Page 31 of Seeking Salvation

“Because I never want you to forget that you made the right choice in the end. That those kids, my wife, my whole world, are happy and thriving because, ultimately, you walked away from the hate and allowed love to win.”

Titan was shocked by that, but he shouldn’t be. Mitch had always been the best of them growing up. Even with the age difference between them, he’d known it in his young brain. He’d just forgotten when the grief got too much and vengeance had been the only thing keeping him alive. “It was a close call.”

Mitch looked at him, his brow furrowed. “Bullshit. Autumn told me every detail about that day and do you know the thing that sticks out to her the most about all of it?”

Titan shook his head again.

“Maggie. How she’d laid her head on your shoulder and felt relaxed enough to sleep. That little girl trusted you, and you treated her with nothing but gentleness.”

“She saved me.”

“They saved me too, brother.”

Titan felt his body prickle with relief when Mitch called him that. He’d forfeited that right a long time ago and yet hearing it settled something inside him. “I have a son.”

Mitch nodded slowly. “I heard.”

Titan chuckled. He shouldn’t be surprised. Everything Shadow knew, Eidolon knew first. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Yeah, you do. You love him and you teach him how to navigate this world in a healthy way.”

“What if I can’t?”

Mitch cupped the back of his neck, tight. “You can and you will. Give him the life you never had. Give him that security you craved.”

“It’s complicated, but I’ll have to raise him on my own by the looks of it.”

“Mother not want him?”

So they didn’t know everything. “She’s dead. His aunt is caring for him right now and she’s in trouble with some bad people.”

“I’m real sorry to hear that, but she couldn’t have found herself a better man to step up and you’re not alone.”

“You really believe that, don’t you?”

“I do. You’ll fix this situation and raise your son to become a better man than us.”

Titan couldn’t help the snort. “Than me, definitely, but there isn’t a better man than you, Mitch.”

Mitch laughed and released his neck, putting some space between them. “Can you tell my wife that?”

“She knows. She’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one. I don’t deserve a woman like Autumn, God knows it.”

Titan grinned. “You are kinda punching above your weight with her.”

“No ‘kinda’ about it. I’m definitely not in her league.”

“True dat.”

Titan kicked at the ground feeling more positive and calmer than he had since Tyrique had entered his life.

“So the aunt. She nice?”

Titan thought about Maya, her fierceness, her protective streak, her absolute love and devotion to Tyrique, and lastly how she made him feel like he was on a roller coaster with his arms in the air, pure joy pumping through his veins. “She’s amazing.”

Mitch laughed then, a full belly laugh that had Titan frowning. “Did I miss something?”

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