Page 115 of The Loathing

“How did you get the scar?” I ask before my brain catches up.

“Why did your wife leave?”

My eyes widen and I scoff, “I was waiting for that one, anything else you want to know?”

“I know everything about you Titty.”

“Scar?”

“A brawl.”

“With?”

“No one important,” and I can tell by his tone that it is someone important.

After a minute or two I answer his question. “I have no idea why… gave up asking that question a long time ago.”

I hear Xavier sigh. “For the record…” he clears his throat, sitting back in his office chair and linking his fingers together, “I tried looking for her, I tried seeing if I could find anything that may have given you answers but…”

“I appreciate it,” I give him a firm nod, cutting him off. And it’s the truth. I did but that part of my life is over.

He nods back and I feel like we both have a mutual understanding.

“So, plan?”

“Mate, get off my case,” he rolls his eyes in an over exaggerated manner and before I can answer the door swings open and his expression softens so I know it’s Royal.

“Titus, would you like another drink? A cold compress for your bruising cheek and eye?” Royal asks.

“I would like a drink, I’m parched,” Xavier pipes up but she just ignores him as if he isn’t in the room and I roll my lips, trying to hold off my laugh.

“I’ll take a water if that’s okay?” I smile at her, and she takes my coffee cup.

“Are you hungry?” she asks.

“Fucking famished,” Xavier answers but she doesn’t look in his direction.

“I am okay, thank you,” I turn to face Xavier and give him a wide grin.

“I’ll be back in just a moment with a water and cold compress,” she reaches forward and places her hand on my shoulder, and I hear the deep rumbling growl that vibrates through Xavier.

She turns and walks out of the room, slamming the door as she does.

“She is so annoyed with you,” a deep, throaty laugh escapes me but the more I try and hold it in, I can’t.

“I’m glad you find it amusing.”

“Oh, I do,” my head falls back as more laughter erupts from me.

“If you want to know the plan I suggest you shut the fuck up,” he shouts and I scoff, palming my cheek when I realise I have reduced myself to tears.

“Go on then, I’m all ears.”

CHAPTER FORTY

AMORA

It’s been three days since I last saw Titus and my heart is cracking a little more every day. Staring at my dark grey, violet and black painting it looks as depressed as I feel.

---