picked up the wingback chair and put that against the door as well. By the time an intruder breached that, he’d be ready and waiting.
“I’m assuming you’re doing that because there were no signs of breaking and entering at my apartment,” Natasha said from behind him.
“Exactly, they managed to get their hands on one of the keycards. It could happen again.”
She made a sound of agreement. “I don’t know if I buy the whole armed robbery gone wrong thing.”
The officer handling the case was convinced. Titan had his reservations as well though. “I don’t believe in coincidences. First the spray paint on your door and then two armed males decided to enter your apartment. I don’t buy it.”
“Yeah, me neither. Especially considering my purse was on the coffee table in the living room. The flat screen television was in there as well. They were both armed to the teeth. Not the normal MO for petty crime. I’m sure they were after me.”
Titan clenched his jaw. He had an unreasonable urge to pull her behind him. To protect her from this unseen, unknown foe. He gulped in a few much-needed breaths.
“Are you okay?”
“Just pissed that they were right here. You could have been seriously hurt.”
She shook her head. “They were amateurs. I actually feel a bit bad they’re dead. I have this bad habit of going for the kill shot.”
“Good! You were right to do so.” Titan shook his head. “They would not have hesitated to hurt you. If anyone comes after you again and I can’t protect you, you need to promise me that you’ll take them down.”
She cocked her head to the side and folded her arms. The female looked at him like he’d just grown horns and a tail. “I can take care of myself.”
Titan snorted. “I know that. Fuck! It’s one of the things I really like about you, but …” What the fuck had he just said? He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. Titan chose to ignore his words and continue instead. “If need be, you take them down. You do what it takes to stay safe.” He caught a look on her face that told him she thought he was full of shit and quite frankly he wasn’t sure why he was harping on about this. “Just promise already, damn it!”
A Mate for Titan (The Program Book 7) Page 12
