Page 107 of Titan

“Hmm, okay, whatever you say.” He shoved the door to his office open. “Just remember that next time my Fixer decides to proposition you for the night because, for the record, that’s exactly what he was doing.”

I didn’t know how to respond. It hadn’t been clear to me, but maybe it should have.

“I thought you said he was interested in Remi.”

Zayn scoffed as he went into his office.

“It doesn’t mean Penn doesn’t try to fuck anything that moves, Gil. He’s not exactly picky. Anyway, come on, we have some more things to discuss, specifically when you and Theia are going to come over to dinner so you can have a talk with Ari.”

I sighed and followed him in. Knowing Zayn, I wouldn’t get out of having dinner at his house. Would Theia be okay with that happening, considering he was her boss? The only way I’d know was by asking, and I wasn’t entirely looking forward to collecting her later. I was going to have to deliver a hell of a lot of bad news to my girl. I only hoped my being there for her would be enough to get her through it.

Thirty Five

Theia

Gil was very quiet on the way back from the club after I finished my shift. He barely kissed me hello when he collected me, something that shouldn’t have hurt my feelings, but it did. I’d got used to him being affectionate since we’d got together. To have that taken away all of a sudden had my heart aching in the most disconcerting way. The only thing he’d said to me before we got in the car was he’d got the clothes from my flat as I’d asked. I didn’t know what was wrong. He hadn’t been all broody when he dropped me off earlier.

When we arrived at his building, he pulled a bag from the boot before we made our way over to the lifts. He didn’t even hold my hand. My fingers rubbed together as we rode up in the lift, bereft of his touch. I almost asked him what was going on but refrained, knowing Gil would only talk when he was ready. Something was clearly bothering him.

He strode out of the lift and unlocked the front door of his penthouse when the lift doors opened. I watched him take my bag with him towards the bedroom, leaving me standing just inside the door wringing my hands together after closing it. He was back a minute later, his expression neutral. He stopped by the sofa and met my eyes, frowning a little when he noticed I hadn’t moved.

“Why are you over there?”

I fidgeted, feeling out of place at that moment.

“You’ve been acting weird since you picked me up, and I don’t know what’s wrong.”

His expression softened a fraction.

“Come here.”

I didn’t want to obey him, but my feet moved all the same as if they were trained to instinctively respond to his commands. I cursed them internally, knowing they wouldn’t listen to me even if I told them to stop. The truth was, I wanted to be near him. I wanted him to hold me and kiss me like he couldn’t breathe without me. When he did, it reassured me he was right there, wanting me as much as I craved him.

When I stood in front of him, Gil placed his hand on my shoulder and made me sit down on the sofa. He sat in front of me on the wooden coffee table before taking one of my hands and holding it between his. I almost sighed at the contact, wanting to lean into it.

“I have to tell you something.”

The note of concern in his voice made me swallow.

“You do?”

He inclined his head, those dark eyes of his growing sombre.

“Is it to do with us?”

“No. Not exactly.”

Well, at least that was somewhat reassuring. I didn’t think he was about to break up with me, but you never knew with Gil what he was thinking.

“Okay. Well, I’m listening.”

He squeezed my hand.

“I spoke to Zayn today about the letters, and their attempt at getting you since it’s his building and I had reason to believe someone helped them get in. The thing is, Theia, Zayn knows who is behind the sex trafficking ring.”

My hand shook in his.

“Zayn knows? Why does he know? H-how?”