Page 160 of The Betrayal

“What?” the bite to his British accent makes me stiffen in my seat.

“Arizona is gone,” Titus just about manages. He chokes up, fist balled and pressed against his lips.

“That cunt,” Xavier growls

“Meeting at the office.”

“I'll be right there,” I can hear him moving around, “I’ll grab Killian too,” and then the phone cuts off.

The drive is short and quiet. Both of our minds are in overdrive, and I don't know about Titus but I am terrified.

Titus abandons the car in his spot and we're the first ones here. I follow Titus to the elevator, and we ride up in silence. There is so much I want to say but I don't. I stay mute and keep my thoughts on Arizona.

She will be okay. She has to be.

I stroll into the office, hands in my pocket and Titus rushes to his computer. I feel like a spare part. I have no idea what to do. I don't get involved in their operations much. I offer up a hand when needed but I crunch numbers. Not the same in working out a kidnapping. That's Titus and Kaleb. Nate too I suppose. He is the brains behind it. Will know the ins and outs.

“How certain are we that it's this Wolfe guy?” I squeeze the words out my tight throat. Wish my heart would slow. Feel like I can't catch a breath.

Titus is bent over his desk, fingers on his keyboard when he turns his face to look at me.

“One hundred fucking percent.”

I grab the bin from the floor and empty the contents of my stomach.

“Shit,” Titus groans, tutting as he walks past me to grab me a bottle of water from the fridge. He passes it to me and gives me a solid, hard, pat on the back and I swear he shifts a lung.

“Thanks,” I grumble, opening the top and drinking half the bottle.

I feel like such an idiot for acting like this. She is Titus's blood, and he is cool and collected. Or is he? Beads of sweat appear on his brow, the vein in his neck throbs at a fast pace proving that his heart is racing just like mine is. He is agitated and fidgety. Fingers keep tapping, foot keeps shuffling and when he eventually takes a seat, his leg is bobbing up and down.

Kaleb bursts through the elevator and paces himself over to me with four long strides, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“We will get her back,” he breaks away, hands on my cheeks as his eyes burn into mine and all I can do is nod. I heave in a deep breath and flashbacks from when Reese was taken plague me. My chest is hollow. Have never felt an emptiness like the one that consumes me in this moment.

He moves to Titus and gives him a shoulder squeeze and only then do I see the facade slip, the tears spilling in his eyes and when my brother consoles him, he breaks.

“Come on now lads,” Xavier chimes walking in with Killian, “it aint a fucking funeral, is it? We will find the weasel cunt and end him before he can even lay a finger on Arizona.”

“Would he hurt her?” I ask as Killian gives me a pat on the shoulder.

Titus and Xavi look at each other before their eyes land on me. They don't even have to say anything. I forgot Titus had to live with him and witness how he treated Amora. The man was as evil as they come.

I hadn't even noticed Nate sneak in. He was already deep in his computer.

Titus sits back down, and he looks wrecked all of a sudden.

“What time did you last see Ari?” Nate asks me and I hear a breathy sigh from Titus.

“Last night, me and Titus got into...”

“He didn't tell me Ari was in hospital, I only found out because Amora had an appointment with Dr Kyra. Conversations were had and that's how I found out my daughter was on bed rest in hospital.”

“Wait,” Killian stammers, “she's in hospital? Is she okay?”

“She's...” and I am cut off by Xavier.

“Enough of the pleasantries for fuck’s sake, so, Nate, in answer to your question it was last night.”

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