Page 65 of Truck Stop Titan

On the sink sat two boxes. Pregnancy tests with a note shoved in-between that read:If you say so. T

Tito.

Effin’ Tito.

Dane

FUCKING TITO. GOD, I’Dnever be able to repay the monumental solid he’d done, getting me to Shelbyville on the fly.

Soon as Moriah locked herself in the bathroom, I joined Moretti outside, where he waited by the running yellow cab.

“Moretti,” I grunted, lighting a hand-rolled, desperate for a quick hit.

“Reynolds.”

I pulled a long drag. Held it. Exhaled. “Appreciate your help.”

“Been entertaining to say the least.” He handed his duffel to the cab driver, who then opened the trunk and tossed the thing inside. Tito made to get in the back seat, then paused. Faced me again.

“Gonna need you back soon. No fuckin’ around with this one.” He pointed to the house. “Do what you gotta do, get back. Lettie’s in no shape to take care of that big house by herself. Tucker’s in no shape to do a run, and I got a shit-ton of leads. Could use you on the road.”

Although I respected what Tito and Tucker did on their “runs,” their gig was for guys with any sort of a moral code. I had none. Also, I resented the orders flying my way, so I threw out an, “I’m not up for that shit.”

“No?” He came toe-to-toe, snarl curling his lip. “Go back inside, take a long, hard look at that little girl, remember what they did to her, tell me your chest doesn’t hurt, your insides don’t boil over thinking ’bout other kids suffering the same fate, then tell me you’re not up for that shit.”

Fucker was right.

Still. I wasn’t about to say so. And I sure as hell would not consider leaving without my girls.

Tito dangled another carrot. “You say the word, I’ll make sure Moriah doesn’t get a job in this town. Give her no choice but to accept Carlos’s offer.”

Tempting. Would’ve made things easier if I’d let Tito work his magic, true, but Moriah’s fate wasn’t mine to manipulate. “Not sure I feel right about doin’ her that way.”

“Have a little faith, my man. She’ll choose right.” The prick clapped a hand on my shoulder. Smirked. “Never thought I’d see the day. Dane Reynolds going soft for a couple of girls.”

“Fuck off.”

He laughed, folded into the cab, said, “See ya in a few days.” Slammed the door. Left me alone with my cancer stick.

Minute later, Mim joined me outside, and fuck if I didn’t ditch my half-finished smoke for that little nugget. I’d never ditched a cigarette for anyone.

Standing at my side, she blinked big, sleepy eyes at me, and wore a smile brighter than the morning sun. Damn, my chest swelled, threatening to burst. She slid her fingers through mine and leaned into me, giving me the full weight of that little sack of skin and bones.

Fuck all. I was done for. I scooped her up, set her on my shoulders, and mumbled, “I missed you too, Little Lady,” then gave her knees a squeeze. “Whaddya say we check out the neighborhood?”

Wasn’t expecting an answer, but when she hummed, “Mmhmm,” and bounced up and down, that tiny little creature proved herself a Titan, powerful and mighty, breaking through the prison walls that sick fuck had forced her into, and dead set on conquering the mountains of bullshit that I’d built around myself.

Through the open door, I shouted, “Mim and I are taking a walk.”

Moriah popped around the corner, her hair wrapped in a pink towel, another one wrapped around her body, her bare legs on full display, and damn. Damn. I’d always been a breast man but consider me converted.

It was because of those toned beauties that it took me too damn long to notice the lack of color in her face. And guilt. I could swear, the woman looked guilty as sin.

“What is it?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, coming our way.

Had Mim not been sitting on my shoulders, I would’ve plowed through the door and forced a confession.

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