Page 120 of Titan

It wasn’t surprising in the slightest. Zayn took his responsibility as head of the family very seriously.

“Enzo is being a little shit.”

Ari laughed and shook her head.

“Yeah, but he’s endearing in his own way, at least when he chooses to be. Sometimes I think he deliberately pisses Zayn off to get a reaction out of him, but he rarely ever rises to the bait. Not like with me, but that’s different.”

I nodded before I moved towards the doorway of the office, meaning to go back into the kitchen to see Theia. I was worried about leaving her for too long. Pausing in the doorway, I looked back at Ari.

“I’m pretty suredaddywould be rather put out if you didn’t brat him.”

I caught her blush before I walked out of the room. If she thought I hadn’t noticed what she called him and their relationship, she was mistaken. I didn’t judge them for it, just found it funny how they tried to keep it under wraps when everyone close to them knew what was happening. Zayn had always taken care of everyone he loved, so to see him in a caregiver relationship with his girlfriend was unsurprising. I hoped they realised they didn’t have to hide it from us sooner rather than later.

Thirty Nine

Theia

The moment Gil left the kitchen, I panicked inside. I was stuck with my boss, his second-in-command, and Gil’s cousin, who didn’t talk all that much. Rina and Arlo had their heads together, quietly whispering to one another, making them entirely unapproachable. Zayn was watching the doorway Gil and Ari had left by as if he was concerned about what they would be discussing. I looked down at my empty plate and fiddled with the dark tablecloth, trying not to bring attention to myself.

Why did he have to leave me on my own?

I already knew. Gil had explained to me why he needed to talk to Zayn’s girlfriend before we came here, but it didn’t make it any easier on me. What the hell did I even say to Zayn? I’d mostly made small talk with him when we passed each other in the hallways of Desecration, but now I was dating his brother. And I knew he was the reason I’d been rescued. It made it supremely awkward for me. I didn’t know whether to bring it up or thank him. A part of me wanted to. He’d set me free from the nightmare that was being kept as a sex slave for people who were cruel and cared little about me. He had to understand why it was significant for me, but would it be strange if I did thank him? Gil had said Zayn kept this part of his life a secret, but he knew I knew.

Fuck, why did this have to be so difficult? I should be able to thank the man who’d helped me without it being awkward and weird.

I need you to come back as soon as fucking possible, Gil.

I was so lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t realise Zayn had moved from his spot and had taken Gil’s vacated seat until he set his hand on the table. My body jolted, my head whipping up to meet his dark eyes. He looked so much like his brother it was almost uncanny. Of course, the neck tattoos gave him away, but it still took me a second to register it was him rather than my boyfriend.

“You looked a little lost,” he said, keeping his voice low.

“I did?”

“Mmm. It’s okay, Theia. I know it’s weird for you with me being your boss, but I want to assure you nothing will change at work.”

“I wasn’t worried about that.”

He cocked his head to the side.

“No?”

I dropped my hands into my lap, wringing them together under the table.

“I was trying to work out if it was okay to… to thank you.”

Zayn was silent for a moment, his eyes assessing me before he leaned closer.

“You don’t need to do that, but I appreciate it all the same.”

My eyes went to the table. He knew exactly what I was thanking him for.

“I think I do. You’re responsible for saving my life. I mean, I know it was technically your people who did, but if it wasn’t for you… I don’t know what I would have done if I had to stay in that place.”

My voice broke a little with my words.

“What you do for people you don’t even know is… well, it’s everything.” I placed my hand on my chest, trying to stop the pounding of my heart. “I… I wanted to die every single day I was there, and when I was rescued and cared for, it gave me hope that not everyone in this world was as cruel as everyone in that place. Then I felt like I had a new chance at life when I was able to work at Desecration. It helped me cope with everything I’d been through. I just wanted you to know what you do matters to everyone you save. It’s a lifeline for them.”

Zayn blinked as if he wasn’t expecting me to be this grateful for what he’d done for me. He reached out and took my hand from my chest. I could see my words had affected him from the way his eyes grew warm and full of wonder.

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