Page 57 of Deadliest Throne

“Shut the fuck up.” Taylor slaps Hunter upside the head.

Titus laughs. “We’re not dating her.”

“Then why are you saying she’s your girl?” Taylor asks.

“Because she is.” He gives him a wicked grin. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Otto and Arcadius chuckle softly as they head toward the front door, and I get a feeling that this poor girl has no idea what's coming for her.

Link, Hunter and Taylor follow after them but Quinton steps in front of me. “Hey,” he says. “I just wanted to talk for a second. I know what you're feeling and it feels awful. Like you're the biggest fuck up in the world. Like you’ve failed at protecting the thing you love the most.”

“Thanks,” I snort, his words a kick in the gut.

"But," he raises a brow. "What you need to remember is you're only human. And no, it's not going to be easy to work past this, hell you may never. But don't let this bring you down. It will only hurt Raven in the long run, seeing you beat yourself up. She will forgive you because she knows you tried everything. That's all we can do is try."

I’m hearing his words, and I do appreciate it, but it does nothing to help.

“Thanks,” I nod.

He claps me on the shoulder before heading out.

As I go to follow after him, Titus steps in front of Taylor and me. “Look, before we go out there, I wanted to tell you something. I tried.” He looks between the two of us. “I tried to save you. But...” he sighs, pausing. “I made sure he didn’t come for you. I kept him busy with the promise that one day, we’d bring you back to him. A promise we never planned on keeping. I’m glad you had a good life. I’m glad you found yourself a woman worth fighting for.”

“Thanks.” I nod.

“At least you didn’t turn out like him,” Taylor adds.

Titus’s eyes go dark. “The greatest day of my life was putting a bullet between his eyes. I’d rather fight through the pits of hell than ever be like that bastard.”

Taylor and I look at each other and nod. We don't know how much of that to believe, but we don't have time to think about it. “Okay,” I tell him.

Titus nods. “Okay. Now, let’s go get our girls.”

Chapter 17

Raven

Another night has passed, and I’m doing my best not to freak out, but it’s hard.

What if the guys can't find me? What if they already did, tried to get to me, and my father's men killed them?

No, no I can’t think that way. I need to be positive. My men wouldn’t go down easily. They’re coming for me, I can feel it in my soul.

I’m sitting on the windowsill bench, watching the rain when I feel Baby Bird kick, pulling my attention away from the window. I place my hand over the spot and smile. “It’s okay, baby girl,” I tell her, rubbing my belly. “We’re going to be okay.”

Thunder crashes outside, making me jump. My attention is brought back to the window as the rain beats down against the glass hard. It's been storming since last night.

If I were back home, I'd be lying in bed or curled up on the couch listening to the sounds of the rain against the roof. It relaxes me, settles something inside me.

Right now, it does nothing but fill me with unease.

“Raven?” Dynika’s voice calls from the door. The lights above us flicker and both of us look up. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I sigh. It’s a lie, and I can tell she knows it too.

“How’s the baby?” she asks, smiling as she steps inside the room and closes the door behind her.

“Good.” I laugh. “I think she’s getting bored in there.”

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