Page 25 of Poisoned Roses

I am that man.

Mikhail, my brother, excels at the security side of our business and would have been my first choice to deal with Leo. Arman is equally ruthless, despite the fact he pushes a pen for a living. Valentin would have stepped up, along with Alexei, but last night was personal. Last night wasmyfight and even though I don’t fight often, it doesn’t disguise my love for it.

It invigorates me, and when I read the news reports of Leo’s demise, a soft smile of satisfaction remained on my lips for the duration of the day. He may as well be dead rather than the living hell he is in, and I have no remorse for gifting it to him.

He touched my future wife against her will. He laid his hands on her in anger and marked her perfect skin. If Simeon hadn’t stopped him, he would have forced his way inside her and tainted her soul forever. Just thinking of it causes the beast to roar inside me and my anger takes over as I toss the glass and its contents into the fire, the effects of which cause a blaze that intensifies the flames but I don’t flinch. I am the fire and I understand it. If someone pours fuel on the fire inside me, it invokes a catastrophic reaction and consumes anyone who dares intervene.

As the flames settle down, I adjust my mood accordingly and a movement by the door drags my attention from the fire and what I see blurs my vision. It’s as if a star has fallen into the room and blinds me to anything else.

Tia is wearing a black dress that hugs her figure as it drapes in waves toward the floor. Long white gloves are an elegant addition as is the pearl choker around her neck. Her hair hasbeen pulled back away from her face which accentuates her slender neck and huge blue eyes and is secured in a chignon with a black feather comb. However, what I love most is her expression which is a mixture of nerves and fear.

I hold out my hand, which is an odd thing for me to do, and motion for her to join me beside the flickering fire.

“You are beautiful, Tia.”

A gentle smile accompanies my words and as she meets me, my hand instinctively finds hers and I wonder why I can suddenly breathe again.

“Titus.” She says my name with a slight tremble to her voice and, as she stares into my eyes, she whispers, “I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

It’s as if her words take forever to answer me and she whispers, “Nadia never returned with the ring.”

“The ring?” I shrug. “Did she call? Perhaps she is sick. It happens.”

“No and–”

I note the misery in her eyes. “And what?”

“Leo?”

I say nothing and merely study her with curiosity rather than guilt.

“He was hit by a car and, well, they couldn’t save his legs. He’s in a bad way and will never dance again.”

I say nothing and the anxiety in her expression reminds me of how amazing she is. To be upset for a man who tried to rape her demonstrates a strength of spirit I admire and I say softly, “Accidents are the reason you must live your life every day as if it’s your last. None of us know what fate is planning on our behalf and putting things off until tomorrow may mean they never get done.”

She nods and bites her lower lip, revealing her nerves.

“But the ring? Aren’t you angry?”

Angry. It amuses me because if she considers me angry now, she wouldn’t believe who I become when I am.

“I’m not angry, Tia.”

I note her relief replaces uncertainty and I tighten my hold on her hand, running my thumb over the finger, missing the ring and whisper, “Gloves was a good choice. It effectively removes unwanted questions.”

“But what if she doesn’t come back? What if?–”

She blinks quickly. “What if shenevercomes back? That’s one huge temptation I placed on her finger and I know she has little money. What if she was robbed on her way home? I am so worried about her.”

“I will investigate. The problem is mine, not yours, and if the ring never shows up, we will get another one. One that you can choose this time. One that wasn’t thrust upon you unexpectedly.”

I reassure her and note the disbelief on her face as she gasps, “Get another one!” She shakes her head. “I will never understand the wealth you enjoy, Titus. It is unbelievable.”

I shrug nonchalantly. “What is wealth to you, Tia, because it may be very different to what it means to me?”

“I don’t understand.”

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