Page 29 of The Eleventh Hour

Stevie stiffens and spins around. “Ah, the black sheep. I was wondering when you were going to show up.”

“Right on time to ruin your life once again,” I snap.

“At least let me get a drink. I’m thirsty.”

“Nah, that’s what nice friends do. I had plans tonight, things I need to be doing. Earning money. Working. You wouldn’t understand any of that, would you?” I growl and grip her upper arm. She yanks hard and steps back into Mason, right where I wanted her to go.

“One down,” I mutter.

Andy sees Mason and comes rushing over. “Macey. Macey, come dance with me.”

“Take them home, Mason,” I growl.

“I think that’s a good idea, Mason. Take them home.”

I stiffen as the gruff, amused voice speaks from right behind me. Too slow. Far too fucking slow.

“Titan,” I say in a low voice.

His breath is on my neck, and I have to force myself not to shudder or move. He likes it when he sees fear. I can’t hide my fear of him easily. It takes effort. He’s disturbing to be around. Much the way you would tread cautiously around a venomous snake. Much the same way I have to tread with Sparrow. Both can end my life in a single moment. Both think they’re entitled to things I don’t want to give.

“I was just leaving,” I say softly. His hand slithers up my spine and captures my nape.

“Come and have a drink with me.” It’s not a suggestion.

“I have to work.”

“It wasn’t a request, Miss Shade.” His voice is firmer, more aggressive.

I glower at the table and notice Stevie staring at Titan with her mouth open and tears in her eyes. My heart skips a beat, and I want to howl in frustration. Would she never learn? Surely, she doesn’t have a thing for him? What the hell is she even thinking?

“Fine.” I spin on my heel and march past him to his usual booth. Lisha, a brunette with a see-through top and shorts that don’t cover her buttcheeks, glares at me and tries to block my way. We’ve had this ongoing silent fight for the last three years, where she tries to stake her claim, and I try to get out.

I grab her wrist, twist it behind her back, and pass her off to the goon standing beside the booth. I slide into the seat and lean back, pretending I don’t have a care in the world. Under the table, a hand crawls up my leg, instantly easing some of the tension.

Gideon. Oh, fuck, how is he here? I’m so happy to know I’m not alone.

Titan stops beside the table, and then grabs my wrist and yanks me out of the booth. “I changed my mind. Let’s take a walk.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“Fine.”

I walk in front of him, obeying the directions of his hand on my hip. He moves us to the hallway where the bathrooms are, and despite all my plans to stay calm and collected, I find my breathing picking up and my hands growing clammy. I look around wildly, but there is no way out. He keeps nudging me forward, past the men’s, women’s, and disabled bathrooms, and finally, to the fire exit. He pushes the door open and pushes me out into the car park.

The lights have been cut, and it’s now so dark that everything has become just dark shadows in darkness.

Titan moves against me, forcing me up against the wall.

“I don’t want this,” I say through gritted teeth.

“I do. And I don’t give a shit what you want. I missed you, Jax. Once wasn’t enough,” he whispers in my ear. He flips me around so I’m facing him and slams me back against the wall so hard my teeth snap together.

He gropes at my breasts, painfully digging into the skin, and slams his mouth on mine. I bite back instantly, fighting on instinct. He growls and pulls away, leaving a metallic taste in my mouth that makes little sense. He grunts and leans in again, forcing a thigh between my legs. I bring my hands up, curled into claws, and drag my nails down his face.

He screams, and then he’s pulled backwards, sliding across the car park. My mouth parts, but it’s like someone has his collar and has just pulled.

I hunch over and watch with wide eyes.

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