Page 83 of Titan

“Isn’t it? Putting bodyguards on me twenty-four-seven isn’t slightly excessive?”

I got up off the sofa and stared down at her. Did she think I was trying to restrict her freedom? It was the last thing I wanted, but Theia clearly didn’t understand the world I lived in. This wasn’t only about the people who were after her. The shit going on with my cousin’s missing shipments and dead bodies made everything about my life precarious.

“Do you know why I killed those men last night?”

She crossed her arms over her chest.

“No, you didn’t exactly explain that part.”

“I’ve had two dead bodies turn up on my doorstep in the past few weeks. Both of them were my cousins’ men. Someone is trying to pit me against them. If they find out about you, there is no telling what they will do to get to me. That’s the reality of my life.” I reached up and stroked her cheek. “I’m not trying to rescue you from anything. You don’t need saving. Is it so wrong I want to keep you safe until I can find out who the fuck these sex traffickers are and deal with the mess between me and my cousins?”

She blinked, then frowned.

“You want to find the men who took me?”

“Yes. Did you think I was just going to stick my men on you and not deal with the source of the problem?”

“Maybe.”

I almost shook my head. I should have explained that part to her when telling her about the protection detail.

“I don’t want to restrict your freedom, nor do I want you to be a mafia wife. I don’t believe in that shit. You’re my equal, not subservient or a trophy to have on my arm.”

She looked at the floor and dragged her toe across the rug.

“Now I feel stupid again.”

“Why?”

“I should have known you weren’t trying to restrict me.” She rubbed her arms. “This is new for me, having someone care about my safety and accepting me for everything I am. And it’s all happening so fast. One minute, I had no idea you even liked me. Now we’re talking about being in a relationship, and I’m getting stuck with bodyguards because of all the shit going on in both our lives. It’s a lot, Gil, it’s just… a lot.”

I hated the defeated look in her eyes. This was a lot for me too. I didn’t know how to navigate a relationship with a woman. It was a terrifying prospect in all honesty, but Theia was worth it.

“Am I allowed to hold you?”

“Yes,” she whispered, “you don’t have to ask.”

I tugged her against my chest and stroked her back. She sighed and buried her face in my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Do you have to work today?”

“Not until this evening.”

“Then you can come with me and I’ll take you to the club before your shift later.”

I didn’t want to leave her here alone today when she was feeling a little fragile over everything that had happened.

“Come with you where?”

“I have to deal with things at my headquarters.”

She pulled away, making me drop my arms from around her.

“Won’t I be in the way?”

“No.”

“Can I grab a shower and finish my breakfast first?”

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