Page 2 of Hayes
My mouth falls open as my eyes shoot wide. There’s no hiding my shock.
“Your second? But what about Mackenzie, Cooper, or even…”
“No, I don’t trust any of them. Not with the Retribution Kings. Not with my life.”
I frown. “But I’ve already betrayed the Retribution Kings before. No one trusts me.”
“Exactly, no one can bribe you. The only man here you’d put before me is Gage—and he’s good at security.”
“Which is why if you were to offer either of us the position, you should offer it to Gage. He’s much better at gathering intel and keeping others safe.” I should know since that’s what he’s currently doing.
“Yea, he’s good at that, and I’m sure he’s listening in on this conversation at this very moment. And I need him too. I need him protecting the Retribution Kings. I need him securing our borders and protecting our people. He’s already accepted the job as my head of security.”
I raise a brow as Titus continues.
“My second is public-facing. He’s the man people talk to before they talk to me. I need a man who can charm anyone. Someone who can spy on anyone while standing right next to them and them none the wiser. A man who can put anyone at ease, while he persuades them to my causes.”
I take another sip, giving me a second to prepare my reply. “I can’t charm anyone that doesn’t already want to be charmed. You can feel the looks in the crowd. Most of the men here hate me.”
“And yet, you’re not dead. Why do you think that is?” He cocks his head, looking at me like he already knows the answer. It’s why he chose me.
I swallow. “I don’t think I’m the best man for the job.”
“Except you are. You’ve played second to others before, to Lennox—”
“And look how that turned out. I’m his enemy now.”
“Yea, okay.” Titus stops talking and lets a heavy pause pass between us as he looks out at the crowd. Together we scan the women in beautiful dresses and men in fine tuxes, all here to celebrate him.
“I’ll consider your offer,” I tell him.
His lips turn up. “Good. I’m not offering the job to anyone else.”
I swallow hard. Titus and I go way back. We used to be friends, but he was never part of our circle. He never thought he’d be the leader, never thought he’d have a chance at power.
Despite that, or maybe because of that, I think Titus will be a good leader. But I’m not sure if I can trust him yet.
The eyes of the crowd burn into us, so I do what I always do. I grin like I love basking in the attention. Then I wink at the nearby sexy woman in the too-tight black dress, one of many vying for my attention.
Titus chuckles. “Say yes.”
“What?”
“Be my second. I don’t know how you do it, but with one fucking grin, every woman’s panties are drenched with desire for you. And several of the men can’t help themselves; their lips are lifting.”
“You don’t need me to get anyone to like you. You won the leadership. Everyone already likes you.”
Titus shakes his head. “I may have won and become the leader, but that doesn’t mean everyone likes me. Our group is divided after everything that’s happened. At some point, I’ll make a decision that will piss some faction off. And that’s why I need you. You can enchant anyone.”
“You put too much faith in me.”
“Maybe, but there is no one else better. I trust you.”
“You shouldn’t. You’re the leader of the Retribution Kings—the only way you stay the leader is if you trust no one.”
“Or if I trust the right people.”
I take a deep breath, already knowing what my decision will be. It’s why I came back. Having Titus’s trust and some of his power will help us complete our mission faster than we thought.
